{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Racquet Fuel","title":"Is Tennis Endangered, with the Rise of Pickleball and Padel? - featuring Mike Barrell","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2102,"description":"In this episode of the Racquet Fuel Podcast, Kim Bastable and Simon Gale have an engaging conversation with Mike Barrell about the evolution of racquet sports, particularly the impact of pickleball and padel on traditional tennis. Mike brings over 20 years of experience in the tennis industry, sharing his unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities presented by these complementary sports.\nThey discuss the economic considerations that are reshaping tennis facilities, the importance of fostering social engagement in sports, and how coaches play a crucial role in building a thriving tennis community. Throughout the discussion, the focus remains on the need for tennis to innovate and adapt while staying true to its core identity.\nEpisode Highlights:\nHow the rise of pickleball and padel presents both opportunities and challenges for tennis\nEconomic viability and how clubs can balance costs with offering complementary racquet sports\nWhy social engagement is key to retaining tennis players and how programming can support this\nThe crucial role of coaches in connecting players and fostering community in tennis\nThe 'leaky bucket' problem in tennis retention and how to address it\nPickleball's success in accessibility and social play - what tennis can learn\nThe need for tennis to innovate and compete with pickleball's marketing success\nLooking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/StOyLHxRkk1NLWb3MSXOJmJmVSBzb89zIuOk_jvxTZ4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQxNTA5LzE2OTYw/MDYyOTAtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}