Last summer CCTO approached both OTA and Tennis Canada with a request to endorse the efforts of CCTO promoting affordable access to tennis on clay.

The following are copies of statements mailed to CCTO in reply to our request.

These documents should be made available to the respective municipal Parks and Recreation administration in charge of community clay court clubs.

ONTARIO TENNIS ASSOCIATION DOCUMENT

Monday, July 9, 2007

To Whom It May Concern;

The OTA fully supports the efforts of Ontario community clay court clubs of promoting tennis on clay. We encourage municipal Parks and Recreation bodies to provide equal support to both asphalt and clay court community tennis clubs.

Clay surface tennis courts provide significant health benefits to senior players as the softer clay surface lowers by 80% the incident of injuries to muscles and joints.

Clay is also an excellent surface for development of complete tennis game for our juniors. The official Player Development Plan of Tennis Canada states clearly that clay courts are a superior surface to develop young athletes. The Under 12 & 14 National Championships are played only on clay.

Both recreational and competitive tennis players in Ontario would benefit by having affordable access to clay courts.

Clay tennis courts are also a better "green" alternative. As the permeable granular surface of clay courts absorbs rain water, runoff is lowered compared to paved asphalt. Clay is a fully natural material whereas asphalt is an oil based product.

By lowering the incidence of injuries on safer clay courts the Ontario health cost would be lower.

Yours truly,

James N Boyce

Executive Director

TENNIS CANADA DOCUMENT

August 31, 2007

To Whom It May Concern;

Tennis Canada fully supports the efforts of the Ontario Community Clay Court Clubs organized under Clay Court Tennis Ontario (CCTO) to promote affordable access to tennis on clay in partnership with the Municipal Parks and Recreation bodies.  There is a need for more clay courts in Ontario as they provide many community/municipal benefits including the following:

Ø      Clay tennis courts provide significant health benefits to senior players as the softer clay surface is more forgiving to muscles and joints.

Ø      Clay tennis courts are an optimal surface for junior player development.  The likes of world #1 Roger Federer and Justine Henin grew up training and competing on clay courts in Europe.  The slower clay court surface allows youngsters to develop their entire game and learn to construct longer points.  Ultimately, this is beneficial to their health and well being as they are able to have success with longer rallies; in turn success ensures they have fun and thus increasing the likelihood of adopting an active lifestyle via the sport of tennis.

Ø      Recreational and competitive tennis players at all levels in Ontario would benefit by having affordable access to clay courts for the reasons noted above with the juniors.

Ø      Clay tennis courts are also a better "green" alternative. Clay is a natural material.

Ø      Tennis Canada and the Ontario Tennis Association have historically insisted on hosting national and provincial championships (junior and senior) on clay courts as this assists the over all development and enjoyment of tennis fro many players.   

Ø      We encourage Municipal Parks and Recreation bodies to provide equal support to both asphalt and clay court community tennis clubs for many of the reasons noted above.  Working with Clay Court Tennis Ontario and member clubs is an ideal first step to towards developing healthy, active, affordable tennis communities in Ontario.

Clay Court Tennis Ontario and member clubs is an ideal first step towards developing healthy, active, affordable tennis communities in Ontario.

Feel free to contact me any time if you require any additional information.

Sincerely,

Hatem McDadi

Vice-President, Tennis Development

Tennis Canada    

Ph:  (416) 650-7939

Email:  hmcdadi@tenniscanada.com