IN THE ZONE
Energy and enthusiasm, in abundance, describe Brenda Dean, one of Tennis Canada & Tennis BC’s Community Champions. Her drive and leadership brought the Comox Valley to be names as Tennis Canada’s Friendly Community of the year for 2013. Her schools’ program has reached 1000+ children in the North Island region. In addition to inschool lessons, she organizes numerous try days and recently held a “So you’ve always wanted to play tennis” event. Brenda recently initiated a junior leadership group, teaching older students basic tennis skills , who then went into elementary schools, instructing on a 1 to 1, or 1 to 2 basis. This group also fundraised, and contributed $500 to tennis equipment for the elementary school.
I N TO F I N O ! Organized by Laura Lunty of Tofino Parks and Recreation, 300+ school children experienced try-days at both Wickaninnish Community School and Ucluelet Elementary School. Jeannie Rohr, Tennis BC’s Community Coach, also led evening tennis clinics for adults and training for two recreation centre staff members. The day after the training, more than 30 kids signed up for the newly created community lesson program. Special thanks to Jamies Rainforest Inn who provided complimentary accommodation for Jeannie.
WO MEN ’ S P RO F E SS I O N A L T ENNI S HI T S T HE I S L A ND Panorama Recreation Centre in Sidney will host the Freedom 55 Financial Victoria Women’s ITF Tennis Tournament from June 14 – 22, with a prize money purse of $10,000 US. This event is one of hundreds of entry level tournaments which enable emerging young tennis players to gain valuable ranking points, moving their way up in the professional ranking system. With qualifying and main draw singles, and a doubles event, the tournament expects anywhere between 45 and 64 players to take to the courts. This provides excellent opportunities for our aspiring local players. Eric Knoester, Racquet Sports Coordinator at Panorama, and Tournament Director for this event, credits the decision to host this event to the very successful ITF U18 Junior Tournament held in October 2013. Both levels of event allow the Vancouver Island tennis enthusiasts an opportunity to watch world class tennis action. Partnerships with sponsors, Tennis Canada/Tennis BC, the South Island Tennis Association and the province of BC ensures this event will be a resounding success. Coralee Oaks, Minister of Community, Sports and Cultural Development, is quoted, “Hosting BC is an excellent program the helps make it all happen by funding sporting events throughout the province and we’re proud to support it.”
MATCHPOINT | SUMMER 2014
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