Love All: ETC Visits Our Lady of Victories Catholic Elementary

May 13th, 2026

Edmonton Tennis Community (ETC) delivered its third free in school tennis program of 2026, made possible by the generous support of Tennis Alberta and Tennis Canada. The destination this time was Our Lady Victories Catholic Elementary School, and the students left a lasting impression on the coaches.

Sixty students across Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 4 classes picked up a tennis racquet this week, many for the very first time. Spanning two days of lessons, the program gave students the chance to build on what they learned from day one, and their improvement was remarkable to watch. With the youngest participants ETC has welcomed in this year’s free school programming, coaches Jasmine, Miguel, and Emma tailored the games and drills to meet each age group, ensuring every student could take part, feel challenged, and most importantly, have fun. Through structured activities and skill-based drills, they introduced students to the fundamentals of tennis in a dynamic, encouraging environment designed to make everyone feel welcome and capable.

For Coach Miguel, the week at Our Lady of Victories was as much about what the coaches gained as what the students learned:

"Our experience at Our Lady of Victories School was truly wonderful! It was a very special opportunity to teach tennis and share the fundamentals of the sport with these students. We had an incredible amount of fun throughout the program. What surprised and touched us the most was the solidarity among the students, the enthusiasm they showed in every class, and the genuine joy they found in learning this sport. Their energy, their laughter, and their willingness to help the coaches in every session created an unforgettable environment. We learned a great deal from them and from the solidarity they showed as a group. It was a meaningful and memorable experience that we will always appreciate."

The highlight of the week came right at the end of the final day, when the Grade 4 class surprised the coaches with an envelope of handwritten cards, one from each student.

Each was personal, heartfelt, and beautifully decorated with hand drawn tennis balls, racquets, and one student even sketched out a full scene from a game of Court Master. The words inside were just as touching: "I like playing tennis at home, but it was more fun here. It made me feel excited and happy. Thank you." Another wrote, "Even after 2 days I feel like a Master! Thanks to you! Hope you come back again soon," and one more simply said, "Thank you for teaching me how to play when I was struggling. I learned so much things." Those cards are a reminder of exactly why this program exists.

Making the program truly accessible is a priority for ETC. All necessary equipment, including racquets, tennis balls, and nets, is supplied and brought directly to the school, so that students can focus entirely on learning and enjoying the sport without any barriers to participation.

With the support of its partners, ETC will continue delivering free tennis programs to schools across Edmonton throughout May and June, reaching even more students and communities along the way.