Racquets Ready! Free Tennis Comes to Meadowlark Christian School

December 5th, 2025

Edmonton Tennis Community (ETC) is proud to support youth sport development by providing free tennis programming to students at Meadowlark Christian School. Delivered throughout the months of November and December 2025, this initiative was made possible through a partnership with Tennis Canada and Tennis Alberta, allowing ETC to offer the lessons at no cost to students and ensuring all children in Grades 4–6 had the opportunity to experience tennis in a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment.

The program was delivered through one-hour sessions, during which ETC coaches introduced students to the fundamentals of tennis, including proper racquet handling, basic techniques, and core game concepts. Sessions were carefully structured to maximize engagement and learning, keeping students active, focused, and excited to participate throughout the hour.

Coach Peter and Coach Conor did an outstanding job leading the program, effectively managing groups of up to 40 students per lesson while maintaining a positive, organized, and engaging learning environment. Their ability to keep large groups active and focused played a key role in the program’s success.

A Grade 4 teacher praised the program's organization and effectiveness, sharing that "the activities were well planned, students were highly engaged, and classroom management was consistently effective throughout." While noting the challenge of the transitions after recess, the teacher added that with a full hour available, they would "gladly participate again."

Feedback from the Grade 5/6 classroom further highlighted the program's impact. One teacher described the experience as "excellent," emphasizing that the coaches were patient, highly skilled at managing students, and effective at maintaining engagement. They also noted that the coaches "worked exceptionally well with children, creating a positive learning environment where students gained a strong foundation in a short period of time."

The lasting impact of the program was especially evident during the fourth and final session, when students were seen leaving the gym thanking the coaches and excitedly sharing their new love for the game of tennis—a powerful reflection of the positive experience created through the program.

Looking ahead, ETC aims to expand the delivery of free school programs, recognizing that youth participation in sport is linked to improved mental health, reduced stress, higher confidence and self-esteem, enhanced cognitive performance and creativity, greater enjoyment of physical activity, and improved emotional well-being.

ETC would like to extend a sincere thank you to Principal McOuat and the staff at Meadowlark Christian School for their support, collaboration, and commitment to providing meaningful physical activity opportunities for students.

ETC is grateful to partner with Tennis Canada, Tennis Alberta, and Meadowlark Christian School to remove barriers to sport participation and introduce tennis to young athletes. By offering free, school-based programs, ETC continues to grow the game and inspire the next generation of players across the community!