The Tennis Professionals Association (TPA) announced its TPA Excellence Awards and scholarship recipients for 2023 and 2024. Of the ten awards granted nationwide, three are headed to Alberta.
Two Albertan tennis professionals and one club were given distinguished honours:
- 2023 Club Professional Excellence Award: Marvin Hinds
- 2024 Rene Simpson-Collins Excellence in Female Coaching Scholarship: Suzana Cavalcante
- 2023 Innovation Award: OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre
Click here to watch the video announcement, and read on below about our amazing award recipients.
2023 Club Professional Excellence Award: Marvin Hinds
Marvin Hinds is a Certified Coach 3, Head Professional, and Tennis Director at the Derrick Golf and Winter Club of Edmonton.
His love for tennis began when he was 9 years old, and by age 15, he had already achieved his International Tennis Federation Level 1 Coaching Certification. In 2001, Marvin moved to Edmonton to attend the University of Alberta and co-captain the Golden Bears Tennis Team.
Marvin has been a Tennis Professional at the Saville Sports Centre and the Royal Glenora Club, and he now holds the top tennis job at the Derrick Golf and Winter Club.
At The Derrick, Marvin teaches his “Tennis For Life” model and love of the sport to his team and pupils. The result? The Derrick is currently at maximum membership capacity after a surge of interest in his programs. Tennis is alive and well in Edmonton, thanks to the passionate work of tennis professionals such as Marvin and his team.
2024 Rene Simpson-Collins Excellence in Female Coaching Scholarship: Suzana Cavalcante
Suzana Cavalcante is the Head of Junior Development at OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre. She holds a Master’s Degree in Athletic Training, is a certified Coach 2, and is currently completing her Club Pro 3 certification.
Suzana has been a lifelong tennis lover, having competed since she was a young girl. At ages 10 and 12, she was the Brazilian national champion. She would go on to compete internationally before embarking on a highly decorated NCAA career. As of this writing, she stands as the most decorated female athlete in the University of West Florida’s history. Her accolades in tennis and athletics are truly exceptional and extensive.
Suzana’s skill and dedication to tennis can only be understated. Each and every day, she’s making an impact on the lives of Albertan tennis enthusiasts.
2023 Innovation Award: OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre
Accepting the award on behalf of the OSTEN & VICTOR ALBERTA TENNIS CENTRE (ATC) is CEO Danny Da Costa.
ATC is the first recipient of this award, being recognized for their work supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies in the tennis industry. The centre prides itself on its leadership, being the first to produce a DEI community impact report in March 2024.
In the summer of 2021, ATC launches the SHE CAN PLAY program. The program, which has since become one of the premier girls programs in Canada, is led entirely by ATC’s female coaching staff and female youth mentor coaches.
In May 2024, ATC launched the Everyone Can Play Tennis program, a non-profit tennis program for new and under-resourced Canadians. Fundraising is set to begin at the Everyone Can Play Gala, happening just days before the Calgary National Bank Challenger. Tickets for the gala are on sale now.
Danny hopes ATC’s initiatives will “inspire other clubs to create game-changing innovations that support the growth of tennis across Canada.”
Thank you, Tennis Canada and TPA
Thank you, Tennis Canada and the TPA, for highlighting our tennis community and recognizing these remarkable professionals. And thank you to the Alberta tennis community itself for their continued love of the game.
