Tennis, Programs, Community — Growing the Game Together

October 30, 2026
By Heather Powers – Manager, Community Development

Tennis. Programs. Community.

In the two years since joining Tennis Alberta, these have been at the heart of everything I do. I’m largely behind the scenes coordinating coaches, providing equipment, and creating community partnerships that bring tennis programs to life. But tennis doesn’t grow from an office desk. It grows because a community leader rents out a school gymnasium, offering affordable opportunities to play. It grows because coaches show up on evenings and weekends with enthusiasm to teach. Most of all, it grows when clubs open their doors and bring people together, building relationships on the court and in the stands.

We’ve had another growth year, but none of that happens on its own.

First and foremost, a big thank you to the clubs, facilities, coaches, and community organizations for their willingness to collaborate on our grassroots programs. While we provide the support and coordination, it’s our members doing the day-to-day work to make tennis more accessible in their communities. We couldn’t do this without their dedication.

Another big thank you to my former colleague Mary Potter, who developed several of the programs we’re excited to continue running and expanding across the province.

Now, I’m stepping into a new role as Manager of Community Development. I’ll continue overseeing our community and grassroots programming, and I’ll be taking on facility and individual membership services so that all parts can work together. Soon, we’ll be welcoming new staff to help run our programs, and I’m excited to support them as we build stronger relationships with Tennis Alberta’s members and keep creating opportunities for everyone to play.

Across the Province

Before looking ahead, I’m proud to share what we’ve already accomplished this year:

• Our biggest Tennis Month to Date: 2,345 participants in June alone, with 18 programs and events held across Alberta.
• Tennis in Schools (2025/26 School Year):
  • 40 school programs delivered across 6 provincial zones
  • 8,248 kids engaged
  • 39 out of 40 programs connected directly to a local facility
• Wheelchair Tennis Taking Off:
  • New fall program beginning today, Friday, October 30
  • Wheelchair division back at the Alberta Open
• Reaching New Players Beyond Traditional Methods:
• Creating more entry points into the sport across the province
• Regional Community Coaches on the ground in Red Deer, Grande Prairie, and Lethbridge

What’s Next

As I step into this role, my focus centers on two key priorities:

Continuing to Grow Participation

We want to build on the success of our existing programs while identifying gaps and new opportunities in communities across Alberta. That means exploring more ways to bring tennis to rural and underserved communities, and developing partnerships that make programming easier to deliver locally and sustainable over time. I’m looking forward to continuing to build strong relationships with community organizations, schools, and funding partners to make that happen.

Strengthening Support for Clubs and Facilities

A big part of my new role is focusing on Tennis Alberta’s facility and individual membership programs, essentially asking: “How can Tennis Alberta provide more value to its members?” I want to create a better understanding of what clubs and facilities truly need to support their communities, programs, and initiatives. From there, we can explore real opportunities to enhance membership benefits, services, and shared programming, making membership more valuable, meaningful, and supportive of the people and organizations growing the game.

Ultimately, I want to ensure that Tennis Alberta is a valuable resource for the clubs, facilities, organizations, and individuals who make our tennis community what it is. I’m looking forward to working together to create new opportunities to grow the game across Alberta. If you have ideas or suggestions for how we can help better support you, I would love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out directly at heather.powers@tennisalberta.com.