National Training Centres

Under the leadership of Louis Borfiga, September 2012 saw the start of year six of the full-time national training centre (NTC) program in Montreal. After a hugely triumphant 2012 in the results column, more on-court success is expected in 2013.

Several NTC members made international news in 2012, led by Eugenie Bouchard and Filip Peliwo, who became the first Canadians to capture a junior Slam singles title at Wimbledon. Others to serve notice of their potential included Francoise Abanda, who at just 15 years old reached the Wimbledon semifinals, and Gloria Liang, who won the prestigious U16 Orange Bowl. The 2012 season finished with a total of seven NTC players ranked inside the Top 50 on the ITF junior rankings, including four girls in the Top 30.  

The strong results of Canada’s young players helped put the country on the map as one of the top up-and-coming tennis nations even further. With a spotlight on the NTC and its method of developing players, the tennis world took note of Canada’s successful, growing training programs.

From a participant standpoint, Alexis Prokopuik of British Columbia, a junior national champion, joined the NTC family in September. Following a brief hiatus, Ontario’s Charlotte Petrick returned to the Centre on a part-time basis.

Séverine Tamborero began spearheading the U10 player development in Montreal, helping to produce players that will flow into the well-established national U12 program led by André Labelle. Former ATP pro Frédéric Niemeyer is now responsible for the U14 players in Montreal, a new component of the NTC program for 2013.

Tennis Canada’s third National Junior Training Program, located in Vancouver, entered its second full year. Head coach Oded Jacob has brought several talented young B.C. players into the fold and results are already evident. Prokopuik is the first member of the full-time NTC to be selected from the Vancouver training program. 

Montreal Full-Time NTC (2012 - 2013 season)

Francoise Abanda (QC) – Fourth Year

Eugenie Bouchard (QC) – Fifth Year

Gloria Liang (ON) – Second Year

Alexis Prokopuik (ON) – First Year

Erin Routliffe (ON) – Second Year

Carol Zhao (ON) – Third Year

Hugo Di Feo (QC) – Third Year

Filip Peliwo (BC) – Fourth Year

Brayden Schnur (ON) – Second Year

Provincial/Regional Training Programs

Provincial/Regional NTC programs act as feeders into either the full-time or part-time National Training Centres.

Players from provincial/regional programs across the country who are achieving or who show potential to achieve at international levels will be brought together to participate in the national program.

Tryout dates vary by province and are as follows: 

Selection for the program is based on the following criteria:

1)       Coaches evaluation at the tryout

2)       Fitness Testing

3)       Competitive Results

Program fees will apply and vary by province.

Click here for a list of Staff.

NTC Host Family Search

Spring always brings renewal and the National Tennis Centre is no exception to this rule.

Every year, the demand for host families for our athletes grows and finding new families is imperative.
With that in mind, we are seeking your help to find these gems who will allow the NTC to offer an exceptional environment envied by most Tennis Federations around the world. If you know of dynamic families willing to take on the challenge of welcoming a high performance athlete into their home or your own, please do not hesitate to contact André Barette at: abarette@tenniscanada.com
 
We are looking to find host families for athletes, both boys and girls, coming from all over Canada, mostly Anglophones, aged between 14 and 18. These youngters are disciplined, motivated, energetic, have hectic schedules and travel around the world at least 4 months out of the year.

Essential elements required in our host families :

• Close-knit family to provide a safe and stimulating environment.
• Non-smoking home offering the athlete his own room, a work desk and access to high speed internet (for school).
• Fair mastery of spoken English
• Sound eating habits

Additionnal qualities

• Situated near Uniprix stadium in Montreal to facilitate and shorten transportation
• Bilingual
• Other children

Hosting formats :

• Full time : the athlete is “adopted” by his or her host family for one renewable year.
• Part time : the athlete is “adopted” by his or her host family for a few days and nights under these circumstances:
• Young hopefuls are invited for a week long NTC training camp
• Backup for a full-time host family on holiday

Tennis Canada’s compensation for host families:

• Financial compensation of $600 per month for a full time athlete and of $40 a night for a part-time athlete
• Daily transport from home to NTC
• Complimentary Rogers Cup ticket for the tournament in Montreal