New program aims to keep Island girls playing tennis

The pop tunes are playing in the backgroundat Victoria Park in Charlottetown asa group ofteen girls go through drills on the tennis courts.

It's anunusual sight, say those involved in the tennis community. Adolescent girls have been leaving the sport in droves.

Tennis PEI created a new program this year called The First Serve in hopes of getting more of them into the sport.

'I didn't have any girls to play with'

"In my grade 12 year I didn't even play because I didn't have any girls to play with on the Island anymore," said 22-year-old tennis coach,MeghanAdams, who came up with the idea.

She had a vision to create a girls-only group to work on skills and meet new friends they'll be able to play tennis with for years to come.

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"With other girls supporting each other in these lessons, it makes a better atmosphere," said Adams.

The group program is for 11 to 14-year olds. They meet two times a week for a 90-minute session. The province provided funding for coaches and equipment so registration is affordable for participants.

"It's a really fun group of girls and a great atmosphere," saidMeghanAdams.

Difficult to keep girls interested

DennisKeaveney, the executive director of Tennis PEI, sayskeeping girls interested in the sport has been tough.

"The percentage of girls participating is very, very low", he said.

A recent Atlantic Region tournament only had four girls participate in the under 18 category, according to Tennis P.E.I.

"The major problem for us is retention, we're seeing this across the board nationwide that we have a very hard time keeping girls of that age group," saidKeaveney.

'We can learn from each other'

12-year-old SophiePeterson didn't play tennis last year but had played other years.

She's enjoying the sessions, and is now even considering playing in a tournament.

"It's just fun to play it with all the different girls We can push each other and we can learn from each other," she said.

A fun training environment

11-year-oldRia Johnston isn't sure about competing yet, but she likes tennis and she plans to keep doing it.

"I like that I made more friends here," Johnston said.

Tennis PEI hopesby creating a funtraining environment that's specific for them, they'll stick with it and have the confidence to compete.

Keaveneyis impressed with what he sees so far.

"There are three or four of them that would be among the top ten in their age group, it's been fantastic to see," he said.

Goal of 50 per cent

"Ideally we should have 50 per cent girls playing on the Island and in the Atlantic Region," said Adams.

Adams says tennis can be a lonely sport so she's happy to see the interest in the program.

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"It keeps growing every week," she said.

Tennis PEI plans to offer the program in future years, as it will take more than one summer to boost the number of girls in the sport.

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