Tennis BC Showcasing Opportunities in Tennis With Girls. Set. Match.

Tennis Canada and National Bank recently partnered on a long-term equality strategy that will create meaningful action and change for gender equality in tennis. Girls. Set. Match. will create new opportunities for women and girls in tennis, encouraging them to continue playing and enticing even more to pick up a racquet, become lifelong participants, and coaches and reap the benefits of an active lifestyle and personal growth through sport.

The initiative has especially taken off in British Columbia thanks to the Girls. Set. Match. Tour led by Jeannie Rohr and Maheen Dada. They were named one of the inaugural recipients of the newly-established Game. Set. Equity. Community Tennis Grant which will allow them to organize four events across the province that will give girls of any skill level between the ages of 6-18 the chance to play in a comfortable, inclusive environment all while enjoying a team-oriented and all-female experience. 

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The grant also permitted them to join forces with the “Inspired through Sport” initiative which is an educational leadership program which includes leadership workshops and as well as a women’s tennis instructor course.  

“Receiving a gender equity grant from Tennis Canada provides Tennis BC the resources it needs to provide equitable and inclusive play opportunities for girls and women,” said Rohr, Tennis BC’s Director of Community Development & Coaching Certification.  “The investment in girls’ initiatives has a direct impact on building stronger foundations to open doors for girls and women to see a future for themselves in the sport, as an athlete, coach, mentor and leader.”

The tournaments feature female umpires, rovers, managers, teachers, and women in other roles to show the participants that tennis isn’t only about playing and that there are plenty of avenues to explore to stay involved in the game.

READ: THE EDMONTON JUNIOR TENNIS SOCIETY IS INSPIRING CHILDREN TO LOVE THE SPORT

The first Girls. Set. Match. event was held in April of 2022 just prior to Canada’s Billie Jean King Cup tie against Latvia in Vancouver and had an impressive turnout with 138 girls taking part. Rebecca Marino also stopped by to play and interact with the participants which was a big thrill for everyone involved. The WTA pro has been actively involved with the program ever since, including another appearance before this year’s Canada vs. Belgium tie at the Pacific Coliseum, and has quickly become the role model the girls need to make tennis their sport for a lifetime.

One of the goals for the future is to expand the Tour to different venues in British Columbia and eventually host as many as six events per year. Dada and Rohr have also started to introduce orange and green ball drills and matches to get the younger generation involved. They also want the girls currently in the program to acquire the skills and expertise to contribute to the continued success of Girls. Set. Match. by putting on tournaments of their own.

The many girls and leaders involved in this impressive initiative have plenty of reasons to be inspired, starting with the lifelong bond they’ve built amongst themselves.