McMahon Careers has launched the new Certified Racquet Sports Management (CRSM) Certificate Program. This one-year, 270-hour virtual classroom, and 400-hour summer residency lab program, equips high school graduates with the education, knowledge, and understanding to take the first steps toward a wide range of career opportunities in the racquet sports industry.
While serving as a Director and observing other well-respected leaders, I quickly came to realize that they don’t always have the answer but possess a commitment to learn and seek out information.
If you are currently serving as a new Director of Racquet Sports, or you are on your way to the role, then my hope is that you find these lessons learned useful on your journey.
To help McMahon Careers serve young racquet sports professionals as they navigate their career path, McMahon Careers has engaged Ryan Johnson, JD, USPTA, CRSE to serve as the firm’s Young Racquet Sports Professionals Liaison. In his role, Ryan will connect with and support young racquet sports professionals who currently work, or aspire to work, as a Director of Racquet Sports. Johnson will also help young professionals identify relevant career-advancement opportunities when positions open, and help establish, curate, and maintain regular and relevant communication with young professionals through a variety of communication and outreach activities.
As humans, we spend our lives communicating, and as leaders we are expected to use thoughtful communication to convey messaging that’s easy to understand, allays concerns, and is constructive in nature. The most effective way to communicate is to keep in mind who you are communicating with—in other words, know your audience! We live in an unprecedented time in which our society is comprised of five generations—all shaped by the times in which they were raised. Each generation has communication style preferences that dictate how best to manage and effectively relate to them—both personally and professionally.
Interviews can be one of the most stressful and daunting experiences in your professional life. Anytime the unknown is obscure, there will always be indecision, doubt, intimidation, nervousness, and a feeling outside one’s comfort level.
To counter these characteristics, one should begin with the application process by gaining as much information on the position, the facility, and the hiring entity as you can. I am always amazed when a candidate has not properly researched the club/facility and properly prepared for the proces
The CRSE Program is a 10-month invitation-only intensive study and experiential continuing education program designed for certified tennis and racquet sports professionals who aspire to manage, administer, and direct a private club program more effectively, professionally, and confidently. Upon successful completion of the course work and 100-point exam, graduates receive the respected CRSE designation. Graduates who are also USPTA Members are awarded 22.5 USPTA Continuing Education Credits.
North Hills Club; located in Raleigh, NC, is pleased to announce the selection of Jason Kinder, USPTA Elite Professional, as the club’s new Director of Tennis. USPTA DIRECTORSEARCH Powered by McMahon|10s managed the search for the club. McMahon|10s president Mark McMahon, USPTA, and Search Consultant Tom Daglis, USPTA, worked with the club’s Interim General Manager, John Wilkening, CCM and the club’s search committee to select Kinder from among a national slate of exceptional candidates.
When applying for a position, you’ll be competing with professionals or similar skills and experience. The question is – “how do I stand among my competition”? One idea is to define yourself as a professional who is committed to mentoring, teaching and guiding other younger professionals in advancing their careers. This article by former USPTA President and Master Professional Will Hoag recently appeared in ADDvantage Magazine speaks about this opportunity to differentiate yourself as a professional, and help prepare the industry for the next generation of Directors.
A second was to stand out is to not leave one single opportunity out of your preparation. In this article, USPTA Vice President Bill Mountford speaks to the importance of certification in all racquet sports – including Platform Tennis, as a way to ensure that you compete as well as possible when applying for that next Director position.
In most clubs, the racquets program is working well until it isn't. If that happens, you will wish you spent more time getting to know the Racquets Department.
Most GMs of a full-amenity club spend time with their Chef and their F&B Department by spending time "working the dining room" or "helping in the kitchen." It is widespread, if not expected, that the GM spends time with their Superintendent on the golf course--what GM hasn't heard; "The golf course is our greatest asset." A good GM walks the buildings with their facilities engineer often to address issues. A good GM spends time with the Golf Pro.
How much time does a GM spend with the Director of Racquets? "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." I have been guilty of this as a GM. Many times the racquets program is located in a separate building and "runs itself." As a GM, or as an aspiring GM, I recommend you spend an equal amount of time with the Director of Racquets as you do with your other department heads.
Noticing I was not spending a similar amount of time with the racquets program, I changed my ways. There are so many ways to stay involved with what is going on “down at tennis”, but here is what I suggest:
Weekly lunches with the Director of Racquets
Take lessons (in off times) with some of the teaching pros.
Learn about the member experience--. Does the booking process work efficiently? What does the member experience walking onto, and leaving the courts?
Get to know the Pros better.
Show up one day for your scheduled lesson without a racquet. Does the professional provide one that is in good condition?
Add the racquet events to your calendar.
Make a point to drop in on several member events.
Attend the Committee meetings (if you don't already).
Many GMs already do many of these actions, and that is great. But, a General Manager will spend a significant portion of their time putting out fires or dealing with problems that they never have enough time to get as involved, as they desire, with all the departments. The benefit far outweighs the time invested.
Take this entire thought process and flip it to the Director of Racquets (or aspiring DoR). Does your GM spend time in your department? If not, how do you get him/her more involved? Perhaps tell them you would like a fresh set of eyes on the shop's layout, teaching style, Kids Camp brochure, etc. Everything that I have mentioned that a GM should be doing, a Director of Racquets should want their GM to do. GMs (like most humans) are creatures of habit. Help them create new habits that include racquets. As a Director of Racquets, how much time do you spend in the GM's office? If the buildings are separated, how much time do you spend in the other building? Are you changing your habits? Do you ask for 30 minutes of your GM's time a week to catch up? Do you only venture to the "main building" once a year for budget discussion?
Ultimately the goal is for both the General Manager and the Director of Racquets to have a substantial relationship where each can depend on the other and understand how their action affects the other. I often hear from General Managers that they are frustrated when they feel blindsided by a situation. Nobody wants to listen to a voicemail, read an email, or be standing in front of a member discussing a situation where they have absolutely no knowledge. A healthy and robust relationship with all department heads is the best way to solve this challenge. I would always appreciate a late-night text from my Director of Racquets saying Mrs. Smith complained about the lights out in the parking lot, over having Mr. Smith ask me the following morning if I knew the lights were out in the parking lot. Do you have a relationship with your GM where you can send that text at midnight? Does your Director of Tennis know to send that text at midnight?
The tennis and racquet sports industry has changed rapidly as a result of COVID Professionals, and particularly directors who have remained successful over the past year have had to stay ahead of these changes by being more engaged in their business, and practicing some basic concepts that are relevant to any industry.
Seagate Country Club; located in Delray Beach, FL, is pleased to announce the selection of John Phillips as the new Director of Tennis and Racquets. The team at McMahon | 10s; led by president, Mark McMahon, USPTA Master Professional, and supported by Executive Search Consultant Stefan Laporte, USPTA Elite Professional, led the search and worked with the club’s General Manager, Karl Bublitz, PGA, to select Phillips from among a national slate of candidates.
“It was a delight to have worked with GM Karl Bublitz at Seagate Country Club and to support John throughout the selection process,” says McMahon | 10s President, Mark McMahon. Phillips makes the move to Seagate following his tenure as Director of Tennis at The Bay Club in Mattapoisett, MA. Prior to his time at the Bay Club, he spent time as Head Tennis Professional at Timuquana Country Club, The Beach Club, and Burning Tree Country Club, respectively.
Phillips is a proud USPTA Member and brings thirteen years of diverse training and experience to his role at Seagate. He is a personable, outgoing, and respectful leader who has a passion for teaching and developing players. He looks forward to working with the membership to grow the club’s programming. He will be joining in early October.
Gulf Stream Bath and Tennis Club located in Delray Beach, FL, is pleased to announce the selection of Denzil Pieters as the new Director of Tennis. The team at McMahon | 10s; led by president, Mark McMahon, USPTA Master Professional, and supported by Executive Search Consultant Stefan Laporte, USPTA Elite Professional, led the search and worked with the club’s search committee and General Manager Mike Territo, CCM to select Pieters from among a national slate of candidates. “It was a pleasure to have worked with Gulf Stream Bath and Tennis Club and support Denzil Pieters throughout the selection process,” says McMahon | 10s President, Mark McMahon.
A native of South Africa, Pieters comes to Gulf Stream Bath & Tennis from neighboring Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton where he spent the past several years as Head Professional. Prior to his time in Florida, he spent nearly a decade in New York City-area clubs. Pieters brings an extremely talented skillset and wonderful demeanor both on and off the court. He is an excellent and professional communicator who looks forward to working with the membership and tennis committee to grow Gulf Stream’s tennis program and create new offerings. Denzil assumes his new role in late May.
McMahon | 10s President, Mark McMahon, USPTA Master Professional, presented at the Southern Business Workshop in Atlanta. You can watch his presentation by clicking on the image. The title of Mark’s presentation is The Purposeful Development of Your Career Pathway.
Before launching his tennis consulting practice in 2008, McMahon served for over 20 years as Director of Tennis for two of America’s largest private club tennis programs, at Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton, FL and at Dunwoody Country Club, in Dunwoody, GA.
McMahon’s presentation is a must for all tennis professionals intent on being proactive in taking the next step in their careers. Titled “The Purposeful Development of Your Career Pathway”, Mark will guide attendees through the specific actions they can take now, that will help them prepare to compete for their next professional opportunity.
This presentation is all about taking action and doing everything possible to manage your career pathway.
Email: Information@mcmahoncareers.com
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