Racquet Sports Industry Leader Brings More than a Decade of Marketing Experience to Drive USBTA Growth
March 10, 2026 – The U.S. Blind Tennis Association (USBTA) today announced the appointment of Ian Rapport to its Board of Directors. Rapport will serve as Director of Sponsorship and Fundraising, helping the organization expand its efforts to grow the game for blind and low vision tennis players across the United States.
Rapport joins the USBTA board with more than a decade of experience in public relations and marketing, leading award-winning campaigns for global brands including Old Spice, Cup Noodles, Nokia, and Hasbro. He is also the founder of Golden Slam Marketing, a PR and marketing agency focused on racquet sports, and the creator of Racket Sports Weekly, a leading podcast and news platform covering the racquet sports industry.
“Accessibility is an essential part of building an inclusive tennis community,” said Rapport. “It has always been important to me that the sport continues to evolve so more people have the opportunity to play it. Joining the USBTA gives me the chance to help expand opportunities for blind and low vision athletes while supporting the continued growth of the sport.”
With tennis participation in the United States reaching record levels, Rapport’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the organization as it works to expand programming, increase awareness, and grow participation in blind and low vision tennis nationwide.
“Ian joins a changing board at U.S. Blind Tennis, as we take the next crucial steps in building partnerships and funding key growth projects for the organization,” said Murray Elbourn, President of the U.S Blind Tennis Association. “His experience and knowledge across tennis will ensure a positive outcome for our board to achieve strong results.”
The next USBTA tournament and clinic will take place in Los Angeles on April 25, bringing together blind and low vision tennis players from across the country for competition, community, and continued development of the sport.
About the U.S. Blind Tennis Association
The U.S. Blind Tennis Association is the national governing body for Blind & Low Vision Tennis in the United States, promoting adaptive tennis programs for youth and adults across all 50 states. USBTA works in partnership with community organizations including National Federation for the Blind, American Council of the Blind and other key community orgs and State Government Agencies servicing blind clients and participants, schools, and USTA sections to develop sustainable, inclusive pathways into the sport.
