The Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie is a national program designed to bridge the gap between entry-level tennis and the provincial junior competitive circuit. Since its launch in 2009, the tour has reached thousands of juniors annually at tennis clubs and community venues across the country. Each year, thousands of boys and girls participate in hundreds of events nationwide. The Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie inspires players to continue their tennis journey, whether by transitioning to sanctioned competition or enjoying tennis for life.
All Rookie events follow a non-elimination format, offering beginner competitors a fun and engaging experience with multiple opportunities to play. Each player is guaranteed at least three matches.
Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie is for:
- Players who wish to compete at an introductory level.
- Players who have not participated in any sanctioned provincial tournaments.
GETTING STARTED
How to join & find a tournament
To be a part of the Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie, players must be registered as a Recreational Member of Tennis Alberta. Players must then register for a specific Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie tournament. For a complete list of province-wide tournaments, click here.
Step 1: How to register for a Tennis Alberta membership.
A Recreational Membership is FREE!
To register, please click here.
- Click on the Log In/Sign Up button
- Select Tennis Alberta
- Agree to Rules and Regulations
- Create a profile
- For membership type, select Recreational in the drop-down menu
- Finalize account
Step 2: How to register for a tournament
- To register for a tournament, click here.
- Search for an event in your province and age category.
- Select the tournament.
- If registration is open, you’ll be redirected to Tennis Canada’s tournaments portal where you can sign up.
Please review the Junior Competitive Structure for Rookie entry guidelines.
Tournament Categories and Format
The Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie allows junior players to play competitive tennis at an introductory level suitable for their age. Depending on the age category, matches are played with progressive balls and on smaller courts.
8 and Under Rookie (Red Ball)
- Purpose: Entry-level tournaments designed for players new to competition.
- Eligibility (2026): Open to players born in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
- Court: ½ Court.
- Format: Maximum 20 players. Boys and girls play in the same draw. Round-robin format.
- Match Time: Maximum 15 minutes.
- Restrictions: Players who have qualified for the top playoff rounds of a U9/U10 Rising Stars event are not eligible.
9 and Under Rookie (Orange Ball)
- Purpose: Entry-level tournaments designed for players new to competition.
- Eligibility (2026): Open to players born in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
- Court: ¾ Court.
- Format: Maximum 20 players. Boys and girls play in the same draw. Round-robin format.
- Match Time: Maximum 20 minutes.
- Restrictions: Players who have qualified for the top playoff rounds of a U9/U10 Rising Stars event are not eligible.
10 and Under Rookie (Green-DOT Ball)
- Purpose: Entry-level tournaments designed for players new to full court competition.
- Eligibility (2026): Open to players born in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
- Court: Full Court.
- Format: Maximum 16 players. Boys and girls play in the same draw. Round-robin format.
- Match Time: Maximum 30 minutes.
- Restrictions: Players who have qualified for the top playoff rounds of a U9 and/or U10 Rising Stars event are not eligible.
12 and Under Rookie (Green-Dot Ball)
- Purpose: Entry-level tournaments designed for players new to full court competition.
- Eligibility (2026): Open to players born in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
- Court: Full Court.
- Format: Maximum 16 players. Boys and girls play in the same draw. Round-robin format.
- Match Time: Maximum 45 minutes.
- Restrictions: Players who have qualified for the top playoff rounds in U10 Rising Stars events and/or playing in U12 3-Star tournaments are not eligible.
Match Format
Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie tournaments use modified scoring formats to provide a friendly introduction to competition and have matches completed in a shorter period of time. Scoring formats may differ depending on the event and facility.
| Category | Scoring Format | Tiebreak Rule | Max Time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 and Under | Tiebreaker format (alternate serve every 2 points). | Match ends when time expires. | 15 Mins |
| 9 and Under | One set to 6 games (No-Ad scoring). | 5-point tiebreak at 6–6. | 20 Mins |
| 10 and Under | One set to 6 games (No-Ad scoring). | 5-point tiebreak at 6–6. | 30 Mins |
| 12 and Under | One set to 6 games (No-Ad scoring). | 5-point tiebreak at 6–6. | 45 Mins |
*Please note that match times are subject to change depending on registration and court availability, in consultation with the tournament director.
Prizes
Players receive a prize at each Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie event. Players can compete in multiple events to collect all available prizes.
- Participation Prize: Awarded for entering the event.
- First Tournament: A certificate for completing your first tournament.
Fair Play
Providing a competitive environment in which all matches are contested fairly is essential to ensuring a positive experience for all players. Everyone must work together to make this happen including Tennis Canada, provincial associations, players, parents, and officials.
Players are expected to follow these key Fair Play elements:
- Following the rules of the game.
- Treating opponents, officials, organizers, coaches, parents, and spectators with respect.
- Embracing both victory and defeat with dignity.
- Displaying appreciation for a good performance.
- Exercising self-control.
- Playing a part in creating a safe and inclusive tennis environment by not engaging in any form of maltreatment or verbal, physical or online abuse.
Player and Parent Resources
- Tennis Matchplay 101 – click here
- Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie: Player & Parent Checklist – click here
- Tips for Parents – click here
If you would like to provide feedback on the Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie, please take the time out to complete our survey. This short survey will take approximately five minutes to complete.
What’s the Next Step?
Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie events act as a bridge between community tennis programs and competition. The program reaches thousands of players each year, encouraging them to continue along the tennis pathway whether their aspirations lean towards professional competition or a lifelong passion for tennis.
- Development Pathway: To view the Whole Player Development Pathway (WPDP), click here.
- Progression: We recommend that U9 and U10 players participate in a minimum of 3 Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie events before progressing to the Rogers First Set Tour – Rising Stars. Learn more about Rising Stars tournaments here.
Please note that to participate in the Rogers First Set Tour – Rising Stars or provincial sanctioned tournaments, players will have to upgrade their Tennis Alberta membership on their Tournament Software website account.
If you have any further questions about the Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie, please email info@tennisalberta.com
Resources for Tournament Directors
- Draw Size Guidelines:
- U8 & U9: Maximum 20 players (Tournament Directors may cap events).
- U10 & U12: Maximum 16 players (Tournament Directors may cap events).
- Tournament Director Checklist – click here
For more information on hosting a Rogers First Set Tour – Rookie tournament at your club, please email info@tennisalberta.com
