Where a junior player can go once they are introduced to the sport:

Training Programs
There are many Parks & Recreation Programs as well Tennis Academies that can introduce children to this sport. Go to your local community center or click here for a list of Tennis BC Member Clubs offering a variety of programs.

Junior Team Tennis
This popular team event runs from September through early December. Players are drafted onto teams and compete most weekends. Match format is short sets in both singles and doubles. The schedule is set before the season begins and each match time is three hours or less, so it is easy for parents to plan their schedule. There are various levels of play open to children aged 9 to 18. The season culminates with finals and a player party in December. Team Tennis matches do not count for individual provincial rankings, but do help in selection and seeding during the Junior Indoor season. Teams and schedules are posted on tennisbcleagues.com where players can track their matches. For more information, please e-mail lois@tennisbc.org

Rix Rookie Tour
The Rix Rookie Tour is a series of non-elimination events for both boys and girls ages 8-13 years Events are held in locations across BC from May through September, and attract hundreds of junior players each summer. This is a fun way to introduce competitve play to recreational players. Players are assured of multiple matches and receive a Rix Rookie Tour shirt at each event. The U10 divisions may be held on 3/4 court with "winners" balls which are half the pressure of a regular ball to ensure longer rallies. The U12 and U14 divisions are played on full court with "E-Z play" balls that are 3/4 of the pressure of a regular ball. These events do not count for provincial rankings.

Futures Events
The next level up from the Rookie Tour, these events further introduce competitive play and are open to all junior age groups, Under 10’s to Under 18’s. Similar to the Rookie Tour, the events are round-robin based so players have multiple matches. These are full-court competitions and use regular balls. Players (except Under 10’s) receive provincial rankings points, which will be shown on the provincial rankings web-site.

Challengers 
For players who play regularly and have potential to move toward advanced competition. Players at this level can rally consistently but may not have developed the "major attacking shots" to move to the next level. Challengers are open to all age groups, Under 10 to Under 18, and do count for provincial rankings. Players are guaranteed a minimum of two matches. Players (except Under 10’s) do receive provincial rankings points, which will be shown on the rankings web-site. These events are full-court and use regular balls.

Champions
For advanced players who are competing at a higher level, along with others who have hopes of making the BC Provincial team in their respective age group. The U18 players in this category often have a goal of competing on a university team at the varsity level. Their skill sets are generally more advanced, offering more consistency and/or stronger attacking shots. Champions events are open to all age groups, U10-U18, and do count for provincial rankings (except Under 10’s) These events are full-court and use regular balls.

National Qualifiers
These events will accept the top ranked entrants in each age division. During the indoor season (January to March), players compete in a Ranking Ladder followed by a Selection Cup. The ranking ladder is also open to lower ranked players, and allows a player to climb the ladder during the season. The outdoor season reverts to tournament play, with five events scheduled for 2008. These events reward the largest ranking points and select the players for the BC Provincial Teams. Players at this level have shown a strong commitment to the sport and often have the goal of competing both nationally and internationally. This level of play often produces future university scholarship level players as well as aspiring professionals. This is the top level for junior play in provincial events.

After Junior Tennis
Tennis has some of the most accessible opportunities for university scholarships of any sport. The NCAA Div.1, Div.2, Div.3, NAIA, and NJCAA in the United States generate over 5000 scholarship annually covering tuition, room & board, and books, all depending on your level of play and academics.