A visit to the Rogers Cup during the summer is a highlight for most tennis players. The children enrolled in the Philpott Children’s Inner-City Tennis program are no exception. On Tuesday August 5th over 100 children, from three Philpott sites, arrived at the Rexall Centre at York University for a fun filled day.
While the Doug Philpott Inner-City Children’s Tennis Fund held free tennis lessons at 17 sites, the children are chosen from 3 different sites each year so that a variety of children will have the chance to attend the Rogers Cup. This year the children came from San Romanoway, Amesbury Community Centre and Malvern Recreation Centre. The instructors from each site, the two Philpott supervisors, several parents and Philpott Board members accompanied the children.
Prior to arrival at the Rogers Cup, the children were given tee shirts with the Philpott happy face tennis ball logo. At the gate, representatives from Emirates were on hand to welcome the groups. Lunch came next. Tennis Canada provided a VIP area and a delicious box lunch for the children. And then the games began…
After a welcome speech by Don McWilliam, Emirates Canada and thank you remarks from Coulter Wright, Board Chair of the Philpott charity, a receiving line was formed to cheer and high five the children as they walked by the podium. The children were each given a junior tennis racquet and an Emirates goodie backpack. The children were amazed to be told that the racquet was a gift from Emirates and it was theirs to keep!
Then it was off to the centre court stands to watch some professional tennis matches and to cheer on their favourite tennis player, including Canada’s own Vasek Pospisil.
Although it rained during lunch, the Philpott spirit was never dampened. Due to the generosity of Emirates and Tennis Canada, Nicole Olds the photographer who chronicled the day, our Philpott supervisors Chris and Armin, our Philpott Board members Coulter, Sharon, Eleanor, Richard and Jennifer and the adult volunteers; for everyone involved and most especially for the Philpott children, regardless of the weather, it was a perfect day. Thank you to you all.