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Insights Library — All Posts by Category
Explore the Racquet Sports Institute Insights Library—a single place for decision-grade analysis, benchmarks, and practical playbooks. Because no courts, no players, our content keeps facilities at the center while connecting market signals to design and day-to-day operations. You’ll find deep dives on ecosystem trends and country developments, proven facility models, smart management (planning, community, programming, operations tech), architecture that turns strategy into built performance, updates on our forthcoming AI.
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Pickleball - What Recreational Players Really Spend
The Racquet Sports Institute’s second article breaks down what recreational pickleball players actually spend in the US and Europe. It covers five buckets—court access, memberships, equipment, coaching, and competition. Because many public courts are free, monthly costs can be near zero; community centers charge small drop-in fees, while premium indoor clubs offer ~$120–$160 unlimited plans. Typical budgets range from $0–$50 at parks to ~$144/month at upscale clubs.
Participation is the growth engine — Sport Industry Report 2025
Sport Industry Report 2025 spotlights participation as the primary growth driver. The funnel widens to include wellness and everyday movement, not just formal sport. Durable growth depends on clear grassroots-to-elite pathways and inclusive venue design. Gen Z behaviors and creator-led media act as acquisition gateways, while tech blends physical and digital experiences. Policy and capital are converging on mass-participation projects; content must be strategic to convert and
Levelling the Playing Field - Why Matchmaking Matters
Racquet sports thrive on social play, but pairing players of equal skill is the linchpin. Clubs use four approaches: staff-led introductions, digital apps that auto-match, grassroots WhatsApp/Facebook groups, and structured leagues, ladders and rating nights. Tech is promising yet early, and level definitions vary by sport and country. Facilities win by blending human touch and tools while pushing toward portable, universal ratings.
Padel - What Recreational Players Really Spend
Series opener from the Racquet Sports Institute on costs for recreational players. We break down court access, memberships, equipment, coaching and competition across Europe and the U.S. for padel. As court supply grows, prices fall—key for facility planning. Location and frequency drive spend.
From Squash Facilities Network to the Racquet Sports Institute: a bigger stage, a bolder mission
The Squash Facility Network evolves into the Racquet Sports Institute, expanding proven playbooks from squash to padel and pickleball. Facilities get cross-sport operating cadence, KPIs, staffing and program templates, investor-grade capital frameworks, and an AI model tailored to racquet sports. Backed by 30+ years and 500+ facilities in 60+ countries, the Institute turns benchmarks into daily behavior to lift utilization, yield, and member experience. For operators, investo
Organizing Summer Camps: A Club Manager’s Playbook
Summer camps are a proven, portable revenue engine for clubs. This playbook covers one-week formats, age/skill segmentation, and day vs. overnight models. Schedule 9:00–16:00 to protect peak hours. Keep ratios tight (max four per court), use assistants and guest coaches, and hold limited drop-ins. Price in the high hundreds; 20 campers at $600 ≈ $12k per week. Track fill rate, revenue per court-hour, re-enrollment, and conversions. Model transfers to padel and pickleball. Add
ASB Glass Floors: Slip Resistance — A Deep Dive after the London Classic
Referees and players report slips on the ASB GlassFloor at pro events, especially when sweat pools near the T. Tribology explains why squash needs micro-texture; wood courts restore grip by re-sanding. Experts flag possible micro-abrasion on glass; ASB denies wear, citing MSquash and pointing to humidity plus planned heating/ventilation. PSA says it’s reviewing feedback to ensure safe, fair conditions. Read the full analysis of standards and safety details here.
Summer Camps—It’s Not Just Summer Training—It’s a Junior Pipeline Engine
At Squash On Fire, summer camps turn idle daytime courts into revenue and build a junior pipeline without disrupting evening play. Programs span from fun, activity-based sessions for kids to high-performance weeks led by top coaches, with a clear management focus on measurable outcomes. Fact: the financial target is $150k per season. Camps consistently convert participants into year-round academy members and offer a scalable model across racquet sports.
The Quiet Revolution: How Kanzy El Defrawy is Reinventing Squash in the UAE
After an injury ended her pro career, Kanzy El Defrawy arrived in Dubai seeking anonymity and found a city full of squash courts but no system. She built The Flying Daf Academy from scratch, pushed for federation pathways, educated parents, and expanded to 12 sites. Next comes a true home: a seven-court hub inside the green-financed AllSports Arena in Al Quoz, opening Dec 2025/early 2026—uniting training, leagues, and national ambitions.
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