How Black Girls in Tennis is Creating a Growing Sisterhood in the West

The Osten and Victor Alberta Tennis Centre, Calgary.

As they filter in from the lobby, gathering by the courts, there’s a mix of energy. There are newcomers to the group. Some nerves. There are regulars to the group, who enter with a comfortable swagger. Old friends embrace and catch up. Chatter and laughter begin to take over the quiet hum of the facility.

The coaches welcome the participants with warmth.

And with curiosity.

This isn’t your typical tennis crowd. Their outfits are as much fashion as they are function. Bright, bold colours. Jewelry. Chic tennis dresses and hats. Some are in fitted jackets. Are they going to play in those?

They did.

It’s Black Girls in Tennis. The sisterhood has arrived, and it’s time to hit the courts.

The Edmonton Origin

Like many beautiful things, Black Girls In Tennis (BGIT) was born out of a simple observation. Something was missing. Jackie Ngondo, the group’s founder, learned tennis from her dad when she was three, and carried the love of the game into adulthood. She wanted to share the love with others, but she didn’t see a lot of women—black women, especially—at the courts. Out of this gap, Jackie’s mission was born.

In 2024 she launched BGIT, Edmonton chapter, which quickly caught on. Holding sessions primarily at the Saville Tennis Centre, the gatherings became a hub for connection. It’s popularity grew as more and more participants realized what a fun, affordable, and stylish sport tennis can be.

A movement ignites

It proved to be too big even for the City of Champions. Yosabeth Agonafer, a young black woman in Calgary, was looking for a tennis club to join and stumbled upon BGIT on Instagram. She reached out to Jackie to ask about expansion plans. The rest is history. The Calgary chapter launched in June 2025 at Glenmore Athletic Park. The launch had cupcakes, cookies, and gifts. It was different. It was special.

The Calgary Tennis Society (CTS), an organization dedicated to providing accessible tennis in BIPOC communities, was impressed by the group’s initiative, and was keen to lend their support. Through grant funding from Tennis Canada’s Game.Set.Equity. initiative, CTS had already sponsored several young women and teenagers of colour to complete their coaching certifications. These same coaches would be called upon to help run several of the Calgary BGIT sessions throughout the season, providing advanced instruction. All at no cost to BGIT.

Membership grew and grew and grew some more. So what, exactly, makes this group so special? “You’re not just picking up a racquet,” Yosabeth says, “you’re joining a sisterhood that celebrates you. We’ll cheer you on every step of the way.” And cheered they did, all summer long.

New partnerships, year-round courts

While the group in Edmonton returned to the Saville Tennis Centre for their indoor season, the Calgary players needed an indoor solution. When approached with the idea, The Osten and Victor Alberta Tennis Centre (ATC) jumped at the opportunity to lend a hand. A partnership was quickly formed, and the group has been gathering every other week. ATC coaches Irada Guseinova and Pearl Hunt lead the sessions, along with help from high-performance junior players of colour at the facility.

“BGIT offers a space where women can simply be — laugh, play, and feel supported by like-minded women who truly understand them. Having allies like ATC open their doors to us has been incredible; their support shows that they believe in our vision and are excited to help us grow in ways we never imagined.” -Jackie

Beyond Alberta: The sisterhood’s growing reach

Alberta still wasn’t big enough. This fall, the group made the interprovincial leap, debuting in Manitoba at the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club. Now with over 250 members throughout three cities, the group continues to grow. Black Girls In Tennis is on the rise, and so are black girls in tennis (lowercase) altogether. And prompted by Victoria Mboko’s win at the National Bank Open, Jackie and Yosabeth have both been featured in CBC News, bringing national attention to the movement.

Back at ATC, as the tennis session wraps up, the vibes are higher than ever. The girls head on upstairs for tea. On what would normally be a quiet Sunday, laughter rings through the facility. And long after the last ball is hit, the fun is only just getting started.

Join the sisterhood

To join the movement, find upcoming session schedules, or learn more about Black Girls in Tennis:

• Website: blackgirlsintennis.ca
• Instagram: @blackgirls_intennis