School Program

Love of Tennis Flyer

LOVE OF TENNIS SCHOOL PROGRAM

Through this amazing school program participants learn valuable life lessons about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. These life lessons are taught through tennis related activities with the primary goal of having fun. Participants learn about themselves through a range of tennis related experiences enhancing their tennis skills as well as fundamental values for life. As the opportunities on the court expand so do the opportunities for their future.

5 Core Values integrated into all our school programming

Honesty and Integrity

I will follow the rules even when no one is watching. If the ball lands on the line I will call it in.

Perseverance and Passion

I will keep trying one more time with passion. Even when things seem impossible I won't give up.

Commitment

I will do what is promised. I will do what is expected and make no excuses.

Respect

I will listen to others. I will share and take turns and I will be courteous. I will also respect my equipment, the courts I play on and the rules of the game.

Teamwork

I will put us before me.

Love of Tennis School program trains physical educators to introduce children to the game of tennis and the five core values during regular physical education classes. We encourage students to pursue their interest in tennis and adapt its values beyond the classroom. Love of Tennis has 3 general requirements: core lesson exposure, life skills application and tennis skills application.

There are two divisions to the Love of Tennis program. The first is the basic instruction taught in the phys education class by the educators and the second is a team tennis program offered for grade 5 and 6 students with a year end competition against the top teams from each school. The 3 general requirements are continued through the team tennis program.

Core Lesson Exposure

From kindergarten to grade 6 kids can be exposed to this tremendous program in their regular gym class. Mini nets, smaller sized racquets and foam balls give all kids the opportunity to learn tennis in a fun environment. An 8 week lesson plan is provided to each school which gives basic instruction on how to play the game. It is an easy step program that educators can implement in their phys education classes. At the end of each lesson plan is a game that incorporates the lesson learned.

During the team tennis program participants play on a team, develop team work skills and play singles and doubles incorporating the basic instruction into a play situation.

Life Skills Application

This assessment examines the ability of participants to apply life skills learned to tennis and a non tennis setting. Participant's ability to apply life skills is determined through ongoing behavioral observations occurring during class activities.

During team tennis play life skills are also applied and observed.

Tennis Skills Application

Participants are assessed on tennis skills in four areas: forehand, backhand, serve and volley. During the team tennis program participants will complete a given number of tennis and life lessons while playing singles and doubles on their team.

Love of Tennis wants everyone who participates in the school program to have a positive experience, have acquired basic tennis skills and to be able to demonstrate certain fundamental life skills. All participants should be able to carry the life lessons learned through their lifetime and in all areas of their lives.

Results to Date

We received a Community in Action Fund grant for $15,000 from the government of Ontario to start our school program. This was an amazing grant that has made a huge difference in the community so far. It was a pleasure to bring tennis to so many kids who normally wouldn't have the opportunity to play. We wish to continue this great program and have developed the Ottawa Team Tennis Fundraiser to help sustain and grow this program.

To date over 7,500 children have participated in this program, over 150 teachers have been trained and one school site has been updated bringing tennis back to Hillcrest High School. Over 60 students came out last fall to try out for the High School Tennis Team.

The students at St Michael have participated in the junior team tennis program. All students received medals and awards were given out for sportsmanship, most improved and most valuable. For some of these kids it was the first medal and or trophy they have ever received. It was a very memorable and rewarding experience for all the kids involved. The school bus rolled up to Hillcrest Tennis Academy and the kids rushed to the courts barely taking any time to eat their lunch. It was a day they will remember for a lifetime and it is our hope that many more students are able to take part in this amazing experience.

Schools and Partners Involved

These are the schools so far that we have touched with our programs. All these schools have received 2 mini nets, 30 junior racquets and transition balls. Teachers at the schools have been trained to teach the basic tennis skills during the physical education program.

Vincent Massey Public School
Hawthorne Public School
St Michaels Catholic School - Vanier
St Marguerite D'Youville
Berrigan Elementary School
Farley Mowat Public School
Our Lady of Victory
Pleasant Park Public School
Roberta Bondar Public School

The Ottawa Boys & Girls Club off Pinecrest has also received 2 mini nets, 30 racquets and transition balls. A tennis program was taught to volunteers who administered tennis in an after homework club. This facility is close to Our Lady of Victory who has students at the school that take advantage of this terrific program. These kids love tennis and would have never been exposed to the basic skills or the life skills that tennis offers on and off the court for a lifetime.

Other Schools we Have Touched

We also work with these schools by going into the school to provide programs. There is a huge demand and an extreme need for more equipment and training in schools in this region. We hope to meet these demands through our fundraising program and in the next five years reach 25 schools.

Manor Park Public School
Dunlop Public School

Equipment Purchase Form

A very special thank-you goes to Tommy & Lefebvre who has provided us with an equipment order form for our schools. This is important to have such a dedicated local business in Ottawa that can provide us with a service for schools who wish to upgrade their existing equipment. All equipment the schools received were ordered from Tommy & Lefebvre.

Schools that have fundraising or money in their budget to purchase a set of equipment for their school may also do so. We would be more than willing to come and train your teachers in running this program in your physical education class for free.

How to Get Involved

There are several options to help schools bring these life enhancing skills to your students. If any of these options meet your requirements please e-mail us at with your request.

If you require equipment

If your school wishes to receive tennis equipment that can be used in your class we will have a registration form available as we obtain more funding through our fundraiser. At this time registration is full. You can send us an e-mail at and we will send you the registration form once application and funding is available.

You may borrow equipment

If your school wishes to borrow equipment to use it is available however a teacher from your school must take a training course from one of our certified instructors. We will come to your school to give the training and it should take about 1-2 hours. A physical education guide for teaching tennis in schools will be left with your school. It has 8 lesson plans that provide the basic instruction with pictures that are very easy to follow.

Free introduction to Tennis for your School

The demand for this program is very high. The needs for this will be met on a first come basis. We will come to your school and provide a fun, free introduction to tennis and we provide the equipment. Priority will be given to schools with the majority of families who live in poverty.

Junior Team Tennis Program

This program is for grade 5-6. It involves 6 weeks of team tennis play. No tennis experience is required however priority is given to schools that have tennis on their curriculum. The top teams from each school are eligible to compete in the final team tennis competition and win a trophy for their school. This program emphasizes basic tennis skills, and the 5 essential core values that participants can learn off and on the court that will change their lives in a positive way forever.

Please note that there must be a teacher at the school that becomes the support person who helps take the lead to move this program forward in their facility. We require a partnership with the school in order for any of these programs to be successful. If you have interest in any of these please contact.

Join our Team Tennis Tournament

Get a team of 4 teachers together - 2 men and 2 women to play in our annual fundraising event. This is a fun event and players are placed in categories based on their level. The main goal is to raise money to grow the school program, upgrade sites, purchase equipment, train teachers and grow the team tennis program. If you wish more information on this amazing event please e-mail .

Sponsorship Information Printable Donation Form

Requirements for our School Programs

We appreciate all sponsorship and donations to our organization. This program has made a significant impact on the community so far but we have a long way to go to reach all kids and not leave anyone out. We hope that all kids are able to participate in this program and develop the life enhancing skills that are incorporated in to our programs.

A school package and training for one school costs $2,000.00
A junior team tennis program at one school costs $200
The junior team tennis tournament costs $2,000.00
To upgrade two courts at one school site costs $15,000.

If you wish to donate to our organization to allow us to expand our school program and wish a charitable tax receipt please print off the above form and send a cheque to Tennis Canada. Please mention that you wish the money to be allocated to Ottawa Tennis Community Centre Community Program in Ottawa.

Ottawa Team Tennis Tournament 2008

The team tennis tournament is our annual fundraiser to raise money for the school program. The school program is free for all participants so therefore we run this amazing event to be able to bring tennis to many children who would not normally be able to participate.

According to the Ottawa Vital Signs survey in 2006 one in five families lives below the poverty line. In Ottawa 70,830 families lived below the poverty line.

In the same survey done by the Ottawa Community Foundation close to 40,000 people in Ottawa require emergency food assistance through programs the Ottawa Food Bank supports and 39% of those were children.

These families do not have the resources to put their children in sports. This school program provides an amazing opportunity and impacts the lives of these participants through the life skills incorporated through our programs. It is an important life enhancing program.

This tournament is fun, for all levels and creates a great team experience but also makes a huge impact in the community for these kids. See more information on this website under Team Tennis Tournament.