USTA Florida teamed up with USTA Coaching to host its first ever Women Coaching Workshop, marking an important milestone in the shared mission to grow the number of women coaches across the state. The event brought together female coaches, leaders, and mentors for a day of connection, learning, and empowerment, all focused on shaping the next generation of tennis professionals.
This collaboration between USTA Florida and USTA Coaching represents a new and united step toward building equity in the coaching landscape. By creating more opportunities for women to lead and mentor, both organizations are helping young players see themselves reflected in the sport.
Among those in attendance were USTA Florida’s Public Tennis Park Fellows, who are gaining hands-on experience in tennis management and leadership as part of their two-year fellowship program. For them, the workshop offered both inspiration and insight into the importance of representation in coaching.
“I believe more than anything it is the representation for our young female tennis players that is most crucial,” said Fellow Dana Balsley. “If a female player primarily has male tennis coaches as her role model, she may not ever truly visualize herself in the role as a coach. However, when she is exposed to other women coaches, it signals to her that pursuing a career as a coach is a totally achievable and realistic career path.”
Fellow Sergio Peralta also reflected on how visibility and opportunity can shape future generations. “I believe that actively creating opportunities for women to represent the coaching industry can have an immense impact not only for our youth, but also in society,” he said. “When I was growing up, I don’t recall seeing female coaches actively teaching on the courts.”
Peralta shared that seeing more women in leadership roles has already made a difference for his daughter, who recently participated in an all-girls camp. “It was refreshing seeing the interaction, and how my daughter feels at ease and engaged with a sense of respect and admiration,” he said.
USTA Florida aims to create an environment where more women can step into leadership positions and inspire the next generation of players. Women interested in exploring coaching pathways, professional development, or community opportunities can learn more by visiting ustaflorida.com/women-in-tennis.