Game Changers: Albertans Take Home Four National Awards

It’s time to celebrate.

Four major national honours are coming home after being announced by Tennis Canada and the Tennis Professionals Association (TPA).

Tennis Canada Distinguished Service Award Recipients:

• Rico Policarpo (Awarded Posthumously) – Recognized for more than four decades of dedicated coaching, developing generations of national champions, and making the sport accessible to every junior who wanted to play.
• Chris Zelyas – Honoured for eight years of volunteer leadership and service on the Tennis Alberta Board of Directors.

Tennis Professionals Association (TPA) Award Recipients:

• Black Girls in Tennis (BGIT) – Awarded the TPA Innovation Award for creating a welcoming space on court, introducing hundreds of first-time players to the sport, and building an active community of women in cities coast to coast.
• Robert Senic – Named recipient of the Gary Caron TPA Scholarship Award in recognition of his high-performance coaching expertise, dedication to continuous learning, and track record of developing top-tier junior and professional athletes.

Rico Policarpo (Distinguished Service Award – Posthumous)

Rico received the Tennis Canada Distinguished Service Award in recognition of more than four decades of contribution to tennis in Alberta and across Canada. His sons, Alex and Chris, accepted the award on his behalf during his celebration of life at The Glencoe Club in June.

Rico is a true legend of the game. After founding Rico’s Tennis Academy in 1974, he built one of the province’s most successful high-performance environments, developing and coaching more national champions than any other program in the province. And beyond developing champions, he made sure tennis was open to everyone. If a junior could not afford lessons, Rico found a way, often trading coaching and court time for work around the club.

On top of all that, he was a three-time Canadian Coach of the Year and a Tennis Alberta Hall of Fame inductee. This national award recognizes a lifetime dedicated to growing our sport.

Thanks again, Rico.

Chris Zelyas (Distinguished Service Award)

We’re proud to celebrate Chris Zelyas as a recipient of the Tennis Canada Distinguished Service Award. Chris will formally receive the honour in the coming months.

Over eight years of service on the Tennis Alberta Board, Chris stepped up in nearly every capacity needed, including Secretary, Vice President, and chairing key Governance and Discipline committees. His contributions went far beyond titles. Chris brought thoughtful perspective, steady accountability, and a willingness to constructively challenge ideas in every discussion, ensuring Tennis Alberta remained focused on growing the sport fairly across the province.

Volunteer leaders like Chris are essential to the success of tennis in Alberta. He gave generously of his time, his (considerable) expertise, and his energy to build a stronger foundation for our community.

Thank you, Chris, for eight years of outstanding leadership and service. And thank you for your ongoing support and guidance.

Black Girls in Tennis (BGIT) (TPA Innovation Award)

Black Girls in Tennis (BGIT) received the TPA Innovation Award this August at the National Bank Open in Toronto. When we first covered BGIT, it was a growing sisterhood in the West. The movement has not stopped, and the organization now runs programs in seven cities across Canada.

“Since the last time we connected, BGIT has grown in ways we honestly couldn’t have imagined when we first started,” Calgary chapter co-founder Yosabeth shared. “What’s been especially exciting is seeing how much the community has evolved beyond simply getting women on a tennis court. We now host everything from tennis socials and brunches to wellness events, workshops and community experiences, all with the goal of creating spaces where Black women can connect, try something new and feel like they belong.”

When asked what went through their heads when they heard the news, Yosabeth added, “When we found out that BGIT had won the TPA Innovation Award, we honestly felt a mix of disbelief, gratitude, and pride.”

Congratulations, BGIT for this remarkable achievement.

BGIT will celebrate their anniversary on Sunday, September 13 from 3:30 to 6:00 PM at the Stanley Park Tennis Courts.

Robert Senic (Gary Caron TPA Scholarship Award)

Also honoured during the National Bank Open festivities, high-performance coach Robert Senic was named the recipient of the Gary Caron TPA Scholarship Award. The scholarship provides continuing education and professional development support to coaches working with top junior and transition players across Canada.

Robert brings extensive international experience to his coaching, having worked with athletes across England, Australia, and British Columbia, as well as leading ITF Juniors at Germany’s Alexander Waske Tennis University where he guided players to Junior Grand Slams and professional events. Now serving as Head of Performance at the Royal Glenora Club in Edmonton, he focuses on developing the province’s next generation of competitive talent.

Private and humble as always, Robert lets his coaching do the talking. When asked for remark, he was quick to credit those in his corner: “Thank you to my family for their patience and support, and thank you to the Royal Glenora Club, Ryan Schroffel, Aidan Mifsud, and all the players who trust me with their development.”

Congratulations, Robert, and thank you for all that you do!