Raising a Racquet for Kids Across the Country

November 24, 2008

The mission to grow, promote and showcase tennis in Canada has been in full force during the month of November with two Raising a Racquet for Kids fundraisers taking place in to two key regions of the country.

Last Thursday in Halifax, the world’s top doubles player, Daniel Nestor (Toronto) and rising singles star Peter Polansky (Thornhill, Ontario) participated in an exhibition match at the Courtyard Club. The event was hosted by the Atlantic Tennis Alliance in an attempt to raise money for their training program.

The Atlantic Training Program will provide the Atlantic region’s best junior athletes with access to Tennis Canada's top coaches at annual training camps. The program will expand to include regional feeder training programs for top Under-8 and Under-10 athletes that will identify, develop and nurture top juniors for the future programs. The funds raised will ensure that top athletes get access to the best programs and training based on their commitment level, potential and competitive performance and not their financial means or location.

In addition to the on-court exhibition, the evening’s events included a gala reception and both live and silent auctions. The official amount for this year’s fundraiser has not yet been tallied but last year’s event raised more than $35,000.

“I think it’s important to give back to tennis and try to promote tennis around the country,” said Nestor at the event. “I think right around the world tennis is more popular than it has been in a while and this is just an opportunity to come out here and hopefully get more kids playing the sport.”

Following in the Atlantic region’s footsteps, the Prairies have organized a similar Raising a Racquet for Kids fundraiser set to take place in Winnipeg on Wednesday, November 26.

The Winnipeg Winter Club will welcome Canada’s top male singles player Frank Dancevic (Niagara Falls, Ontario), 2006 Junior French Open finalist Philip Bester (Vancouver) and former Top 5 doubles player and Grand Slam champion Ellis Ferreira (South Africa).  

The three pros will spend time hitting with the region’s top junior players as well as club and recreational players who purchased court time with the guys. They will then play an exhibition match against each other followed by a banquet dinner where guests will get to mingle with the players. The event is expected to be a huge success and raise significant funds for the development of junior tennis in Manitoba.