Tennis Yukon is finishing its third and final year as part of Tennis Canada's Building Tennis Communities (BTC) program, which supports communities across Canada using tennis to promote healthy, active lifestyles and family fun.

Stacy Lewis, President of Tennis Yukon, represented Tennis Yukon at the annual BTC conference in Toronto on the weekend.

"It is really exciting to share our stories,” Lewis said. "But even more energizing to be reminded that growing tennis in the Yukon is actually part of a much bigger movement of positive change tennis is bringing to communities all across the country.”

With the modified equipment Tennis Yukon now uses, the organization is breaking down the barriers to trying tennis in the north, Lewis added.

"Portable nets, softer balls, and smaller racquets mean not only can you play tennis anywhere, but also kids have quicker and greater success – and therefore more fun!” she said. "For us in the Yukon, it means we can play tennis in the gyms during the winter. The modified equipment also means families can enjoy the game together. People of different abilities and different ages can play together and have a fun game. Tennis is one of the only sports like that.”

A big part of the BTC strategy is to teach tennis as an activity people can enjoy their whole life.

When Tennis Yukon started in 2007, there were 27 members, the club offered lessons for a couple of hours on Sunday afternoons at Yukon College.

Now, after 3 years, membership is up to 100, the partnership with Parks and Recreation is well-established, the after-school lessons for juniors and adults is running at full capacity with 50 people enrolled, more communities participated last summer, as well as eight elementary schools last year – reaching 683 kids.

While enrolled in the BTC program, Tennis Yukon received some financial support from Tennis Canada to help purchase equipment and other costs, and has also been fortunate to have support from YTG Community Services Sport and Recreation branch too.

"I'm so excited that we have completed the 3 year program with tennis really established in Whitehorse,” said Lewis. "Every day we get phone calls from people looking to learn or play tennis. It is much easier in the outdoor season as we have far more flexibility in terms of court availability. We are restricted in the indoor season by the availability of the gyms. We do as best we can to fit people in, but with continued strong growth in numbers, an indoor facility of some type is may be a possibility.”

Efforts at introducing kids to tennis through a school phys ed curriculum helps to fight rising obesity and inactivity issues with children.

"There are so many exciting tennis programs happening in Canada,” said Lewis.

"We offer many here in the Yukon such as schools programs, after-school lessons, team tennis, clinics, seniors tennis, units in sport camps. At different times we have partnered with diabetes awareness and rural communities for programs. I heard many other ideas at the conference that could also be exciting for us to offer.

Things like tennis with foamy balls for people rehabilitating from injuries, street fairs, and special events for corporate groups looking for a fun activity for their employees.”

• Article submitted by Tennis Yukon