Tennis Canada recently named the 2011 National High Performance Program athletes. The program is part of the athlete pathway and is designed for those on track for the Paralympic Games, World Team Cup and the top 10 in the ITF rankings. The 8 nominated athletes will benefit from financial assistance as well as coaching, training and sport science support.“ Through our support we hope to provide the best possible framework for our athletes to assist them to reach their potential and perform to the best of their abilities in this crucial pre-Paralympic 2011 season” says Janet Petras, director of wheelchair tennis for Tennis Canada.
The nominated athletes are:
Men:
- Yann Matthieu (Trois Rivieres, QC)
- Phillipe Bedard (Montreal, QC)
- Joel Dembe (Toronto, ON)
- Eric Gilbert (St-Raymond, QC)
- Corey Blatchford (Saskatoon, SK)
Quads:
- Sarah Hunter (Surrey, BC)
- Adrian Dieleman (Hamilton, ON)
- Gary Luker (Ancaster, ON)
As the season starts gearing up, all athletes in the National Program, will compete in an intense spring season with tournaments in Windsor, Baton Rouge (Louisiana), Pensacola and Boca Raton (both Florida) as well as Puerto Rico, before Team Canada heads to one of the season’s highlights: The World Team Cup in Pretoria, South Africa (April 25-May 1st)
For information or question in regards to wheelchair tennis in Canada please contact Tennis Canada at wheelchairtennisinfo@tenniscanada.com
