Guest Speaker July 4, 2018

 

A lifelong tennis enthusiast, Peter Malcomson brings many years of sales and marketing experience, from both outside and from within the tennis community to his position.  After graduating with an English degree from York University, Peter spent 15 years in the advertising world, working first for an ad agency and later in sales and marketing for several media outlets including SCORE Golf, the National Post and Transcontinental.  He was also a partner in the country's largest in-store radio network, POPPS.  Peter eventually directed his efforts within the tennis business, working on contract for Tennis Canada and part-time as a tennis instructor at the Waterside Sports Club in Toronto.  Most recently he was a partner in RL SportsLines, a tennis and golf apparel distributor.  He joined the OTA in October 2010 in the capacity of Marketing Manager.

 

Peter started his presentation my telling us about the Ontario Tennis Association (OTA). The OTA is the provincial sport governing body for tennis in Ontario. It is a non-profit organization, incorporated under the Corporation Act. It is the largest provincial tennis association in Canada, boasting 260 clubs and 58,000 adult and child tennis players.

 

The two basic aims of the OTA are to encourage participation in the sport of tennis in Ontario and to provide a structure of services which will assist players to reach a level of competence consistent with their personal goals and abilities.

 

The strength of the OTA is seen in both its sheer numbers and exposure to every corner of the province, and for the creation and maintenance of an atmosphere of unlimited tennis opportunities for players of all levels, from grassroots to national caliber athletes.

 

 

The future looks bright for tennis is Canada and interest in this sport has steady grown, but this has also caused a shortage of courts in many places. As a result, OTA is working with clubs and municipalities to encourage the building of new courts. Most recently, the city of Vaughn has agreed to undertake the construction of 10 indoor, and 10 outdoor courts.

 

Peter also spoke about the Philpott Tennis program. These summer tennis camps are offered free-of-charge to Toronto children and youth ages 5 -15, living in priority needs neighbourhoods, who would otherwise not have access to such activities. 40 qualified instructors teach tennis at 19 summer camps, which are located across Toronto, including downtown, Scarborough, Etobicoke and Jane & Finch. An OTA partnership with the Toronto Sports Leadership program offers youth the opportunity to volunteer at our camps, preparing them for Tennis Canada certification and then future paid employment as tennis instructors. Philpott children learn more than tennis – they learn important lessons about discipline, cooperation, physical fitness and self-confidence.

 

 

RTE is a funding partner of the Philpott Tennis camp and Mike H presented Peter with a donation from our club for $4,500. This was money raised by the RI Tournament and through the RI BBQ guest activity. Mike also gave Peter a souvenir YYZ City shirt from RI Tennis Tournament. This shirt was designed by the students at JPCI specifically for the tennis event.