Welcome to a brand-new content material collection the place we spotlight a few of Tennis Canada’s wonderful donors. It’s due to the support we receive from our generous donors that we are able to proceed to fund numerous initiatives from the grassroots stage to the nationwide stage. Right here, we acknowledge the individuals who assist us make Canada a tennis nation.
In 2020, through the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tennis Canada was compelled to droop many occasions, together with the world-renowned Nationwide Financial institution Open offered by Rogers in Toronto and Montreal. Because of the postponements, the group recorded losses of $17 million and located itself in dire want of assist.
George Fischer, one in every of Canada’s most prolific panorama photographers and a tennis fanatic, came upon about Tennis Canada’s monetary ache, and he and his late spouse Karen Inexperienced stepped up and donated $1 million to the group.
The substantial contribution from George and Karen has been invested in Tennis Canada’s Junior Nationals, each indoor and outside, which have since been renamed the Fischer Indoor Junior Nationals and Fischer Out of doors Junior Nationals, respectively.
They’ve additionally donated an extra $250,000 (25 awards value $10,000 every) over 5 years to help the price of teaching and journey for younger, up-and-coming gamers.
When Tennis Canada introduced in October 2020 the renaming of the Junior Nationals, George spoke to the group to explain the aim behind their generosity.
“This funding is a illustration of our ardour for tennis in Canada,” stated George Fischer. “We’re decided to do no matter we are able to to assist develop extra high-performance gamers in order that we are able to see extra Canadians successful extra Grand Slam titles, Olympic medals and our groups make deep runs within the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup.
“We perceive the monetary difficulties Tennis Canada is at present experiencing because of COVID-19 and we see this funding as a legacy present that can assist immensely within the short-term but additionally guarantee progress is made within the long-term. We hope that in being made conscious of the losses incurred by Tennis Canada because of the monetary impression of the COVID-19 pandemic that extra donors come ahead and make comparable investments. It’s a true honour to have the Junior Nationals renamed the Fischer Junior Nationals.”
Tennis Canada hosted the inaugural Fischer Out of doors Junior Nationals within the fall of 2021, and this 12 months, the Fischer Indoor Junior Nationals made its long-awaited debut and topped their first-ever champions. Each tournaments have singles and doubles attracts and are divided into 4 divisions: U12, U14, U16, and U18.
Tennis has at all times been near George’s coronary heart, and he’s been taking part in the game since he was the identical age because the gifted children competing within the occasion named after him. He’s at present a member of the Mayfair Toronto East Membership, and in an interview with Mayfair, admitted that he nonetheless tries to get out and play daily along with his associates.
In addition to chasing round a yellow ball, George is likely one of the nation’s most gifted photographers and focuses on panorama and cultural pictures. He’s revealed over 70 photographic books and 50 artwork posters, and his images have appeared on the duvet of quite a few worldwide magazines, newspapers, and promotional publications of worldwide tourism businesses.
George adores his occupation and even acknowledges that two of his largest passions in life are tennis and pictures.
On the Fischer Junior Indoor and Out of doors Nationals, George will get to do each.
Tennis Canada is grateful to all of its donors. To be taught extra about how one can help tennis in Canada, please contact jbridgman@tenniscanada.com.
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