USTA Florida Welcomes First Members of Innovative Fellowship Program

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 developing 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 grow public facilities across the state. Through hands-on experience at USTA Florida–managed sites, fellows gain the skills needed to lead with both on-court expertise and strong business acumen. 

Dana Balsley is a PTR-certified tennis coach, community coach trainer for wheelchair tennis, and an aspiring high-performance player. She began her tennis journey with Cardio Tennis at the iconic Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, while on a work and holiday stay. After stepping away from the sport for a time, she reignited her passion in Miami in the spring of 2024 and quickly pursued coaching, where she has found fulfillment serving her community while continuing her own training. 

Dana now balances extensive on-court practice with coaching juniors and adults, blending 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 aims to create more opportunities for players at every level to enjoy and grow in the game. 

Sergio Peralta, originally from Argentina, began playing tennis at age 11 and moved to Florida at 14, where he competed on his high school team. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public safety management and applied science in emergency management from Miami Dade College. Recently, he 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 pursued coaching education around the world, completing a recent internship in Rome with the Global Professional Tennis Coach Association (GPTCA). Certified as both an RSPA and USTA instructor, he currently coaches in Central Florida, where he’s committed to helping players grow through discipline, motivation, and joy. 

As the inaugural fellows, Dana and Sergio embody the mission of the USTA Florida Public Tennis Park Fellowship, to train and empower future leaders who will sustain 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. 

Learn more about the program at ustaflorida.com/fellowship.