Women Who Rally: Building the Next Generation of Leaders in Racquet Sports
Twenty-two women. A shared commitment to growth. One powerful weekend at Saddlebrook Resort.
The inaugural Women Who Rally Leadership Retreat brought together women from around the world and across the racquet sports industry for two days of learning, reflection, honest conversation, and meaningful connection.
Created by PTR and PPR and led by leadership development experts Sarah McQuade and Linda Low, Women Who Rally is a nine-month leadership journey designed to help women strengthen their leadership capabilities, expand their professional networks, and create lasting impact within their organizations, communities, and the global racquet sports industry.
The in-person retreat marked an important milestone in that journey—and demonstrated what can happen when women leaders come together with openness, purpose, and a willingness to grow.
Exploring What It Means to Lead
Throughout the weekend, participants took part in interactive workshops, individual and group reflection activities, collaborative experiences, and thoughtful discussions about leadership.
The sessions encouraged participants to look inward and consider not only how they currently lead, but also the kind of leaders they want to become. They examined their strengths, identified opportunities for growth, and explored how stronger leadership can positively influence their teams and organizations.
“I’ve learned so much about myself as a leader,” said participant Lisa Pugliese-LaCroix. “In order to grow an organization, you really have to improve your leadership skills. And I learned so many valuable, important lessons this weekend.”
At the center of the program is the Women Who Rally Leadership Framework, which introduces nine leadership competencies that will guide the cohort throughout the program. More than a collection of individual skills, the framework serves as the foundation of the curriculum and connects every conversation, activity, and coaching experience.
Participants will continue using the framework to celebrate their strengths, recognize areas for development, and intentionally shape the leaders they want to become.
Creating a Community of Women Leaders
The weekend was about more than developing individual leadership skills. It was also about building a community.
Women from different countries, professional backgrounds, organizations, and racquet sports came together to share their experiences and learn from perspectives beyond their own. The honesty and generosity participants brought to those conversations quickly transformed a group of individuals into a connected network of women invested in one another’s success.
One message shared during the retreat captured that spirit: “Empowered women don’t just lead. They link arms and bring others with them.”
For participant Kristie, that message reflected one of the most meaningful parts of the experience.
“Being here this week just showed me that there are so many other women out there that I need to connect with,” she said. “I have been on my own in my journey—no mentors, nothing—and I have just learned how to be with other women and learn from their experiences.”
Leadership can sometimes feel isolating, particularly for women navigating roles or environments where they may not have established mentors or peers. Women Who Rally was created to help change that.
Through the program, participants now have a network they can turn to for advice, encouragement, accountability, and celebration. The cohort will continue connecting between sessions, asking questions, sharing successes, and supporting one another as they apply what they have learned.
An Experience Shaped by Its Participants
While the retreat included a carefully developed agenda, leadership framework, and series of activities, its success ultimately came from the women in the room.
Participants embraced each opportunity with curiosity, honesty, and generosity. They challenged themselves, supported one another, and contributed to conversations that exceeded the expectations Sarah and Linda had for the inaugural gathering.
“The openness you brought, the energy you shared, the quality of your conversations, and your willingness to challenge yourselves, support one another, and learn together created an environment that exceeded every expectation we had,” Sarah and Linda shared with the cohort following the retreat. “The success of this retreat wasn’t because of the agenda or the activities—it was because of you.”
That openness allowed the group to move beyond surface-level networking and create genuine relationships. Participants shared not only their accomplishments and ambitions, but also the challenges, questions, and moments of uncertainty that are part of every leadership journey.
Together, they created a space where women could be honest about where they are, confident about where they are going, and supported as they take their next steps.
Leading in a Sustainable Way
Another important focus of the retreat was sustainable leadership and the importance of protecting personal well-being.
Strong leadership is not only about how someone guides a team, grows an organization, or responds to challenges. It also requires self-awareness, healthy boundaries, and an understanding that leaders must prioritize their own well-being if they want to create a lasting impact.
Participants identified strategies they can begin putting into practice in their personal and professional lives. As the program continues, they will have opportunities to reflect on what is working, share what they are discovering, and support one another in developing leadership practices that are both effective and sustainable.
The Journey Continues
Although the in-person retreat has ended, the Women Who Rally journey is only beginning.
The cohort will come together again on August 19 for its next live session, “Leading with Greater Intention.” During that session, participants will continue strengthening their leadership capabilities and building on the ideas introduced during the retreat.
Over the coming months, they will continue to learn, reflect, mentor one another, and put their leadership development into action within their organizations and communities.
