We’ve all heard the expression “it takes a village.” Canada’s achievements in tennis spotlight the reality in that saying, as success within the sport has relied on a cohesive nationwide effort beginning on the grassroots degree.
Because the nation has asserted itself in recent times as a powerhouse tennis nation—with wins within the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup, a Grand Slam singles title by Bianca Andreescu (2019 US Open), and up to date WTA Finals champions Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe—it’s extra essential than ever to make sure the constructing blocks are in place to maintain future success.
That’s why Tennis Canada has prioritized a sequence of initiatives to make sure it not solely maintains its endurance as a powerful tennis nation but in addition secures a promising future for the years to return.
12 months-Spherical Neighborhood Tennis Courts Program
The 12 months-Spherical Neighborhood Tennis Courts Program goals to make tennis accessible to all Canadians year-round, with a specific deal with growing youth participation. That is considered one of a number of key initiatives shaping the way forward for tennis in Canada.
This system goals to construct 160 year-round courts throughout as much as 30 amenities by 2029. Previous to this system’s inception, Canada lagged behind different high tennis nations in offering year-round entry to the game, with solely 750 publicly accessible lined courts nationwide. This interprets to only one year-round court docket for each 50,000 individuals—a stark distinction to world rivals. Now, this system has garnered important momentum, and an amazing 90% of Canadians agree that municipalities ought to collaborate with Tennis Canada on this significant initiative.
Revitalization of Outside Neighborhood Courts
Together with a dedication to offering year-round courts, Tennis Canada can also be on a mission to revitalize present outside courts. The “Play Your Court docket” program funds native communities throughout Canada to revitalize current outside courts.
In partnership with Nationwide Financial institution and Tennis Canada, this system collaborates with municipalities to reinforce accessibility to the game for all Canadians. With an funding of $3 million, this system plans to rework over 100 outside courts by 2030.
Prioritizing Inclusion and Fairness
One other key precedence for Tennis Canada is advancing gender fairness in any respect ranges of the game. In partnership with Nationwide Financial institution, the group goals to turn out to be a worldwide chief on this space. It’s a trigger near the center of Canadian star Bianca Andreescu.
“I hope that by way of this work, we will encourage extra girls and ladies to play tennis, lead a wholesome life-style, and even pursue a future within the sport, whether or not on the court docket or off it,” stated the 2019 US Open champion. Andreescu has dedicated to the funding marketing campaign and will probably be matching donations as much as $50,000.
There may be additionally in depth help for wheelchair tennis gamers, serving to them obtain success at main occasions such because the Paralympic Video games, Parapan Am Video games, World Workforce Cup, and extra. Advantages embody journey and coaching help, on-road teaching, coaching camps, court docket privileges, and entry to sport specialists.
Learn: Wheelchair replace – Rob Shaw finishes as top-ranked Canadian
Tennis Canada has additionally invested in camps for youth from underserved communities, creating extra pathways for younger gamers to entry the game. Trying to the long run, lending monetary help cannot solely solidify Canada’s place as a number one tennis nation however elevate it to even larger heights.
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