Aforza Alumni

2023 Aurora Pedwell

Your coach:

Jeff Spiers & Garcia Gordon

How old were you when you started to play tennis, when did you join the Academy?

started tennis at age 4, joined the Academy at age 7

What is next for you?

Bryant University

Please share your academic or tennis related awards or achievements with us.

Gold Honour Roll at National Sports School, double gold medalist at Western Canada Summer Games, 8th place + sportsmanship award at 2018 Outdoor Nationals, 10th place 2019 Indoor Nationals 3-time singles provincial runner up, 4-time doubles provincial champion, 2-time ITF doubles finalist

How old you were when you started to take tennis seriously, what or who inspired or motivated you to do so?

I played my first tournament when I was 7 years old for the sole purpose of beating my brother. My competitive fire was lit at the ripe age of 9 when my mother ‘motivated’ me to excel.

What was your biggest challenge in obtaining your tennis goals?

My biggest challenge was being able to stay focused on end goal of playing for a Division 1 school. At times the distractions of being a teenage girl in high school got the best of me.

Please share your fondest memories from your training or competition with Aforza?

Every moment of my decade at this club is my favourite memory. The friendships I’ve made throughout the years will last far longer than my tennis career. I’m very grateful for the people I’ve spent years of my time growing up and learning with.

Other comments or memories you’d like to share.

I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given to be able to travel around the world with my tennis team. Being able to compete and and bunk with my best friends has created my favourite memories with my coaches and teammates.

Do you have any advice for other young players?

Train harder. I understand this is very cliché advice. If I had one wish, I would go back in time and explain to 12-years-old Aurora where she could have been if she pushed herself harder. Every resource I needed to achieve a higher level was right here at Aforza. I love the person I am today, but I know that I had the potential to do something greater with tennis. Yes, sacrificing other parts of your life for tennis sucks. What sucks more though is realizing the years have flown past you and carrying the regret of not reaching your full potential.