As racquet sports continue their rapid growth in commercial activity and participation, a clear shift is emerging: coaching is becoming more formalized, credentialed, and performance-driven. What was once an ecosystem dominated by informal instruction and club-level clinics is evolving into a structured professional pathway, with standardized certifications, data-informed training, and defined player development models. From pickleball to padel, operators and brands are investing in education infrastructure to meet rising player expectations—and to ensure a consistent, scalable coaching standard across an increasingly competitive landscape.

This Week’s RADL Wire:

• Coaching

• Tennis Channel Record-Setting Coverage

• Centerline Athletics Taps NFL Hall Of Famer As Ambassador

COACHING

Selkirk Sport Launches Selkirk Academy, Setting a New Standard in Professional Pickleball Education

Selkirk Sport has introduced Selkirk Academy, a new training platform developed with Pickleball Coaching International, aimed at bringing a more structured, performance-focused approach to player development.

Debuting at Dink and Dine (Mesa, AZ) and The Fort (Fort Lauderdale), the Academy offers two-day, skill-specific camps—covering fundamentals, precision, power, and competition—moving away from broad, general instruction.

The model incorporates skill-based player grouping, personalized video analysis, and post-camp digital training, while also serving as a pathway for coach development through PCI certification programs—reflecting the sport’s continued professionalization.

RSPA Expands Padel Education with New Certification Program

As padel continues its rapid growth across the U.S., the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) has introduced an updated Padel Certification program designed to prepare coaches for emerging opportunities in the sport. Demand for qualified instructors is increasing as clubs and facilities expand programming, creating new career pathways for teaching professionals.

The certification is led by RSPA Head of Padel and Master Professional Marcos del Pilar, whose background spans international coaching, player development, and program design. The curriculum combines online coursework with in-person training, providing a blended learning format aimed at both aspiring and established racquet sports professionals. The program features several new modules focused on both on-court instruction and business operations. Upcoming dates include:

• MARCH 31- APRIL 1: PHILADELPHIA, PA at BALLERS

• APR 11- 12: WESTLAKE, FL at XCEL PADEL

• APRIL 30- MAY 1: CHICAGO, IL at CLUB PICKLE & PADEL

• JULY 4- 5: RALEIGH, NC at NORTHILLS CLUB

• JULY 11- 12: DALLAS, TX at PADEL 39 NORTH DALLAS

INDUSTRY NEWS

Tennis Channel Sets New Benchmark with Record-Breaking BNP Paribas Open Coverage

Tennis Channel delivered its largest audience in network history at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open, underscoring the continued surge in tennis consumption across both linear and digital platforms. The network reported a 39% year-over-year increase in total viewership, alongside record-setting streaming numbers, marking a new high-water mark for its multi-platform distribution strategy.

The growth extended beyond match coverage, with studio programming also seeing significant gains. TC Live, the network’s flagship pre- and post-match show, posted a 57% increase compared to 2025, reflecting stronger engagement across shoulder content and a broader appetite for always-on tennis coverage.

Pickleball Kingdom Expands New Jersey Footprint with Planned Woodbridge Club

Pickleball Kingdom is continuing its aggressive national buildout with a new indoor facility planned for Woodbridge, New Jersey, reinforcing the brand’s strategy of clustering high-end, climate-controlled venues in key regional markets. The project will be led by franchise partners Vidya R. and Vicky K., as the company deepens its presence across a state that has quickly emerged as a hotspot for indoor pickleball development.

Centerline Taps Terrell Owens to Accelerate Performance Positioning in Pickleball

Centerline Athletics is leaning into pickleball’s growing competitive identity, announcing a partnership with NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens as a brand ambassador in a move that blends elite athletic credibility with lifestyle-driven growth.

The agreement positions Owens as both a face of the brand and an active collaborator, highlighting Centerline’s performance apparel through curated on-court selections while also co-developing an exclusive product line slated for release later this year.