Onwentsia Club Internship
Racquets Department
During my internship at Onwentsia Club, located in Lake Forest, I gained firsthand insight into how sport can reflect broader socioeconomic structures and class distinctions.
As a private club in an affluent community, the environment emphasized tradition, exclusivity, and high standards of professionalism. Within the racquet department, this was evident through expectations such a wearing "tennis whites", maintaining a strict no-phone policy, and prioritizing exceptional customer service at all times. These norms reflected both the club's culture and the values/expectations of its members.
Additionally, the sports offered at the club -- tennis, golf, squash, paddle, and croquet -- are historically associated with higher socio-economic status due to barriers such as cost, access, equipment, and membership fees. This reinforced how access to certain sports is often shaped by wealth and social class.
During my internship at Onwentsia Club, I was responsible for managing sensitive member information, which required a high level of confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical awareness.
Working in a private club setting meant that trust and discretion were essential. This experience challenged me to ensure that all of my actions aligned with both organizational standards and a broader, personal commitment to respect and integrity.
Internship Overview
During my internship at Onwentsia Club, I gained hands-on experience in in tennis operations, event coordination, and club management within a private country club setting. This role allowed me to bridge my background as a collegiate athlete and coach with the administrative and operational side of the sport.
My main responsibilities centered around supporting daily operations of the racquet department. This included managing court reservations, assisting members, court set-up and maintenance, and ensuring high quality customer service. Through these responsibilities, I gained strong organizational and client relations skills in a high-expectation environment.
In addition to daily operations, I had the opportunity to play an active role in program execution. I assisted in youth summer camps that allowed kids to progress their skills in tennis, pickleball, and squash. I also jumped on-court to help facilitate adult programs such as cardio tennis and private lessons.
During my internship at Onwentsia, we partnered with neighboring clubs to host a junior team tennis event that provided young players with the opportunity to compete in a team-based format while gaining valuable match play experience.
This experience was particularly beneficial to my professional development, as it allowed me to gain hands-on exposure to multi-site event coordination and the logistics involved in organizing large-scale junior programming
Throughout my time at the Onwentsia Club, I gained valuable insight into relationship-building within a private club environment. By interacting regularly with members, I learned the importance of professionalism and personalized service in fostering a strong club community.
Overall, this internship provided practical experience in both the front-facing and behind-the-scenes aspects of the industry, preparing me for future roles in sport administration and tennis programming.
Self Reflection
What did you learn about yourself throughout this experience?
Throughout this internship, I learned that I enjoy fast-paced, people-oriented environments where no two days are the same. I discovered that I genuinely enjoy working with a team of people who share the same passion for sport that I do. Additionally, I learned that I am capable of being adaptable and can step into different roles as needed, whether that be administrative tasks, event support, or member interaction. This experience also clarified that a private club setting is not the ideal environment for my long-term career goals, as I am more drawn to roles that involve large-scale events, broader community impact, and diverse player engagement.
In what areas did you experience the most professional growth?
I experienced the most professional growth in communication and professionalism within a high-expectation environment. Working at a private club required a heightened level of attention to detail and member service, which challenged me to anticipate needs and handle situations with professionalism. I also grew in my ability to manage multiple responsibilities at once, particularly during peak hours, which strengthened my time management and problem-solving skills.
How would you assess your performance at the organization?
I would assess my performance as strong and consistently improving throughout the internship. I approached each day with a willingness to learn, took initiative when possible, and remained dependable in completing assigned tasks. Over time, I became more confident in my responsibilities and more proactive in supporting both staff and members.
One area where I could have improved was in the planning and execution of my special project, which was centered around developing a member experience trip to the Indian Wells Masters. While the concept was creative and aligned with member interests, it ultimately did not come to fruition. In hindsight, I recognize that I could have selected a more realistic and achievable project given the timeframe and logistical considerations.
This experience taught me the importance of evaluating feasibility early on, setting attainable goals, and adapting plans when necessary. While the outcome was not what I initially envisioned, it was a valuable learning experience that will shape how I approach future projects.
Explain defining moments of the internship (both positive and negative) as well as what was learned through those experiences.
One defining positive moment was assisting with a large tennis event where multiple courts, players, and schedules had to be managed simultaneously. Being part of a successful, well-run event showed me how impactful strong organization and teamwork are in creating a positive experience for participants.
A more challenging moment came when unexpected inclement weather forced us to quickly move outdoor programming indoors. In this situations we had to make sure equipment—especially tennis balls—was collected and put away so it wouldn’t be damaged by the rain. This situation required quick thinking, clear communication, and attention to detail to keep things running smoothly and seemlessly for the members. It taught me the importance of staying calm under pressure and being proactive to ensure everything was handled properly. Experiences like this helped build my confidence in managing real-time challenges in sport operations.
In preparation for a career in the sport industry, what specific skills would you like to continue to develop in preparation for your next employment opportunities?
Moving forward, I would like to continue developing my skills in event management, particularly in the areas of planning and execution of larger-scale events. I am also interested in expanding my knowledge of marketing and audience engagement strategies. Finally, I hope to continue improving my leadership and decision-making skills so that I can take on more responsibility in future roles within the sport industry.
How did this internship influence your career goals?
This internship ultimately helped clarify my career direction and solidified that a private club setting is not the best long-term fit for me. While I gained valuable experience in tennis operations, event support, and member interaction, I learned that I am more drawn to dynamic, large-scale environments where sport is presented to broader audiences. As a result, I am now more intentional about pursuing opportunities in the sports industry that align with my interests in media, broadcasting, and event-driven roles, whether in tennis, Formula 1, or other global sports.
