There are countless young, Canadian tennis players out there on our nation’s courts who can hit a blistering serve or a cannon of a backhand. But it takes more than natural talent to make it on the tennis circuit.

That’s where the Long-Term Athletic Development plan comes in.

In an effort to foster both the love of the game and the talent of someone who could very well be tomorrow’s rising star, the plan is set out in eight stages. Throughout these stages, young players learn that physical literacy is the foundation for being active and healthy and for achieving personal-best performances at all levels of competition. In other words, even if they never make it to Wimbledon, we teach them how to get the most out of the game and how to play at their best. Our goal is to ensure that everyone who picks up the game has an opportunity to enjoy the lifetime benefits of playing.

Learn More about the Long Term Athlete Development Plan click here

Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) is a systematic approach being adopted by Tennis BC to maximize potential of athletes in our sport. It provides a framework for developing physical literacy, physical fitness, and competitive ability using a stage-by-stage approach.  Using the LTAD model, high performance begins at stage four, “setting the foundation for the pursuit of excellence”.  Athletes, coaches, and parents should closely adhere to this performance model with individual performance plans.

To download the High Performance Handbook click here

Athlete Resources  CSC Pacific / PacificSport Athlete Carding

General Criteria for all Athletes:

  • Must be a member in good standing with Tennis BC
  • Must meet qualification requirements mandated by Tennis Canada for National Team Programs
  • Must be tracking towards Level 1/1a according to tennis athlete development pathway (LTAD)
  • Has been on the high performance athlete pathway for a minimum of two years

Complete Athlete Carding Criteria click here
Athletes Benefits Click here

BC Provincial Competitive Structure Event Pathway

British Columbia Provincial Championships

Competing in the provincial championships (indoor/outdoor) is mandatory for any player wishing to represent BC at the respective Canadian National Championship. There are two Junior Closed Provincial Championships held each year (one indoor and one outdoor).

Acceptance

  • Limited to 16 players – by invitation only
  • 14 direct entry based on results in the seasonal ★★★★ Selection Series events (Points Race).
  • two wild cards – refer to Team BC for wild card acceptance

Draws and Match Format

SinglesDoubles (Outdoor season only)
Draw Formatsingle elimination with Full Feed-in consolationsingle elimination
Match FormatBest of three tiebreak sets with regular scoring (Match tiebreak (10-point) may be played in lieu of a third set for consolation matches)two tiebreak sets with No-ad scoring. In the event of a tie in sets, a match tiebreak (10-point) will be played to decide the match

Ranking Points
The rating of each provincial/regional championships is determined based on the performance of BC players who represented or who participated in the Canadian National Championships over the last three years.

Tennis Canada has calculated a Nationals Performance Rating (NPR) for each province and region, separated by gender. These are reflected in the ratings in the regional point awards chart.

2018 Boys Provincial Championships are rated at 0.183 as compared to the National Championships. 2018 Girls Provincial Championships are rated at 0.148.

Selection Series (★★★★)

These series of events are for players on the road to competing in the provincial and national championships.  There are three indoor and three outdoor-selection events offered each season per age category.  Each player can accumulate Points Race points through these events.

Acceptance

  • Basing on Rogers National Ranking System
  • Main Draw – limited to 32 boys and 24 girls (16 players in Indoor season)
  • Qualifying draw may be offered where court time is available.
  • Up to two Main Draw wild cards may be issued

Draws and Match Format

SinglesDoubles (Outdoor season only)
Indoor seasonOutdoor season
Draw Formatsingle elimination with Full Feed-in consolationSingle elimination. Playoff for third and fourth positions.single elimination
Match FormatBest of 3 tiebreak sets with regular scoring. Match tiebreak (10-point) may be played in lieu of a third set for consolation matches)Best of three tiebreak sets with regular scoringtwo tiebreak sets with No-ad scoring. In the event of a tie in sets, a match tiebreak (10-point) will be played to decide the match

Ranking Points
Consistent with the rest of the country, the Selection events are rated at 60% of the Provincial Championships.

Competition + (★★★+)

These events are for players looking to transition into Provincial & National Selection levels events.

Acceptance

  • Basing on Rogers National Ranking
  • Main Draw – draws may be limited to a max of 16 players

Draws and Match Format

Competitors are guaranteed two matches; they will be provided with a main draw singles and doubles or main draw singles and consolation.

SinglesDoubles
Draw Formatsingle eliminationsingle elimination
Match FormatBest of three tiebreak sets with regular scoring (Match tiebreak (10-point) may be played in lieu of a third set for consolation matches)two tiebreak sets with No-ad scoring. In the event the score is one set all, a match tiebreak (10-point) will be played to decide the match

Ranking Points

The rating for these events is set such that the winner receives points equal to a player who reaches the semi-finals of a ★★★★ Selection Series event.

Development Series (★★)

This series of events is designed for players wishing to compete beyond the Rogers Rookie Tour and Orange-Green Ball (U9/U10) Circuit. Players can now attain national-ranking points in a tournament format.

Acceptance

  • Players must be ranked 25 or higher in their own age group to be eligible to play up. Players are only eligible to play one age category up.
  • Draw size may be limited to 16
  • Host Club has the discretion to use two wild cards in the draw of 16.
  • Where draw size is limited, acceptance is based on the Rogers National Ranking in the order of:

–      Registrants in their primary category
–      Top 25 or higher players of the age category below

Draws and Match Format
Competitors are guaranteed two matches; either a main draw singles and first match loser consolation match or by way of Compass draw format.

Draw FormatSingle elimination with First Match loser consolationCompass Draw (3KO)
Match Formattwo tiebreak sets with Full ad scoring. When the score in a match is one set all, a deciding match tiebreak (1o points) will be played to decide the match.two tiebreak sets with Full ad scoring. If the score in a match is one set all, a deciding match tiebreak (10 points) will be played to decide the match.  Modified match format (Pro-set) may be used in consolation matches. Short sets to four games can be used for U12 Competition.

Tennis BC 2Star Tour Series

This series of tournaments started in 2017. This transition tour offers play opportunities to players who have little tournament experience, or for players who are moving from green-ball to regular-ball competition. Compass or round robin with playoffs-draw format is used to provide each player with three to four match-play opportunities.

Acceptance

2Star Tour tournaments use the same acceptance criteria as all Development 2Star tournaments. In addition, four wild cards are issued to players who are placed on the reserve list of the previous tournament of the same series – in view of the fact that some of the players have no ranking to support a spot when draw size is limited due to court availability.

Three 2Star Tour Series of events are offered each year: winter, spring, and fall. These tours are only provided for U12 and U14 age categories (singles).  All 2Star Tour Series tournaments are organized by Tennis BC.

Ranking Points
The winner of such an event receives the same number of points as the finalist of a ★★★ Competition Series event.

Orange Green Ball (U9/U10) Circuit

The aim of the Orange-Green Ball (U9/U10) Circuit is to create competitive opportunities for the more advanced U9/U10 junior tennis player while encouraging participation.  The Orange-Green Ball (U9/U10) Circuit is for:

  • More experienced players who have competed in at least three to five U8/U10 Rogers Rookie Tour Events.
  • Competitors who are looking to enhance their competitive experience and meet the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) competitive criteria.

Playing up (U9 players playing U10 events)

  • Players must play at appropriate age level unless:
    • They have won or made finals in at least two events at their appropriate age.
    • Example: A U9 player must win or have made the finals of two Orange Ball U9 events before they are able to compete in a U10 Green Ball event.

Rogers Rookie Tour Events (U8 – U18)

A national program designed to bridge the gap between entry-level tennis and the provincial competitive junior circuit.

  • All events in the Rogers Rookie Tour will be non-elimination tournaments.
  • Each player is guaranteed a minimum of three matches.
Ages / LevelsRookie TourOrange Green Ball (U9/U10) Circuit
Red Ball Events8U (8 and Under)No U8 red events
Orange Ball Events10U (10 and Under)U9
Green Ball Events11+ (U12/U14/U16)U10

The Edward Siemens High Performance Bursary is presented annually by Tennis BC to provide assistance to competitive junior tennis players to help enhance their long-term development.

It is awarded to an individual or individuals who have participated in programs such as the Tennis BC high-performance programs, and have been selected or could be selected, to represent BC as part of the Team BC Program.

Each award will be a minimum of $250 up to a maximum of $2,000. Bursaries may be awarded to multiple athletes in any given year.

2023 Applications

If you are interested in applying for this bursary, please complete and submit The Edward Siemens High Performance Bursary application form found here: 2023 Edward Siemens High Performance Bursary Application Form

The deadline for 2023 applications is March 31, 2023.

Donate to the Edward Siemens Memorial Tennis Fund

Help support future champions and develop the sport of tennis in BC, learn more about ways to donate and give at our Vancouver Foundation.