Serving the Community: Free Tennis Comes to Kensington School

May 6th, 2026

This week, Edmonton Tennis Community (ETC) delivered its second free in school tennis program of 2026, made possible by the generous support of Tennis Alberta and Tennis Canada. The destination this time was Kensington School, and the students were nothing short of amazing.

Over the course of two days, 173 students from Grades 3 to 6 took to the courts, with coaches Jasmine, Miguel, and Emma. The week also included a dedicated session for students with special educational needs, a highlight that speaks to ETC's commitment to inclusive programming. Every participant had the opportunity to build new skills, explore the sport, and enjoy friendly competition in a fun and supportive environment. Coach Jasmine, who led the sessions, summed it up perfectly:

“The tennis program at Kensington School gave children such amazing opportunities to discover the excitement and joy of tennis. The environment was so positive and upbringing! Watching kids who had never played before laugh, encourage one another, celebrate small wins and become more confident through the sport showed how meaningful tennis can be in bringing children together. This program also showed how community can shape children’s ability to build skills and friendship!”

One of the best moments of the week came from the students themselves. By the end of the program, kids were naturally stepping in to help each other, patiently talking their peers through the forehand and backhand they had just learned. One student even asked how they could keep playing tennis outside of school. TENNISfest 2026 is just around the corner and a perfect opportunity to do exactly that!

Accessibility sits at the heart of everything ETC does. All equipment including racquets, balls, and nets are brought directly to the school so students can focus entirely on enjoying the game. Participants play on smaller courts using orange ball tennis, which with its lower bounce and slower speed, is the perfect format for young players discovering the fundamentals and building their confidence in a safe, welcoming environment.

“We are so grateful to the Edmonton Tennis Community for bringing so much energy to our school! What made this so special was seeing how every single student was invited into the game. It didn’t matter if they’d never held a racquet or usually prefer to sit on the sidelines, the coaches came with games and activities that ensured no one was left out. Seeing that excitement when a student tried something new and realized they could actually do it was incredible. The kids were talking about their experience and the fun they had for days afterwards. We’re so grateful for an experience that was new to many and ensured every one of our kids felt like they belonged on the court.” says Kaylie Nyboer, Assistant Principal 

ETC's free school programming has become a meaningful part of Edmonton's sporting community. Each visit connects hundreds of children with a sport they might never have tried otherwise. With the continued support of Tennis Alberta and Tennis Canada, ETC will keep bringing free tennis directly to schools across Edmonton throughout May and June, reaching more students and more communities, one rally at a time!