CourtReserve Unscripted with Ashley Owens

CourtReserve

Real talk with the leaders shaping tennis and pickleball. In CourtReserve Unscripted, Ashley sits down with club owners, pros, and industry insiders for unfiltered conversations on growing your club, trends in racquet sports, and what’s really happening in the business of tennis and pickleball.

  1. 2D AGO

    Certifications, Coaching & Career Growth | Joni Hannah, Executive Director of RSPA Mid-Atlantic

    In this episode of Unscripted, Ashley sits down with Joni Hannah, Executive Director of RSPA Mid-Atlantic, to discuss what’s ahead for racquet sports professionals in 2026 and beyond.Joni shares how the USPTA’s transition to the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) reflects the evolution of today’s multi-sport landscape, including tennis, pickleball, platform tennis, and padel. The conversation also explores how RSPA Mid-Atlantic is building momentum leading into the organization’s 100-year anniversary in 2027.From upcoming conferences and certifications to the value of in-person networking, career longevity, and expanding opportunities for women in coaching, this conversation covers it all.Topics covered in this episode:✅ RSPA Mid-Atlantic Annual Conference in Vienna, Virginia✅ Tennis, pickleball, platform tennis, and padel certifications through RSPA✅ Coaching education and professional development for racquet sports professionals✅ Why in-person conferences and networking matter for career growth✅ The evolution of racquet sports beyond tennis, including pickleball and padel✅ How equipment technology is impacting performance and coaching✅ Encouraging more women in tennis and racquet sports coaching✅ Career paths in racquet sports beyond traditional on-court coaching rolesWhether you’re a tennis pro, pickleball coach, club director, or racquet sports professional, this episode offers valuable insight into where the industry is heading and how you can stay ahead.Upcoming events:RSPA Mid-Atlantic Conference – February 27–28, Vienna, VASubscribe for more conversations with industry leaders shaping the future of racquet sports.Visit the RSPA website here: https://rspa.net/mid-atlantic-division-conference/Learn about upcoming industry events here: https://courtreserve.com/events/

    12 min
  2. 6D AGO

    Why Racquet Sports Coaches Need a Network | Shaun Boyce, CEO of the ARA & GoTennis Co-Founder

    What does the future of racket sports really look like for coaches, club operators, and industry leaders?In this episode of CourtReserve Unscripted, we’re joined by Shaun Boyce, CEO of the American Racket Sports Association (ARA), Co-Founder of GoTennis, and Host of the GoTennis Podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation on how tennis, pickleball, and multi-sport careers are evolving — and what clubs and professionals need to do to keep up.Shaun shares the story behind the transformation of the Georgia Professional Tennis Association (GPTA) into the American Racket Sports Association (ARA) — a nationwide professional networking organization built to support tennis coaches, pickleball professionals, club managers, and racquet sports leaders across the country.In this episode, we cover: Why tennis and pickleball coaching is no longer a side gig, but rather a real, high-earning career pathHow coaches transition into club management, leadership, marketing, and technology rolesThe growing demand for multi-sport certifications and cross-discipline experienceWhat professional networking actually looks like in modern racquet sportsWhy many clubs still struggle with outdated processes — and what’s changingThe role of CourtReserve and other modern club management software in improving operations and creating frictionless player experiencesWhat 2026 and beyond looks like for tennis clubs, pickleball facilities, and coaching careersWhether you’re running a club, building a coaching career, or evaluating technology to modernize your operation, this episode offers practical insight into where the racket sports industry is headed — and how to prepare for what’s next.Learn about the ARA here: https://americanracketsportsassociati...Listen to the GoTennis podcast: https://letsgotennis.com/gotennis-pod...

    28 min
  3. FEB 13

    College Tennis Life & the Pickleball Boom | Jack Davis, Portfolio Ops Manager at Mainsail Partners

    In this episode of CourtReserve Unscripted, Ashley Owens talks with Jack Davis, former University of Washington NCAA tennis player and Portfolio Operations Manager at (CourtReserve investment partner) Mainsail Partners (https://mainsailpartners.com/team-member/jack-davis/), about the real path from junior tennis to college competition — and what today’s tennis and pickleball boom means for clubs, coaches, and players.Jack shares what it really takes to become a college tennis player: early development, multi-sport training, the recruiting process, navigating junior tournaments, and the mental side of competing at a high level.The conversation also tackles some of the biggest questions in today’s racquet-sports world:✅ Will tennis or pickleball be more popular in 5 years?✅ Should juniors specialize early — or play multiple sports?✅ How does pickleball help (or irritate!) lifelong tennis players?✅ Why red ball, adult beginner programs, and community-focused clubs matter more than ever.Ashley and Jack also chat about coaching, club culture, player development, and how platforms like CourtReserve help. Learn how racquet clubs thrive as the industry transforms.Topics Covered:✅ Life as a University of Washington NCAA tennis player✅ Singles vs doubles development and team environment✅ Considering pro tennis vs. college tennis✅ Pickleball growth and how it intersects with tennis✅ How CourtReserve supports clubs, coaches & players✅ The future of multi-sport racquet clubsWatch now and join the conversation!www.courtreserve.com

    25 min
  4. FEB 6

    How to Build a Sustainable Pickleball & Racquet Sports Club | Devan Egan, Founder of Club Mastermind

    In this episode of Unscripted, Ashley sits down with Club Pickleball USA and Club Mastermind Founder Devan Egan to break down what’s actually happening in the pickleball club business.They dig into the uncomfortable truth behind recent club closures, the revenue mistakes new operators keep repeating, and the models that help thriving facilities scale sustainably. If you’re opening a pickleball facility, expanding locations, or trying to stabilize margins, this conversation is for you.This conversation is especially relevant if you’re planning a new pickleball facility, running an existing club, or evaluating how to scale without relying on assumptions.What you’ll learn:✅ The current state of pickleball growth (players, money, and market shifts)✅ Why so many new pickleball clubs fail—and what successful clubs do differently✅ The surprising range of pickleball player types and why “one-size-fits-all programming” doesn’t work✅ Annual vs. monthly memberships: why annual pricing often wins for long-term revenue stability✅ How top operators build break-even models around court utilization, not memberships✅ What attendees really learn at Club Mastermind (and why clubs keep coming back!)✅ How CourtReserve helps racquet sports facilities scale with automation, reservations, and paymentsLearn more about Club Mastermind: https://www.clubpickleballmastermind.com/joinLet CourtReserve help you with all your racquet sports club needs: https://courtreserve.com

    20 min
  5. FEB 2

    ITA Coaches Convention Overview | Whitney Wofford, Senior Director of External Engagement

    In this episode, we sit down with Whitney Wofford, Senior Director of External Engagement at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), for an inside look at the upcoming ITA Coaches Convention in Tempe, Arizona. Whitney walks through what college coaches and programs can expect at this year’s event — from on-court training to education sessions, networking opportunities, and how the ITA supports college tennis year-round. We also touch on how CourtReserve fits into the college tennis space — helping campuses manage public play, faculty rentals, and simplified court scheduling.In this conversation, we cover:✅ What the ITA is and who it serves: 3,000+ college tennis coaches across D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO✅ Event details: December 5–7 in Tempe, hosted at Arizona State University.✅ Convention schedule highlights: on-court coaching sessions, classroom education, vendor showcase, and evening events✅ How the ITA governs college tennis, including rankings, rules, and tournament oversight✅ Who typically attends the convention: a mix of newcomer coaches and seasoned leaders across divisions✅ Community-building events: prize money tournament, happy hour, pickleball, pints & pizza, and more✅ How college programs use CourtReserve to manage faculty clubs, community access, and public court reservations✅ Examples of schools using CourtReserve, including ‪@dukeuniversity‬ Faculty Club, @universityofutah , @idahostateu and @universityofwyomingWhether you’re a college coach, athletic department leader, facility director, or connected to the college tennis space, this episode gives a clear, practical overview of what the ITA Coaches Convention offers and how it brings the tennis community together each year.Learn more about this event here: https://wearecollegetennis.com/ita-co... See other events CourtReserve is attending: https://courtreserve.com/events/

    15 min
  6. 11/19/2025

    CourtReserve Founder & CEO Tim Owens Speaks on Growth Without Losing Culture | Unscripted Podcast

    After nearly a decade of being proudly bootstrapped, CourtReserve is taking the next step in its journey. In this episode of Unscripted, CourtReserve Founders Tim Owens and Ashley Owens discuss the company’s new partnership with a growth investor and what it means for the future of club management software. Tim shares a transparent look into how CourtReserve is fueling growth while protecting the people-first culture that defines the brand. He also talks about the lessons learned from nearly 10 years of leading a fast-growing tech company, building community in the racquet sports industry, and maintaining trust with customers every step of the way. In this candid and unscripted conversation, Tim opens up about:✅ What it means to take on a growth partner after 9.5 years bootstrapped✅ How CourtReserve plans to scale while protecting its people-first culture✅ Insights into the future of pickleball, tennis, and racquet club technology✅ How Tim and Ashley balance marriage, leadership, and company growth✅ Why listening to customers and creating “raving fans” remains at the heart of their successWhether you’re a club owner, racquet sports director, or tech founder, this conversation delivers authentic insights on leadership, growth, and staying true to your values as you scale.Subscribe for more Unscripted stories from the people shaping the future of racquet sports.Read about CourtReserve’s new partnership with Mainsail Partners: https://courtreserve.com/scaling-courtreserve-with-mainsail-partners/ Learn more about CourtReserve: https://courtreserve.com

    20 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Real talk with the leaders shaping tennis and pickleball. In CourtReserve Unscripted, Ashley sits down with club owners, pros, and industry insiders for unfiltered conversations on growing your club, trends in racquet sports, and what’s really happening in the business of tennis and pickleball.