On Friday, Tennis Canada and U SPORTS announced exciting news for university tennis in Canada, as tennis becomes the first Pilot Sport (P3) in program history. This collaboration, which started this fall, will further improve the student-athlete experience, giving tennis players more opportunities to compete at a higher level within the Canadian education system.
The decision to unite tennis with U SPORTS stems from a shared vision of providing competitive opportunities and promoting positive experiences for all those involved in the sport. By enhancing the current university tennis events and exploring new options, the hope is that more people will continue to play tennis during, and beyond, their university years.
Lisette Johnson-Stapley, Chief Sport Officer of U SPORTS
“We are thrilled to announce our exciting partnership with Tennis Canada, marking the integration of tennis in U SPORTS’ new sport model program as a Pilot Sport. This collaboration signifies a significant milestone in our commitment to fostering athletic and academic excellence while expanding opportunities for student- athletes across the country. Together with Tennis Canada and our members, we look forward to serving as a catalyst in the development of top-tier talent in Canada and promoting the values of excellence and equity within our university communities.”
Ryan Borczon, Director, Professional and National Events at Tennis Canada
“Joining U SPORTS as a Pilot Sport is a significant moment for Canadian tennis. This collaboration holds tremendous potential for the sport, and we are thrilled to work alongside U SPORTS to further enhance the Canadian University Tennis Championships. Not only will this open new doors for student-athletes, but it will also fuel the growth of tennis participation at the university level.”
Additional information
- As a Pilot Sport, tennis will be part of the Partnership Sports category of U SPORTS’ new sport model program. Within this classification, there are three subcategories: Pilot Sports (P3), Invitational Sports (P2), and Conference Sanctioned Sports (P1). Most sports under the Partnership Sports umbrella are primarily funded by the appropriate National Sports Organization (NSO) and operated in partnership with U SPORTS
- Throughout 2024, Tennis Canada will work with U SPORTS to build up the reputation of university tennis in hopes of moving the sport up the Partnership Sports scale. Once a sport reaches the P1 subcategory, they can then progress to the Core National Championship Sports category, which includes sports such as hockey, basketball, and football.
- Tennis Canada will continue to host its yearly Canadian University Tennis Championships, in cooperation with U SPORTS.