Pictured above: participants from the 7th Annual 8-Hour Play it Forward Tennis-a-Thon held at the Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club. The kids played tennis for 8 hours, from 4pm until midnight, to raise pledges for Philpott Children’s Tennis.
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On Saturday March 29th over 75 kids from the Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club played tennis for 8 hours, from 4pm – midnight, to PLAY IT FORWARD for Philpott Children’s Tennis.
Swinging, Serving Others, and Smashing Goals!
Have you ever wondered what happens when a community of tennis lovers comes together with a mission?
Imagine 8 straight hours of swinging, smiling, music blasting, games with your favourite tennis friends and coaches, and making a difference for others. That was this year’s 7th Annual Play it Forward Tennis-a-Thon hosted by the junior tennis community at the Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club.
With participants ranging in age from 6-18 yrs old, they played tennis for 8 hours, from 4pm -midnight, with many of them breaking curfew for the first time to rally (literally) around a cause close to their hearts: making tennis, and the community that comes with being involved in sport, accessible for all.
While the kids’ legs were a little wobbly at the midnight hour, their heads were held high as they experienced the joy and privilege of giving back to others.
Together, they raised over $35,000 for Philpott Children’s Tennis – a record breaking amount for this event!
GRAND PRIZE WINNER, HENRY CAMMAERT, IS OFF TO THE NATIONAL BANK OPEN!
Henry was the Grand Prize Fundraising winner, raising over $16,000 in pledges! He achieved the highest individual pledge total EVER at this event. He wins a day at the National Bank Open (NBO) with his favourite Cricket Club coach. He chose his long-time coach Jamie Pope.
Special mention to those who raised over $1,000 in pledges: Kabir Kapoor, Andreas & Stella Keramaris, Zachary Zeidel, James & Aidan Ronan, and Noah Kalef.
SMASHING THE PLEDGE RECORD – FOR QUINN
Henry’s record-breaking pledge total was inspired by his sister Quinn (pictured above). Henry raised pledges in her memory and his hard work and record-setting effort inspired the Junior Committee and all of the participating kids to make the entire event donation in Quinn’s name – the net donation is over $35,000.
THE OPENING CEREMONIES
A favourite tradition at the Opening Ceremonies is the playing of the National Anthem. This year’s flag holders were Cole and Addison Birman. Members of the Junior Committee are pictured (right) singing along.
During the Opening Ceremonies, each participant, is introduced to the Tennis-a-Thon with their “opening shot”. Some choose their best shot, some choose a trick shot. The fan favourite was Coach Mike’s impressive “tweener”.
TENNIS, TENNIS, AND MORE TENNIS!
With the Opening Ceremonies complete, it was time for the kids to take over the courts. Everyone played together, all ages and levels, moving from one fun game to the next, all the way until midnight!
When the kids took a break from the courts, they had lots to do including bidding on silent auction items (hopefully not to the surprise of their parents:) and guessing how many tennis balls were in the giant Philpott donation bin. Evan Handelsman was the winner with his guess of 402! Big thanks to Jr Committee members James Ronan, Evan Midmer, and Asher Benjamin for counting all the balls!
A BIG THANK YOU!
So many people were involved in making this event a success.
Tennis Staff at The Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club
Pictured above, the tennis professionals at the Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club (L-R): Jamie Pope, Peter Szczepanski, Brian Myers, Patti Henderson, Ihsan Muhajaireen, Mike Polishchuk, Chris Gostek (Head Pro), Mike Kokta, Claudia Voicu, and Stephanie Willerding. Big thank you to Teg Brar and Charlie Kent (both missing here) who stayed with the kids until midnight along with Peter and Mike P.
The Junior Tennis-a-Thon Committee
Big thanks also to the Junior Committee, made up of T.C.S.&C.C. tennis members ages 14+ who organise and run the event, and keep the younger kids engaged and motivated for all 8 hours! They are the leaders of the event and set the example of community and generosity that is passed down from one generation of kids to the next.
The Parent Committee
Sponsors & Donors
Thank you to our Sponsors and Donors for providing amazing prizes that keep the kids motivated to keep playing all night, and for the many silent auction items that help us cover the costs associated with this event so that all of the kids pledges can go directly to the charity.
You helped us raise over
$35,000 for Toronto’s priority needs children
The Tennis-a-Thon is one of several important 3rd party fundraisers for Philpott Children’s tennis that make it possible to introduce tennis to over 4,000 inner-city kids annually who otherwise would not be able to afford a tennis program.
The donation from this event is being made in memory and celebration of Quinn Cammaert.
The success of our Kids’ Tennis programs over the past thirty years, and achieving major milestones like the new facility project, is the result of hard work and continued donor support. These programs are possible thanks to individuals who, like you, wish to make a difference in the lives of thousands of kids living in priority neighbourhoods across Toronto.
TOGETHER, we are making sure there is A PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO PLAY……YEAR-ROUND!
The Philpott Board of Directors, staff, instructors, volunteers, and children say THANK YOU!
See you next year!
