July 20, 2024
Last week marked a thrilling milestone as we launched our inaugural Empower Her program! Empower Her is our Girls Leading Girls Mentorship program, designed to provide young girls with opportunities across various sports, not just tennis, while equipping them with practical skills. Guided by seasoned female coaches, the sessions were crafted to empower, educate, and foster enjoyment in a supportive environment. Participants received tennis lessons, engaged in fitness training, and took part in exciting games and activities that promote teamwork and collaboration.
On Monday, July 15, we hosted our inaugural session with an amazing turnout of girls of 72 participants spanning various ages and skill levels. The event took place at Garneau Tennis and Volleyball Club, offering participants the opportunity to play on clay courts, many experiencing this surface for the first time. It was fascinating to observe how each girl adapted to the different terrain, contributing to their development as well-rounded tennis players.
A highlight of the session was witnessing the girls collaborate and support each other on their sports journey. A particularly heartwarming moment occurred when two participants formed a friendship, exemplifying the positive relationships we aim to cultivate through this program. Part of our mission is to encourage healthy and supportive bonds among young girls, fostering an environment where they can thrive together
Wednesday’s session was another success, and Saturday was particularly remarkable as we witnessed significant progress in both skill development and social relationships among the girls. By this point, they had become more familiar with each other and our coaches, showing increased confidence in their abilities and a healthy competitive spirit.
Following our tennis lessons, we conducted an intense fitness training session, which was followed by a celebration of our participants’ achievements with pizza and each of them got rackets and additional prizes. A standout moment was when one of our participants had a tennis tournament to attend, and all the girls rallied around her, demonstrating genuine support and excitement for her endeavors.
During our discussions, the girls shared their insights on what Empower Her meant to them and how it had positively impacted their lives. It was a truly rewarding experience for us at the Edmonton Tennis Community, reaffirming our commitment to programs that empower young girls through sports. We look forward to organizing more programs like this in the future, continuing to inspire and empower girls in our community.