Wheelchair tennis programs have been hard to find in Alberta. Regrettably.

But not anymore.

Two of our member facilities, IQ Tennis & Pickleball Centre (IQTPC) and the Osten & Victor Alberta Tennis Centre (ATC), are now offering dedicated programming for wheelchair athletes. Thanks to their initiative, along with support from Tennis Canada and Tennis Alberta, these programs are widening the door to tennis and making our beautiful game accessible to more players.

Coach Luis Reyes shares some tips with players during a session at IQTPC.

We’re thrilled to be running Wheelchair Tennis programs in Edmonton, which are now heading into their fourth week. The sessions at IQTPC have seen a great turnout, with upwards of 10 students attending weekly. Coach Luis Reyes (IQTPC) and Assistant Coach Mary Potter (Tennis Alberta) have been leading the programming. Wheelchair tennis veteran, Kyle Thompson, has been on site and has provided invaluable mentorship to both the players and the coaches.

Thank you to Wheelchair Sports Alberta for providing the sport wheelchairs that make these sessions possible.

Down in Calgary, on April 12, the Osten & Victor Alberta Tennis Centre hosted a Wheelchair Tennis Try-It event, welcoming a mix of 13 wheelchair-bound and able-bodied participants. Coach Adrien Chartier, who recently completed the Wheelchair Instructor course in Edmonton, led the session and put his training right to good use.

The group ran through drills to get familiar with wheelchair tennis and played games before heading upstairs for some well-deserved refreshments and snacks.

More wheelchair tennis events and programs are in the works at ATC. This is just the start.

These programs are supported through funding received from the Government of Alberta Sport Participation Support Program grant awarded to Tennis Alberta, alongside continued support from Tennis Canada.

Stay tuned for more wheelchair tennis opportunities and upcoming clinic dates across the province.

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