One year ago, Chatham-Kent, Ontario was one of six municipalities to receive funding to develop indoor tennis courts through the Year-Round Community Tennis Courts Program presented by Rogers. Then in 2025, the municipality once again was given funding under the Game. Set. Equity. Community Tennis Grants presented by National Bank to support programming for women and girls so that they have new opportunities to stay involved in the sport.
Four new year-round tennis courts will be inaugurated later this year as part of the Bear Line Park Project which will create 400 additional hours of indoor court time for tennis players in the area and for initiatives like Queen of Aces which will continue to grow thanks to the community tennis grant.
The accessible program, brought to life through a partnership between CK Recreation (Municipality of Chatham-Kent), the CK Racquet Centre and Children’s Treatment Centre, is for girls and women between the ages of 10-20 to help them gain confidence, develop essential skills and embrace an active lifestyle. It aims to help break down barriers by providing an inclusive and accessible tennis program for young females who haven’t had the chance to experience the sport before.
Chatham-Kent is one of 28 organizations located in nine provinces and two territories to be offered support this year courtesy of community tennis grants which represents marking the largest-ever group of grant recipients.
“Every year, the momentum behind this program continues to grow — and this latest group of recipients shows not only how deeply invested and engaged communities across the country are to making tennis more inclusive, but also how great the need remains,” said Terri Temelini, Director, Women & Girls Advancement, Tennis Canada. “These grants go beyond funding — they represent a meaningful step toward a more equitable future for our sport. We’re proud to support so many organizations creating real opportunities for women and girls, and we look forward to continuing this important work alongside National Bank.”
Learn more about the 28 recipients and how they are fostering a better future for women and girls in their communities through tennis. Plus, get notified when grant applications open for 2026.
