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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.
From Gold Medals to Grassroots: Yes—Sport Policy Is Pivoting
For decades, sport policy meant funding elite athletes to chase Olympic and major games medals. That model is cracking. Governments from the UK to Australia and Canada now prioritise grassroots participation, health, and inclusion. The IOC’s own reforms—gender parity, citizen events like the “Marathon Pour Tous,” and school programs—underscore this shift. International Federations that embrace participation will thrive; those stuck on medals risk losing funding, hosts, and pu
From Court Time to Well-Being: Why Racquet Clubs Should Double Down on Wellness
Wellness is no longer a spa add-on but a growth driver for racquet clubs. The Global Wellness Institute’s microtrend report shows younger players seek social recovery, better sleep, and mental fitness alongside court time. From social sauna culture to sleep-smart facilities and evidence-based recovery, wellness widens reach, boosts loyalty, and smooths utilization. For tennis, squash, padel, and pickleball venues, the post-match experience may be as decisive as the match itse
New Insights Redefine the Future of Padel in the United States
The 2025 State of Padel in the US Report highlights the sport’s rapid rise and unique U.S. trajectory. While infrastructure lags behind Europe, growth is accelerating with indoor-first expansion, smart club models, and surging equipment sales. Unified competition structures and the World Padel Rating are bringing order to the market. Yet challenges remain—especially coaching gaps and risks of overbuilding. For investors and operators, disciplined strategy is key.
Michelle Martin’s Vision: Squash for Everyone in Australia
Australia’s squash revival hinges on shifting from aging, privately owned courts to council-run, multi-sport hubs. Michelle Martin shows how advocacy through state bodies unlocks funding and access. Case studies: a like-for-like rebuild at North Manly (still just three courts) and a push for Willoughby’s private centre to become a community racquet hub. Aligned with ASC’s Play Well strategy, plans should prioritise informal play, modular design and 4–6 court clusters.
Eighteen Minutes: Sport’s Fight for Fan Attention
Sport is competing in the attention economy. Red Torch finds fans give roughly 18 minutes of daily social time to sport while hundreds of thousands of accounts fight for it. Passion doesn’t equal consumption; relevance must be earned. The winners create participation through authentic communities, agile club partnerships and culture-led events, and by entering the wellness conversation. Measuring minutes of attention becomes the benchmark for sponsorship value and long-term g
Padel and Pickleball: A new systematic review examined the affect on mental health
Padel and pickleball are more than trending racket sports—they offer distinct mental health benefits for players. A 2025 systematic review highlights that pickleball boosts life satisfaction, happiness, and social connection, particularly in seniors. Padel enhances self-confidence and reduces anxiety among competitive players but increases mental fatigue. Club operators can leverage these findings to optimize programs and improve member wellbeing.
Elite Squash as a driver of squash development: Victor Crouin’s perspective
French No. 1 Victor Crouin shares how high-level squash can drive the sport’s growth. From inspiring youth and families to leveraging media visibility, he stresses the role of passionate coaches, strategic promotion, and outdoor courts. For Crouin, elite squash isn’t a magic fix, but a powerful tool when used wisely — creating a virtuous circle between grassroots participation and top-level performance.
LA28 Awards Venue Naming Rights for First Time in Olympics Games History
For the first time in Olympic and Paralympic history, LA28 introduces venue naming rights, unlocking a new commercial model for the Games. Comcast Squash Center at Universal Studios will host Squash’s Olympic debut, while Honda Center in Anaheim retains its name to host Volleyball. These groundbreaking partnerships with Comcast and Honda mark a milestone in LA28’s mission for privately funded, innovative Games. Additional partners are expected as the countdown continues.
Racquet Sports at the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta
The 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta strategically features squash due to its logistical fit and sustainable venue use. Badminton, historically significant but requiring greater resources, is excluded temporarily. Emerging sports like padel and pickleball await wider adoption before potential inclusion, reflecting careful strategic decisions balancing tradition, sustainability, and local capabilities.
PSA Squash Tour Prize Money Up 18% to Record $12.5M Following 2024-25 Season
The PSA Squash Tour hit a historic high in 2024-25 with $12.5M in player compensation, marking an 18.4% rise from the previous season. This follows the rollout of a new tour structure aimed at long-term stability ahead of squash's LA28 Olympic debut. With 1,019 events across 70 countries and balanced earnings between top male and female players, the season reflects PSA’s commitment to global growth, financial equity, and athlete opportunity.
Sport Shops in Racquet Facilities: Adapting to the Online Challenge
Sports shops in racket facilities face challenges due to online competition. Shaun from Oliver emphasizes competitive pricing, honest advice, product testing, efficient service, essential accessories, profitable restringing services, and brand partnerships as crucial for success.
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