Karina Trkulja initially developed a ardour for tennis whereas watching her father, Novak train her youthful sister, Kristina, tips on how to play. Since turning into a mother, she has skilled those self same feelings by means of her daughters Ela and Isidora as they’ve launched into studying the sport and the vital life classes that go together with it like setting objectives, self-discipline, and being accountable.
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Since 2010, Trkulja has handed on her love for the game to youngsters of all ages by means of the Edmonton Junior Tennis Society (EJTS) which started as a pilot for Tennis Canada’s Little Aces grassroots junior growth program. Right now, they run applications out of 8 indoor places within the winter with 300 children registered. Throughout the spring and summer time months, they provide applications on rented outside courts for over 500 children between the ages of 4-15. Additionally they present League Play for the 10-15 age group.
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The EJTS is very pleased with having the ability to present programming for underprivileged youngsters by means of faculty applications in addition to varied Boys & Women Golf equipment.
As a recipient of the Sport. Set. Fairness. Group Tennis Grant offered by Nationwide Financial institution, Trkulja was in a position to manage the second version of TENNISfest in June which not solely supplied children with the chance to play however was additionally meant to develop extra ladies coaches and appeal to extra women to take part within the EJTS applications. Native tennis golf equipment in Edmonton had been invited to the occasion with a view to present details about their totally different applications and the alternatives obtainable to become involved within the recreation.
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“Working in non-profit organizations and making a optimistic distinction in our neighborhood has all the time been a precedence for me,” defined Trkulja. “After I first began with EJTS, I felt a robust sense of urgency to carry it ahead from what was already in place and to seek out alternatives to develop, each in measurement and scope. Our objective is to supply applications that may present life-long pathways to tennis. Our long-term imaginative and prescient is to grow to be the benchmark for the introduction of tennis to youngsters.”
To this point, EJTS has delivered on its purpose with a number of gamers now within the excessive efficiency pathway whereas many others proceed to play recreationally. Not solely are their applications accessible and reasonably priced, however they’re succeeding in partaking children by means of tennis due to a mixture of volunteer effort and sensible, environment friendly enterprise practices to make sure monetary viability that positions them for sustainability. To not point out the fervour and dedication which has allowed Trkulja to repeatedly intention larger and encourage every particular person she impacts alongside the best way.
