the benefits of having a women's only tennis program, as said by the players

Below is a photo of Danielle Smith (left), Founder and Director of A Love of Tennis, picking up balls with Oksana (right), participant in the women's intermediate program. The women of the program mention the sense of community they feel once they step foot on the court, thanks to Danielle, Ashley and the all-female space which brings them together. 

"There's a tendency to believe that keeping active later in life, especially through sports, is more like a male thing, and women are kind of regulated to maybe stretching or yoga," says Darlene, a participant of A Love of Tennis' women's intermediate program. 

​She was introduced to tennis in childhood, but as she explains, it was her father that was playing more often. Now, she plays both tennis and volleyball and finds there are distinct differences between the two sports. 

"With my schedule, I can't always commit to a team," she says. 

"It's nice to be able to have the option of having an individual sport where I really just have to manage mine or a partner's schedule, as opposed to being committed to a fixed day a week and if I'm not available, I'd be letting a team down."

Another difference between a team sport like volleyball and a single sport like tennis, is the different kind of health benefits tennis offers. 

"It moves different parts of your body around, tennis is more sprinting, fast takes, sudden moves, kind of side to side (...) so it's a lot of power that's needed, but also a lot of control," Darlene explains. 

"Definitely a great cardiovascular workout and to compare to something like volleyball, where you're spending quite a bit of time waiting for the ball (...) it's not as consistent running around after the ball." 

With the women's intermediate program in particular, participants themselves describe the enjoyment they get out of playing the sport after working hours in a virtually all-women's setting. 

Once a week, women of every level get onto the courts and play for an hour and a half, teaming up with and playing against other women before the sun sets. Cheers and laughs are often heard as some apologize for producing a drop shot "on purpose," while others make jokes from across the net, saying "I think she's done this before." 

The joyful atmosphere is palpable. During every water break, groups come together, introducing themselves, talking about their families or work. 

Oksana, another participant of the intermediate program, explains how participating has given her something to look forward to.  

"Just to have like on Tuesday at six o'clock to go somewhere. I organize my day, I look forward to it (...) the ladies are amazing." 

"I love it because I get to meet amazing people from all walks of life," she says.

Rena, another intermediate participant from Oksana's group, explains how the program makes her feel more welcomed compared to a traditional tennis club. 

"It's less intimidating perhaps, and you still get the same value and benefits out of the coaching without the kind of prestige; it's more relaxed," she says. 

Darlene in particular appreciates how the all-women's program makes her feel more comfortable. 

"There are some women who prefer to be in a women's only section, either because they might feel intimidated by males being around or you might be more aware of your body," she explains. 

"It's just one less thing that we have to think about. We can just think about ourselves as women, taking care of ourselves." 

Darlene mentions how public gyms feel like places where women frequently worry about being looked at and feel, especially with sports like powerlifting for example, as though men might compare themselves to women in terms of strength or fitness. 

Out here on the Hillcrest courts, women can hit the ball as hard as they want and celebrate points won. 

With a lot of the women being in their 30's and 40's, schedules get complicated and those who are mothers find they look out for others before taking care of themselves. A Love of Tennis' women's beginner and intermediate programs help them take time off during the week and just be themselves. 

"Even when we have free time, we kind of deal with that guilt of maybe 'oh I should be doing something else' ," Darlene says . 

"When you sign up for a sport like tennis in a women's league, it actually forces you to not think about anyone else. I can't be playing and running after balls when I am thinking about schedules or lunches or whatever it might be."

Rena, whose daughter participates in the First Love program, says tennis is a sport that teaches life lessons and helps build character across all ages and programs. 

"Building that confidence, learning how to swallow your pride sometimes and come back from losses, so it's a great life sport." 

Rena, Oksana and Darlene all believe that tennis is a sport that can be played for life, addressing its ability to strengthen not only the body, but the mind as well. Oksana's father in particular, who was in his 70's, still played the sport with friends. 

"My father was like 76 years old and was still spending five hours on the tennis court," Oksana recounts, as she also wishes to continue to play far into the future. 

Even if the score is 0-6 by the end of the session, the women still leave the courts with big smiles and some even walk away in pairs.

With the women's league, it's not about being the best player on court or being the quickest learner of tennis skills, it's about having fun, maintaining good health and making lasting connections, all while being surrounded by other women just like you. 

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