Empower Her 2025

July 17th, 2025

Edmonton Tennis Community’s second-ever EMPOWER HER took place on Thursday, July 17th, and what a day it was!

From start to finish, the event buzzed with energy, curiosity, and heart, thanks to the incredible group of 60 girls ages 9-17 who came ready to engage, learn, and lift each other up. Their openness, leadership, and enthusiasm embodied everything EMPOWER HER stands for, building confidence through sport and empowering the next generation of female leaders.

ETC would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Garneau Tennis Club for hosting us on their clay courts, the perfect setting for a day filled with growth and connection. 

This inspiring initiative was led by 10 of ETC’s passionate female coaches and 5 volunteers, whose dedication and expertise made the day truly special. From leading dynamic on-court drills to sharing personal stories of resilience and leadership, their guidance was nothing short of inspiring. These role models showed that strength, skill, and compassion can coexist, and that the impact of women supporting women extends far beyond the lines of a tennis court.

After the on-court drills, all the girls gathered for a meaningful circle of reflection and conversation led by Coach Kristina. Together, they explored the importance of girls in sport, shared which female role models inspire them the most, and talked about what they enjoyed most about the session.

When asked, “What do you think EMPOWER HER means?”, one participant shared:

“I think it means building confidence and making new friends in the same sport.”

Another participant, responding to the question “What female role model in your life inspires you most?”, said:“My mom, because she always encourages me to join all the sports I want and drives me everywhere.”

Moments like these remind us exactly why this program matters.

To wrap it up, the girls were asked who would like to join EMPOWER HER next year for 2026, every single girl raised their hand, a powerful testament to the program’s impact and spirit!

Before heading home, each girl got to choose their own prize, a special way to celebrate their participation and achievements..

At its core, EMPOWER HER is about more than just tennis. It’s about creating a safe, inclusive space where young girls can try new things, build lasting friendships, and discover their potential, on the court and in life.

ETC is so proud of what this initiative is becoming and can’t wait to continue growing and expanding it in the years ahead!