Rallying in the Wind: ETC Takes Tennis Outdoors at Sturgeon Heights School

May 20th, 2026

In its fourth week of free tennis programming, the Edmonton Tennis Community (ETC) team ventured to Sturgeon Heights School in St. Albert where the first outdoor school program of the year was delivered. Although it was not the May weather one would hope for, the wind, rain, and cold temperatures did not stop these kids!

Across two days, more than 80 Grade 4, 5 and 6 students got to try tennis. With no proper tennis court available, coaches Jasmine, Rafiel, and Emma turned a concrete basketball court into a tennis space, bringing nets and markers along to set up the courts and lines. Through a mix of games, drills, and skill-based activities, students worked on the fundamentals of the sport in an environment built to be fun, welcoming, and full of energy. They also learned quickly that outdoor tennis comes with its own challenges, as every rally had to account for the wind, but this did not deter them!

The final game of day two became a clear favourite. Called Jail, it gives students the chance to put everything they have learned into action. Each player hits a ball over the net to stay safe, and a miss sends them straight to "jail". Classmates can free each other by landing a ball of their own over the net, but the players then must run back to the line while the coach (gently) tosses balls their way. Get tagged and it is back to jail. By the end, the students were so into the game that the coaches had a hard time wrapping it up.

For Coach Emma, one small moment captured why the program matters:

"As we were packing up on the second day, a young boy came up and asked if he could take his racquet home to keep playing. It is a small thing, but it really stuck with me. When a kid is already thinking about how to keep playing after we leave, you know the program is doing what it is meant to do. When that happens, you know tennis has actually meant something to them."

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.

“The introduction to tennis program gave Sturgeon Heights elementary school students the opportunity to build confidence, stay active, and develop teamwork skills in a fun and supportive environment. Through engaging games and beginner-friendly lessons, students learned the fundamentals of tennis while improving coordination, sportsmanship, and a love for physical activity. The program created excitement among participants and encouraged healthy habits both on and off the court. Instructors were both fun and relatable, our students thoroughly enjoyed their positivity and love for the game of tennis. We look forward to being part of the program again in the future.” says Lauren Rutherford, a teacher at Sturgeon Heights School.

Thanks to the generous support of Tennis Alberta and Tennis Canada, ETC will continue delivering free tennis programs to schools across Edmonton, reaching even more students and communities along the way.