President’s Outdoor Season Update

I hope everyone had a great summer of playing tennis and are enjoying the amazing fall weather! It’s been an exciting and productive time for Tennis Alberta, and I’m pleased to share a few highlights from the outdoor season and some insights into what’s ahead.

Outdoor Season Highlights

This summer was one of our strongest yet. Tennis Alberta hosted more tournaments across all age groups than in previous years, and our team remained focused on enhancing the overall player experience.

We received very positive feedback from players and parents — particularly around the Junior Provincials in Red Deer, which were a fantastic success. A big thank you to the Red Deer Tennis Club for hosting and helping us deliver an outstanding event that truly captured the spirit and importance of the community.

The Alberta Open was another great success this year, and we were pleased to see strong participation and community engagement. The post-event celebration at Longroof Brewing was well attended and a great way to cap off the event.

Please continue to share your feedback — it’s vital as we work to continually improve the player and participant experience.

Strategic Plan – Building the Future of Tennis in Alberta

One of our major initiatives this year is the development of our new 5-Year Strategic Plan. We can’t thank you enough for the excellent feedback we’ve received from players, coaches, parents, and facilities across the province.

This engagement has been the foundation of our work. We’ve taken your input seriously and will continue to keep the process transparent and collaborative as we move forward. The plan is designed to live with our stakeholders — it won’t just sit on a website.

Some of the key objectives that have emerged centre around:

• Programming – expanding opportunities for all levels and ages.
• Competitions – improving access and quality of tournaments province-wide.
• Facilities – supporting new court development and upgrades to meet growing demand.
• Sport Promotion – elevating awareness and participation through marketing and partnerships.

Through the remainder of our planning process, we will finalize core pillars and include specific goals and tactics that focus on growing the sport while ensuring a safe, inclusive, and sustainable environment for everyone.

Governance and Safe Sport

Tennis Alberta continues to prioritize athlete safety and organizational integrity. We are working closely with the Alberta Sport Leadership Association (ASLA) to roll out a comprehensive Safe Sport Program that aligns with other Provincial Sport Organizations in Alberta.

This consistent, province-wide approach will ensure an effective and trusted system that meets the needs of athletes, coaches, officials, and participants. The rollout is expected in Q1 of 2026, and we will share updates with all stakeholders as we progress.

The Safe Sport Program will:

• Allow confidential reporting of misconduct and maltreatment.
• Provide educational resources for coaches, players, and facilities.
• Establish a consistent and preventative framework across all sports in Alberta.

Increased Tennis Presence and Visibility

Beyond improving the player experience, Tennis Alberta has also invested in expanding our presence across the province. We’re proud to see participation continuing to rise, with increased engagement in programs, tournaments, and community outreach.

Some key initiatives include:

• Tennis Alberta Road Show – Our inaugural tour visited 9 facilities and saw over 400 participants.
• School Programs – We’ve introduced tennis to nearly 1000 students so far this year, building an initial foundation for a love of the sport.
• Facility Support – We’ve actively assisted with facility development and expansion projects to help give Albertans more places to play.
• Tournament Growth – We sanctioned 64 events this outdoor season, featuring nearly 4000 entries across junior, adult, and senior categories — a notable increase over last year.

These initiatives strengthen our visibility, expand access, and ensure that tennis remains one of Alberta’s fastest growing and most inclusive sports.

By the Numbers – Outdoor Season 2025

Looking Ahead

As we move into the final quarter of the year, our focus will remain on strategic planning, safe sport implementation, and preparations for the 2026 season, which are already well under way. With participation and community interest at record levels, we have an incredible opportunity to build momentum and ensure tennis continues to thrive across Alberta.

Thank you to our board, staff, volunteers, coaches, and facilities for your continued passion and commitment. Together, we’re building a stronger future for tennis in Alberta.

See you on the courts!

Mike Bennett
President, Tennis Alberta