In the Trenches: Archie Bunker Lives – Sexism & Ageism in the Racquet Sports Industry

In the Trenches: Archie Bunker Lives – Sexism & Ageism in the Racquet Sports Industry

It’s been more than 50 years since All in the Family introduced America to Archie Bunker, the stubborn, old-school patriarch whose outdated beliefs often clashed with a changing world. While we laugh at reruns and marvel at how far society has progressed, the uncomfortable truth is that Archie’s mindset is alive and well in the racquet and paddle sports industry.

Sexism and ageism continue to stifle the growth and retention of talented coaches, particularly women and younger professionals. At a time when we must do everything possible to reach the USTA’s ambitious goal of 35 million tennis players by 2035, the industry cannot afford to sideline capable coaches simply because they don’t fit outdated norms.

The “10 & Under” Ceiling for Women and Young Coaches

One of the most persistent issues in our industry is how women and younger coaches are often relegated to 10 & Under tennis programs, never given the opportunity to move into higher levels of coaching. These professionals frequently become pigeonholed, labeled as “kid coaches” rather than seen as experts who can develop high-performance juniors, collegiate players, and adults alike. The burn-out rate is high and they end up leaving the industry,

While 10 & Under programs are critical to growing the sport, talented coaches—regardless of gender or age—should have pathways to advance into all levels of coaching. However, the old boys' club mentality in many clubs and organizations restricts these opportunities. Veteran male coaches dominate high-performance and adult programming, while women and younger coaches are told they "belong" with the kids. This systemic bias not only limits their career growth but also deprives players of diverse coaching perspectives.

Creating Pathways for Advancement

To break this cycle, clubs, governing bodies, and coaching organizations must actively utilize pathways for all coaches to progress or create them if needed. This means:

• Establishing structured mentorship programs (where they don’t exist) where young and female coaches can learn from experienced professionals and gain exposure to different levels of coaching. Kudos to the USTA Jason Allen and Simon Gale for starting the Apprenticeship Program in Orlando. All the tennis coaching and paddle organizations need to follow suit.

• Encouraging equal hiring and promotion opportunities that allow all coaches to move beyond 10 & Under tennis if they desire.

• Implementing transparent evaluation criteria for career advancement to ensure that talent, not stereotypes, dictates opportunities.

Coaching Education: Enhancing On-Court Skills

A common excuse for keeping women and younger coaches in beginner programs is the claim that they lack the experience or knowledge to handle more advanced levels. However, instead of sidelining these professionals, organizations should invest in coaching education programs that enhance their on-court skills and provide them with the tools to deliver high-quality instruction at every level.

By prioritizing continuing education—covering everything from player development strategies to biomechanics, athletic foundation, mental conditioning, and the business of racquet sports—we can ensure that every coach, regardless of gender or age, is fully equipped to offer the best experience to players. The USTA, PTR, and RSPA must take the lead in making these resources widely available and accessible.

Dismantling the Archie Bunker Mentality

The Archie Bunker attitude—where the “good old boys” run the show and dismiss progressive change—continues to plague our sport. If we allow sexism and ageism to persist, we risk losing an entire generation of bright, passionate coaches who could help drive the sport’s future.

Instead of holding onto outdated traditions, industry leaders must ask themselves: Are we creating an environment where all coaches can thrive? Are we actively removing barriers to advancement? Are we doing everything possible to make racquet and paddle sports inclusive, progressive, and appealing as a long-term career?

If the answer to any of these is "no," then it’s time for a change. It’s time to move past the Archie Bunker era and embrace a future where coaching talent is recognized, nurtured, and valued—regardless of gender or age.

Final Thoughts

Reaching 35 million tennis players by 2035 requires a strong coaching pipeline. That pipeline will dry up if we continue alienating the very professionals we need to retain. The solution isn’t complicated: Open doors. Provide opportunities. Support education. And, most importantly, reject the outdated mentalities that are holding our industry back.

Tennis and paddle sports have evolved. It’s time for our coaching culture to do the same.