MEET OUR AMAZING TEAM

Danielle Smith

Founder

Graduated with a BscN from the University of Ottawa and worked as a neonatal intensive care nurse for 25 years. She sees a very important need in the community to reach the underserved population, provide them with the life skills, leadership and confidence to do well in school and create a positive future for themselves. This will create more vibrant communities and families in years to come.

Siyr Amirzodah

Ashley Wojdan

Tennis Professional
Siyr used to play video games until he found a love for tennis where he lived on the courts, volunteered 400 hours for us and then took his Tennis Canada certification. He now is a role model for the kids, enjoys teaching them, and his enthusiasm makes it fun for every kid he teaches. He has graduated from Ridgemont and is heading to Carleton . All the best of luck!

Jess Smith

Tennis Professional
Jess graduated from U of T with a BSc degree, and then took 3 years at Humber College with a diploma in coaching and sport development. She has taught tennis and figure skating in the City of Mississauga  for the last few years. She has just completed early childhood education and has experience teaching young children. Jess is also a certified Tennis Canada instructor. It is such a privilege to have Jess join our team. She is terrific with the kids and amazing at making it fun on court. 

Volunteer Head Professional & ​Business Advisor
Graduated from St. Francis Xavier University degree with a business degree with a major in accounting. She played competitive tennis and was ranked provincially and nationally. She completed her coach 1 and really makes it fun for the kids, where the kids improve technically under her direction, hit a ton of balls and love coming back each week. We are blessed to have someone so talented on our team.

Rachel Stymiest

Tennis Professional
We have known Rachel for over 8 years now, we taught her tennis at a young age and she brings her passion to the game to all the kids she teaches. Her amazing enthusiasm, organizational skills and communication makes tennis so much fun for everyone she teaches. The kids love her huge smile and commitment  to making sure all the kids have fun. She volunteered over 400 hours for us and received her Tennis Canada certification. She is off to Waterloo University. All the best of luck !

Our Young Volunteers!

Lennon (left), Dylan (centre) and Sofia (right) are our youngest volunteers who love to help organize the racquets, take inventory, pass out flyers, clean up the courts, or whatever we need help with. It is terrific to have them as part of our team and their enthusiasm is terrific. It is never too young to help out and we appreciate it so much. All three take tennis lessons and love to play. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A Truly Inspirational Team

Isabel Theberge

VICE PRESIDENT
Isabel has been involved in our organization from the ground up for 10 years. She has completed a kinesiology and physio degree and has now completed medicine at the University of Ottawa, where she will be interning as an anesthesiologist in Ottawa. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of kids, and a real joy to work with on our team.

Danielle Smith

President
Danielle graduated from the University of Ottawa with a degree in Nursing. She is currently working on her MBA. She has the belief that sport has the unique power to uplift a community and congregate the next generation of leaders. It also has the power to uplift individuals by improving their health, decreasing obesity, depression, social isolation, diabetes and allowing them to live a longer and healthier lifestyle. It is a pleasure to work in communities and transform them first hand.

Luca Vella

Treasurer
Luca graduated from the University of Ottawa with a business degree with a major in accounting. He has a CPA and CMA designation but it is his excellent communication and the amazing way he organizes our finances that makes him such a valuable member of our team. He is so kind and Caring that it is such a pleasure having him on our team.