Jacqueline L. Boutet award

This annual award honours an individual whose sustained contributions to the tennis community have helped make the sport more equitable, inclusive, and accessible — particularly for women and girls. 

As Chair of the Board of Directors at Tennis Canada for several years, Ms. Jacqueline Boutet was a distinguished businesswoman and pioneer who paved the way for many women now holding prestigious positions. Her civic spirit led her to devote her life to promoting sport and the arts, while generously supporting health-related organizations and foundations. 

Among her notable accomplishments, she successfully saved the Montreal tournament by securing funding from the private sector and various levels of government to completely transform Jarry Park — turning it from a baseball venue into a stunning tennis stadium capable of hosting one of the world’s premier tournaments. Today, the prestigious National Bank Open presented by Rogers alternates between hosting the world’s top men’s and women’s players, keeping the spotlight on Montreal. 

The award recipient will receive a trophy and plaque recognizing their achievements, as well as a ticket for themselves and one guest to attend the UNMATCHED Conference. They will also receive a pair of tickets to attend the semifinals of the National Bank Open in Montreal. 

Who is eligible? 

• Any individual who has dedicated at least five years to developing tennis. 
   (Please note: current members of a Provincial and Territorial Tennis Association (PTTA) are not eligible.) 
• The nominee must be a member of the Canadian community. 

Selection Criteria 

• A commitment of five years or more 
• Mentorship of women and girls, especially those from the following communities: Black, Indigenous, racialized, persons with disabilities, or 2SLGBTQ+ 
• Concrete and measurable impact in the tennis community 
• Dedication, community spirit, and a strong sense of commitment 
• The recipient must be present at the UNMATCHED Conference to receive the award 

Presentation Video 

If your nomination is selected, you will be asked to submit a short video (30 seconds) explaining why you nominated this person. This video may be shown during the award presentation at the conference.