This year was an incredible year for tennis in our province and country. Most excitingly, Team Canada was recently crowned David Cup- World Champions. The team, including Felix Auger-Aliassime, Gabriel Diallo, Alex Galarneau, Vasek Pospisil, Denis Shapovalov, and Frank Dancevic, claimed Canada’s first-ever Davis Cup Title. Further proof that Canada is a tennis nation with strong professional players and a dedicated tennis community.
This year was one for the books. In 2022, the Alberta tennis community benefited from:
- a sanctioned tournament schedule that is back to pre-covid offerings with record numbers of participants of all ages enjoying competitive tennis across an assortment of playing levels,
- community tennis leagues that gave adult players more chances to play and win prizes,
- a number of coach certification and advancement courses running through the year, with over 40 participants resulting in 35 plus newly certified coaches,
- the introduction of the Community Facilitator Training, supporting tennis leadership across the province,
- a sequence of try tennis initiatives coupled with Tennis Alberta community staff visits were delivered province wide, and
- the Calgary National Bank Challenger returning to bring ATP Challenger level tennis back to the province, adding an International Tennis Federation (ITF) Women’s Pro Circuit Event.
The tennis community in Alberta is well-served by the strength of our existing clubs and club leaders. Tennis Alberta wishes to thank all clubs and communities who continue to partner with us to provide competitive opportunities for junior, adult, and senior players. Although our current clubs are strong, Alberta continues to severely lack affordable, year-round tennis facilities, especially in smaller urban and rural communities. To continue to meet the demands of tennis’ growth, we need more year-round facilities. Tennis Alberta encourages our members to appeal to all levels of government and decision-makers to allocate resources towards affordable/accessible year-round tennis facilities. Tennis Alberta shall continue to work diligently to raise awareness and make the case for more facilities at the provincial and municipal levels; however, we require the support of the tennis community knowing a united and enthusiastic approach will strengthen our collective lobbying position.
Safe Sport dominates discussions across the country as all sectors strive to make sport and recreation opportunities safe, welcoming, and inclusive to all communities. Fostering a sport environment that is safe for all participants, at all levels of competition, is everyone’s responsibility. Tennis Alberta, together with Tennis Canada, continue to communicate the importance and value of safe sport in Tennis. In 2023, players will learn more about what it means to have a certified coach and more about safe sport education. Parents, guardians, and players are encouraged to start learning more and watch for continued information in the weeks and months ahead.
Under new leadership, Tennis Alberta has, over the past 18 months, prioritized the importance of community support as we aim to increase participation and engagement in tennis throughout the province. Tennis Alberta has renewed our commitment to cooperate closely with our valued partners as we build capacity and implement sustainable tennis participation models that fit the needs of local communities across Alberta. With this renewed commitment, in the summer of 2022, Tennis Alberta travelled to Cold Lake, Fort McMurray, Banff, and Grande Prairie to meet tennis leaders, participate in discussions centered around growing the tennis community, and host try tennis programming for children and adults. Thank you to each of these communities for welcoming us and for their dedicated passion for the sport we share. Tennis Alberta will be scheduling more community visits in 2023 and would appreciate the opportunity to visit your community. Please reach out to us anytime.
I continue to value the passion and love of our sport that so prominently exists throughout our tennis communities. The Tennis Alberta team looks forward to strengthening ties with new and existing partners as we work together to reinforce the fact tennis is truly a sport for life.
On behalf of Tennis Alberta’s Board of Directors and staff, may I wish you and yours a warm holiday season.
Happy Holidays,
Alan Mackin
Executive Director, Tennis Alberta
Photo: Cahill 109th Alberta Open presented by Lexus | Dave Ross Photography
