Tennis Alberta is excited to announce our new Junior Nationals Selection Process. This process will be put into effect immediately, meaning that it will be used to select our provincial teams for the 2025 Fischer Outdoor Junior Nationals taking place this summer across Canada. The new process utilizes an innovative hybrid selection model, as developed and advocated for by the Tennis Alberta Junior Development Committee.
The process was ideated by top coaches in Alberta, who brought the initial structure to the Tennis Alberta team earlier this year. Then, with the help of our newly reconvened Junior Development Committee, the process was fully fleshed out into a workable policy that we believe will yield a fair and transparent process that supports both the development of our junior athletes and the sustainability of our provincial junior tournaments. The Junior Development Committee—a group made up of top coaches from member facilities across the province—reviewed several potential policies and unanimously supported the new Hybrid Selection process.
About the Hybrid Selection Process
The new policy utilizes a Hybrid Selection Process. This means that active junior players will have two potential ways to earn one of Tennis Alberta’s allotted spots at U12, U14, and U16 Nationals (Note: U18 Nationals uses a Tennis Canada-administered registration and selection process). Top players that meet Residency, Member in Good Standing, and Participation Requirements can be selected through their National Ranking—a process that matches what was used in the previous Nationals cycle. The remaining spots will be distributed using a new Provincial Points Race, further reinforcing the need for athletes to compete in Alberta and test their performance against their peers.
Based on Tennis Alberta’s current allotment of four (4) Nationals Selection Spots per gendered age group, the following distribution of Selection Spots between the two systems will be used:
- U12: 1 Selection from National Rankings, 3 Selections from Provincial Points Race
- U14: 2 Selections from National Rankings, 2 Selections from Provincial Points Race
- U16: 3 Selections from Nationals Rankings, 1 Selection from Provincial Points Race
This gradual scaling between the two selection systems is purposeful. It reflects the different landscape and competition expectations a player faces as they move up age groups.
The Hybrid Selection Process is outlined in more detail—including examples of how it plays out in various scenarios—in the full Junior Nationals Selection Policy. As well, we encourage players, parents, and coaches to look at our National Selections – Overview Sheet for a high-level view on the process.
About the Provincial Points Race
To support the new Hybrid Selection Process, Tennis Alberta is launching a Provincial Points Race for athletes who participate in our National Selection Series events. Participating players will earn points from Junior 4-Star and Provincial Championship 5-Star events they participate in. A player’s point total will include their points from Provincials, plus their best two of three potential results in Alberta 4-Star tournaments in their age group.
The Points Race is age-group-closed, meaning that points from “playing up” do not scale down. However, if a player does choose to play up and earns points, they will receive a separate position in that age group’s Points Race.
Tennis Alberta will post the Points Race Leaderboard on our website after each National Selection Series event is completed. After each Indoor or Outdoor National Championships, the Points Race will reset, allowing players to start fresh in each cycle and earn their place.
Parent Education Webinar
Tennis Alberta appreciates that learning a new policy and process can be complicated. We want to support our player and parent community by offering a Parent Education Webinar about the new Nationals Selection Process. This webinar will include a presentation of the new process, example scenarios outlined in detail, and a question period where parents can clarify their understanding.
The Nationals Selection Process – Parent Education Webinar will take place virtually on Tuesday, April 22 at 6:00 PM. Parents must register in advance.
Register for Parent Education Webinar.
The Tennis Alberta Team is excited to see this new system in action. We believe it will serve its purpose of promoting a fair and transparent environment, supporting athlete development, and strengthening our provincial tournaments. Any questions about the process can be directed to info@tennisalberta.com and will be addressed by a member of our team.
