USTA Florida’s new Public Tennis Park Fellowship program has officially welcomed its first two fellows, Dana Balsley and Sergio Peralta, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter in the development of the next generation of public tennis leaders.
The Fellowship, a two-year paid training program, is designed to prepare passionate tennis professionals to manage and expand public facilities across the state. Through hands-on experience at USTA Florida-managed locations, fellows gain the skills necessary to lead, with both field expertise and strong business acumen.
Dana Balsley is a PTR-certified tennis coach, wheelchair tennis community coach-trainer, and aspiring high-performance player. She started her tennis journey with Cardio Tennis at the iconic Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, during a work and holiday stay. After taking a break from the sport, she reignited her passion in Miami in the spring of 2024 and quickly turned to coaching, where she has found fulfillment serving her community while continuing her own training.
Dana now combines extensive on-field practice with coaching juniors and adults, combining her personal development with teaching others. With a background in fitness and a growing focus on sports performance, she brings both technical knowledge and experience to her coaching. Through the USTA Florida Fellowship, she wants to create more opportunities for players at all levels to enjoy and grow the game.
Sergio Peralta, originally from Argentina, started playing tennis at age 11 and moved to Florida at age 14, where he competed on his high school team. He earned a bachelor’s degree in public safety management and applied science in emergency management from Miami Dade College. He recently completed a coaching internship in Rome with the Global Professional Tennis Coach Association and is currently an active tennis coach in Central Florida.
Sergio has trained as a coach all over the world and recently completed an internship in Rome with the Global Professional Tennis Coach Association (GPTCA). He is certified as an RSPA and USTA instructor and currently coaches in Central Florida, where he is committed to helping players grow through discipline, motivation and fun.
As inaugural fellows, Dana and Sergio embody the mission of the USTA Florida Public Tennis Park Fellowship to develop and empower future leaders who will support and strengthen public tennis across the state. Through their passion, curiosity and dedication, they are already helping ensure that the next generation of Floridians will have vibrant, welcoming places to play.
More information about the program can be found at ustaflorida.com/fellowship.
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