Tennis Canada announced on Monday, January 25 the cancellation of the Fischer Indoor Junior National tournaments due to government health and travel restrictions related to the current global COVID-19 pandemic as well as wanting to ensure the overall health and safety of everyone involved. Tennis Canada will work with the Provincial Tennis Associations and local tournament hosts and partners to support and stimulate provincial and regional competition as soon as possible, when conditions allow for a safe return.
List of tournaments being cancelled:
U12 Fischer Indoor Junior Nationals – March 19-25 at IGA Stadium in Montreal, QC
U14 Fischer Indoor Junior Nationals – March 27-April 2 at IGA Stadium in Montreal, QC
U16 Fischer Indoor Junior Nationals – March 19-24 at the AVIVA Centre in Toronto, ON
U18 Fischer Indoor Junior Nationals – March 26-April 2 at the AVIVA Centre in Toronto, ON
“This continues to be a very tough time for the athletes, coaches, clubs and partners involved in our sport and for the health and wellbeing of our society in general,” stated Hatem Mcdadi, Senior Vice-President of Tennis Development at Tennis Canada. “The safety and welfare everyone involved continues to be Tennis Canada’s top priority. Postponing more tournaments at the start of 2021 was not an easy decision to make, but we believe it is the right one given the current situation. We look forward to working with our Provincial Tennis Associations and all of our valued partners to stimulate competition and to resume our local, provincial and national events once our health authorities deem it safe to travel and compete.”
Although Tennis Canada will not be organizing any junior, senior, wheelchair or professional events in the first quarter of 2021, plans are underway for the remainder of the year. The focus will be on the successful delivery of the U12, U14, U16 and U18 Fischer Outdoor Junior Nationals in August along with a number of ITF junior events beginning in May, all while abiding by the necessary health and safety measures. A full calendar of professional, junior, senior and wheelchair events will be communicated in the coming weeks.
“While we are all disappointed to not be able to hold the Fischer Indoor Junior Nationals this spring, I am very excited to support the exceptional delivery of the outdoor junior events later on this year,” said George Fischer, Fischer Junior National funder and supporter. “It is important to be able to provide opportunities for our junior players across the country to compete in a safe and secure environment. I look forward to seeing the fruits of our labour come together this summer.”
Tennis Canada will continue to work closely with the Provincial Tennis Associations to closely monitor the coronavirus (COVD-19) situation and remain in contact with Public Health Canada and the various national and international tennis organizations. Given the evolution of the crisis in Canada, the recommendations from Public Health and the restrictions in place discouraging and limiting travel between regions and provinces, Tennis Canada believes that it must postpone these events to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved.
Post courtesy of Tennis Canada.
————
