Week of November 17, 2023

Team Canada Wins 2023

Billie Jean King Cup!

Players from across Canada, including two Ontarians, secure trophy with a two match to none defeat of Team Italy in Final.

Team Canada won it’s first-ever Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Fed Cup), last week in Seville! The victorious team, pictured above, left to right, included Captain Heidi El Tabakh, Leylah Fernandez (Montreal), Rebecca Marino (Vancouver), Marina Stakusic (Etobicoke), Eugenie Bouchard (Montreal) and Gabriela Dabrowski (Ottawa). They defeated Spain and Poland by the 3 matches to none in group play and followed that up with a two match to one semi-final win versus Chechia, before defeating Italy in the final.  

Fernandez led the way for Team Canada with four singles and one doubles victory throughout the tournament, but the biggest surprise came from Stakusic, who, fresh off an ITF W60 tournament victory in Toronto, won 3 singles matches, including a victory to lead things off against Italy in the final. Only 18 years old, Stakusic entered the event with a WTA ranking of 258 but proceeded to defeat three players ranked in the top 63 in the world! Dabrowski, coming off a semi-final showing in the WTA Doubles finals in Mexico, rushed over to Spain and contributed 3 victories in doubles play, including a decisive win with Fernandez against Chechia in the semi-finals!

Congratulations Team Canada!
For complete results, click here.
Photo courtesy of Tennis Canada/Martin Sidorjak.

Liam Draxl Victorious in Calgary!

Former OTA junior champion wins ATP 80 Calgary National Bank Challenger singles title.

Gaining entry to the tournament as a wildcard, Liam Draxl (Newmarket) defeated the tournament’s top seed, German Dominik Koepfer (ranked 82 in the world), in straight sets 6-4, 6-3. The tournament victory was his third singles title of the year – and his first ATP crown.

The victory moved the 21-year-old up 133 positions in the ATP singles rankings to a career-high of 297.

Draxl’s singles victory is the latest in a string of successes by Ontario players on the ITF, ATP and WTA pro tours. Recent tournament winners from Ontario include Vicky Mboko (Burlington), Katheryn Sebov (Woodbridge), Justin Boulais, (Oakville), who also won the doubles last week in Calgary, and Marina Stakusic, (Etobicoke). Kayla Cross (London) also won her second career ITF Doubles crown in Edmonton. Of course, the most notable triumphs include Stakusic’s success alongside Gabriela Dabrowski (Ottawa) and the rest of Team Canada, who were victorious at the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals last weekend and Dabrowski’s US Open Ladies Doubles Championship win, alongside her partner, former Ontario Junior Champion Erin Routliffe, who now plays under the New Zealand flag.

Go Team Ontario!

For complete Calgary results, click here.

2023 TPA Club Pro 2 Course

In a culmination of dedication and skill development, the Ontario Tennis Association (OTA) and the Tennis Professionals Association (TPA) have successfully wrapped up the 2023 Club Pro 2 course, spanning from April to November. This comprehensive program, a crucial component of Tennis Canada's certification pathway, focuses on elevating Club Professionals to advanced levels of competency.

Throughout the year, CP2 candidates invested a total of 12 days on the court and 4 days in the classroom, immersing themselves in the intricacies of the Club Pro 2 curriculum. As the third level in Tennis Canada's certification framework, the Club Professional 2 (NCCP Context: Competition Introduction Advanced) course aims to equip professionals with the multifaceted skills essential for thriving in various capacities within a tennis club.

Designed to foster the development of well-rounded Club Professionals, the course prepares individuals for roles such as a full-time Club Professional, an assistant to the Tennis Director or Head Professional, or a leader at a seasonal facility or community club. Participants gain expertise in managing the progress of red, orange, green court, and U-12 recreational and competitive players, as well as developing recreational and competitive adults up to a 4.5 level in both singles and doubles.
Beyond honing on-court skills, the Club Professional 2 course delves into the business side of tennis, introducing candidates to administrative, financial, and budgeting aspects. This knowledge empowers them to plan, market, and deliver a comprehensive array of effective on and off-court club programming.

The course drew attendees from across Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces, fostering a diverse and enriching learning environment. The Sobeys Stadium in Toronto and the Granite Club served as the venues for this immersive learning experience.

The success of the Club Pro 2 course is attributed to the collaborative efforts of the TPA course facilitators. A special acknowledgment goes to Andy Sutton, Gary Caron, Paul Cairns, Al Millar, Jon Kudjerski, Steve Mahar, Leigh Bradwell, Isabella Baston, and Nikki Carnovale for their unwavering commitment both on and off the court.
As the 2023 Club Pro 2 course concludes, the OTA and TPA celebrate the growth and expertise gained by the dedicated professionals, reinforcing their commitment to advancing the standards of tennis excellence in Canada.

For more information on TPA courses, click here.

Instructor Course at Premier Racquet Club

The November Instructor Level 1 Course is already underway at Sobeys Stadium. This coaching education program boasts an impressive enrollment of 20 candidates, poised to embark on a transformative journey in tennis education.

Aligned with a mission to stimulate player retention and growth, deliver quality tennis programs, and promote tennis as a sport for life, the Sobeys Instructor Level 1 Course is dedicated to developing skilled and passionate instructors. Participants are immersed in a well-rounded curriculum, combining on-court practical sessions and engaging classroom discussions to enhance coaching skills and contribute to the growth of tennis in their communities.

For those eager to join the coaching ranks, it's essential to note that registration is still open for the upcoming December Instructor Level 1 at Premier Racquet Clubs.

For more information, please see below.

Course: Premier Instructor Level 1
Date: December 10th, 11th, 14th, 17th, 18th, and 21st
Venue: Premier Racquet Clubs
Address: 73 Wootten Way N, Markham, ON L3P 2K9

Registration: Click here to register

Note: Please be aware that on-court training is scheduled on weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm (specifically on December 11th, 14th, 18th, and 21st). All in-class sessions will be conducted virtually on December 10th and 21st

If you have any questions or concerns regarding coaching certification, please email achappell@tennisontario.com.

Another Green Means Go Event

at Sobeys Stadium!

Members of the East Gwillimbury Tennis Club took part in the OTA’s Green Means Go program earlier this week at Sobeys Stadium. The participants were treated to general play, instructional tips, a Yonex racquet demo and giveaways. Special thanks to Coach Jordana Lee for helping to organize the players! Green Means Go is an OTA ClubStrong program designed for 50+ players. Encourage your community club executive to book your clubs’ date at Sobeys! Dates to be announced soon. Contact Ely Schwartz at eschwartz@tennisontario.com to book. For more information on Green Means Go, click here.

Black Friday Coming Soon at

Merchant of Tennis!

Merchant of Tennis Black Friday sale is a week away!

Sign up for the Merchant of Tennis Newsletter to get notified with more details.
www.merchantoftennis.com/pages/newsletter

MerchantOfTennis.com is open 24/7 with shipping and store pickup services available.

Store hours and updated information: www.merchantoftennis.com/pages/contact-us

Connect with Merchant of Tennis:
www.instagram.com/merchanttennis/
www.facebook.com/MerchantTennis/

Shop Gift Cards: www.merchantoftennis.com/collections/gift-cards/

OTA U9/U10 Court Captain Pilot Program

The OTA, in association with Tennis Canada, has launched a pilot program to provide on-court support to young players participating in the OTA U9/U10 Circuit. The “Court Captain” initiative is designed to help inform, educate, and encourage these young circuit players to promote fair play on the court while they compete.

The role of the Court Captains is to help with on-court support under the leadership of the event’s Tournament Director. It will be the responsibility of the Court Captain to assure that the courts are ready for play and to help provide and reinforce information pertaining to rules and proper competitive player behaviour (ex: reminding players to call out the scores), while also being on-hand to adjudicate on-court rules infractions such as line calls. Court Captains are not expected to deal with parents, give out code-violations and/or track every point. Ideally, the Court Captain will have a tennis background and a good understanding of the rules and etiquette of the sport.

The Court Captain Program aims to recruit individuals (ages 14 and over) who would like to contribute to creating a positive tennis experience. Two primary targets of this program will include high school students looking for community service hours and seniors looking to give back to the tennis community.

Successful applicants will be provided with an official uniform which includes a t-shirt and cap and a $100 stipend for each tournament. Students enrolling in the Court Captain volunteer program can obtain hours for high school credit (if applicable).

For more information on the Court Captains program, email ota@tennisontario.com and write “Court Captain info” in the subject line.

Check Out the Latest ONTENNIS Podcast

The ONTENNIS Podcast presented by Merchant of Tennis caught up with Pierre Lamarche to talk all things tennis. Player, coach, mentor, Captain, Hall of Famer and Academy builder; there is no one who has contributed more to Canadian Tennis than Pierre. Listen in as Pierre talks about his early days as a player and later as a coach and Davis Cup/Fed Cup/Olympic captain while at Tennis Canada. Learn how he built the high-performance academy business in Canada through the founding of All Canadian Sports Management and ACE Academy. Find out where he sees tennis in Canada in the future and much more! A must-listen to for any fan of Canadian tennis! Check out the episode on Soundcloud here or search ONTENNIS on Apple and Spotify podcasts. Enjoy!

Mission Elite Mental Performance

Development Training

Mission Elite Mentality: The Official Mindset Academy of Mission Elite.
Mental Performance Development and Sessions for Pros, NCAA Players, Juniors, Beginners and Adults.

Mission Elite is proud to announce that both 1-on-1 and Weekly sessions with mental performance coaches will be accessible through their Mindset Academy in Mission Elite Academy.

The Mindset Academy will look to educate and help build the mentality, perspective, awareness and actions essential for the utmost peak performance.

The weekly class sessions will be led and overseen by Mission Elite CEO, Raheel Manji. Raheel's experience has led him to win multiple pro titles, compete at the ATP Masters 1000, and win an ITA National Summer Championship as the #1 singles and doubles player for Indiana University. He has coached and consulted at all four Grand Slams, a Power 5 Sweet 16 NCAA program, a Top 5 NCAA Recruiting class, and continues to work with some of the best players in the world. Raheel also holds certificates of completion in Neuroplasticity and Sports Psychology, while being trained in Psychology of Performance.

If you'd like to work with Raheel, now is your chance!

Registration for the weekly classes are officially open!

The 1-on-1 sessions will be led by the available Mission Elite Mentality coach of your choosing.

WEEKLY CLASS SESSIONS: FALL TERM

November 14th - December 12th

Mission Elite Mentality will host its weekly class sessions on Tuesdays from 5 PM to 6 PM ET during the fall term.

Registration and details for this program can be found at:
https://www.missionelitetennis.com/mindset-academy

If you have any questions or comments, please refer them to our Director of Operations, Don Pierre, at info@missionelitetennis.com.

OTA Club and Regional News

Port Hope Racquet Club to Get Fall/Winter Dome

The existing dome is currently owned and managed by All Canadian Sports Management (ACSM), a Canadian tennis industry leader that is committed to “growing the game” in Canada and a partner of the PHRC through ACE Tennis. The PHRC learned of the opportunity to acquire the dome, aka “bubble,” early in spring of 2023. The Club worked simultaneously with ACE Tennis and the Municipality to develop a proposal for Council approval and identify potential sources of funding. We are thrilled to announce that on Tuesday November 7th, Council ratified a motion to approve the project moving forward. This approval allows for important next steps in the project to occur, including site plan review and geotechnical work, which will confirm that the project meets conditions and can proceed.

Why Port Hope? Nestled along the shores of Lake Ontario, this vibrant and historic town is perfectly situated. There is currently no access to a dedicated indoor tennis facility in the Northumberland, Peterborough and Quinte regions and the courts are easily accessed from the 401 corridors. “Along with making year-round tennis available to the existing players in the region, this dome widens access to the sport at all levels and opens up new, affordable options for families who are looking for winter activities,” notes Julia Snoek, Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture for the Municipality of Port Hope.

Why tennis? “We know that movement and sport is key for both physical and mental health at any age, but there are some key factors that differentiate tennis;” says Gillian Smith-Clark, President of the PHRC. “Tennis is a sport for life, and we offer programs starting at age four. It’s an easy entry, low-contact, affordable sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.” 

Why Now? Interest in tennis continues to grow in Canada and in other countries. Yet according to Tennis Canada, only 10 percent of community tennis courts are covered to allow for year-round play. “This is an exciting opportunity for Port Hope, and a win-win situation for all parties,” says Pierre Lamarche, Founder and CEO of ACSM. “Along with all the other benefits, the ability to host tournaments and develop a competitive program will be a huge draw for the community. Port Hope will become a ’tennis destination’.”

The PHRC has launched a fundraising campaign to build a fourth tennis court and retrofit the dome over its existing tennis courts, as well as the related capital costs. To learn more about the “raise the dome” project and how you can support this game-changing initiative, visit: phrc.on.ca/raise-the-dome.

About the Port Hope Racquet Club:

Founded in 2002, the Port Hope Racquet Club (PHRC) was established as a non-profit corporation by a group of dedicated tennis players who were passionate about establishing a community club in Port Hope with the goal of growing the game of tennis. Run entirely by volunteers, the PHRC is committed to promoting the game of tennis to the community by providing affordable tennis lessons, summer camps, leagues, events, and tournaments as well as contributing to the maintenance and stewardship of the courts. The PHRC works with ACE Tennis to deliver high-quality lessons and events. 

For more information about the PHRC visit PHRC.ca

About All Canadian Sports Management and ACE Tennis:

ACE Tennis is owned and operated by its parent company All Canadian Sports Management, Inc. (ACSM) - a Canadian tennis industry leader committed to “Growing the Game” in Canada. With over 40 years of experience, ACSM provides leading edge guidance and information to partners requiring assistance in the development of various components of the tennis infrastructure including facility development and management; player development and management; coaching formation; and events development and implementation. 

For more information about ACSM and ACE Tennis, visit: 
acetennis.ca/all-canadian-sports-management/

Media Contacts:

Port Hope Racquet Club
Eva Lannon, Media Relations 
Ph: 416-300-9721 
Stephanie Campbell, Media Relations 
Ph: 289-251-0590 
raisethedome@phrc.ca

Municipality of Port Hope
Kate Ingram, Acting Director, Corporate Services/Manager, Communications 
Ph: 905-885-4544 
communications@porthope.ca

ACE Tennis/ACSM
Pierre Lamarche, Founder 
Ph: 905-616-6970 
pierre@acetennis.ca

Bruce Childs Award Recipients @

Grimsby Tennis Club

The Grimsby Tennis Club honoured two of its volunteers, Carole Webster and Sue Henry, at the club’s recent AGM, presenting them with an OTA Bruce Childs Volunteer Award in recognition of their contributions to the club and the sport of tennis.

For many years Sue Henry organized and ran both sessions of the Ladies’ League with the assistance of Carole Webster. Sue was instrumental in forming competitive, friendly League Tennis, based on skill level. Running the league was not an easy task. Addressing all the various needs of the players and keeping everyone happy was a definite challenge. Sue handled this by having several brief meetings with the ladies prior to play, to discuss the philosophy of league play and give an opportunity for the ladies to give feedback and express any concerns. This demonstrates the efforts that Sue made to make the league a successful and enjoyable experience for all. Both Sue and Carole put in many extra hours above and beyond just organizing the league and would frequently arrive at 6pm to assist with the novice players and encourage them to improve their skills. During the period that Sue was League Captain, the leagues were vibrant and well attended, which is a testament to a job well done.

Both Sue and Carole have been willing and enthusiastic long-term volunteers at the club, helping with many of the social events and tournaments with both set up and clean up. We never had to ask for their help. They would always approach to ask what they can do to assist, whenever available.

Sue and Carole played a large role in helping with the Wheelchair Tennis Tournament. They both worked diligently courtside and attended every single day of the tournament. Carole volunteered all three years and Sue two years, as family visits prevented her from assisting this year. The second year they were put in charge of coordinating the schedule for all the volunteers and I know they spent many hours working together to organize this. Both Sue and Carole engaged on a personal level with the athletes. They even went to the effort of buying a bucket and spade for one of the young athlete’s daughters, so he could take her to the beach at the lake to play in the sand. It was small gestures like these that warmed the hearts of the athletes and made the Wheelchair Tournaments in Grimsby some of the most successful and memorable experiences for the players.

Neither Sue nor Carole have ever served on the Executive, but they have been a very visible, active, and integral part of the club. They are exemplary models of what a volunteer club is all about.

Pictured above, left to right, Carole Webster, club Social Director Amanda Fraser, who presented the awards, Club President Ron Mauro and Sue Henry.

Bruce Childs was a volunteer at a Toronto community tennis club years ago. As a tribute to his hard work at his tennis club in a volunteer role, one of the OTA’s former Board members felt it would be an appropriate and well-deserved tribute to name a club award in his honour. The award was established to recognize an executive member or dedicated club volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to his/her community tennis club for an extended period.

If you are an OTA-member club executive and want more information on the Bruce Childs Award, contact Andrew Chappell, achappell@tennisontario.com.

We Want Your Club and Regional News!

Is your club hosting a significant tournament or event, does it have an anniversary coming up, is there a volunteer or player who deserves recognition for their contributions? If so, we want to hear about it. Just send a photo and a short write-up to us and we’ll feature it in SPIN in our OTA Club and Regional News section. To submit a story for consideration, just email pmalcomson@tennisontario.com.

Tell Us Why You're Great!

Tournaments - Community - Outreach -

Courses

Click the calendar above to see the live list of upcoming events

OTA Marketplace

Improve Your Game with a Silent Partner!

Showcasing a long-standing favorite – Silent Partner, the versatile portable ball machine! With over two decades of excellence, Silent Partner has been the go-to choice for tennis enthusiasts and professionals seeking the ultimate training partner. Known for its impressive ball speed, Silent Partner offers the perfect opportunity to refine your skills and up your game. Proudly Canadian! Visit www.sptennis.ca to learn more and place your order now!

Mastering Doubles with Daniel Nestor!

Daniel Nestor launches new online doubles training academy!

Canadian tennis legend Daniel Nestor recently launched an online doubles training academy designed to help players maximize their potential when competing in doubles competition. The course is designed specifically for doubles players of all levels, from club players to those heading to the pros!

Daniel Nestor is widely considered one of the greatest to ever play doubles tennis. In his storied 28-year professional career, he earned an impressive record of 91 men's doubles titles, including eight Grand Slam victories, as well as an Olympic Gold Medal in 2000. Since retiring in 2018, Daniel has dedicated much of his time to teaching others the lessons he's learned throughout his career. By sharing his invaluable insights, he helps players like you elevate their doubles game at all levels!

The 41-lesson course includes over 1.5 hours of video content, covering all facets of the doubles game including, serving, returning, partnership strategy, teamwork, the mental game, tips, drills and more!

To learn more about Daniels great new online doubles training academy and to order the online course, click here.

To receive a 15% OTA discount, use promo code: OTA

Let Daniel help you to become a force to be reckoned with on the doubles court!

A Marketplace for Everything Tennis!

Whether you’re pro advertising your coaching services, a company wanting to reach the tennis enthusiast, a club looking for new members or you just want to sell some old wooden tennis racquets – you can reach over 15,000 tennis players in Ontario each week via our weekly newsletter SPIN, with an ad in the OTA Marketplace section. Listings and pictures are only $125 per week and all we need is a horizontal image like the one above (500 pixels deep X 800 pixels wide) and a couple of paragraphs. We’ll do the rest! Need creative help? We offer creative services at a reasonable cost. For more info, email pmalcomson@tennisontario.com. Include “OTA Marketplace" in the Subject line.