Tennis Alberta is excited to recognize two exceptional leaders, Thuy Cao and Diana Jacobs, who were both recipients of Tennis Canada’s Distinguished Service Award. These awards celebrate their dedication to developing tennis here in Alberta and beyond.
Thuy Cao: A Pillar of the Edmonton Tennis Community
Thuy Cao, a fixture in Edmonton’s tennis scene, is celebrated not only for his dedication to coaching but also for his invaluable volunteer efforts. With over a decade of service on the board of the St. Albert Tennis Club and more than five years coaching with the Edmonton Junior Tennis Society, Thuy has been instrumental in advancing tennis programs for both juniors and adults.
Thuy is a multi-sport wizard, having been a Racketlon Champion—a sport that combines tennis, squash, badminton, and ping pong. Along with impressive tennis credentials, he holds NCCP Level 3 certification in badminton and CASI Level 2 for snowboarding. His passion for coaching knows no bounds.
Thuy is supported by his wife, Kris, who shares his commitment to volunteering and leadership within the tennis community. Congrats and kudos to Thuy and Kris!
Diana Jacobs: Championing Junior Development and Community Growth
For over 20 years, Diana Jacobs has dedicated herself to growing tennis in Alberta, starting with the High River Tennis Club, which she transformed from a small group of five to over 200 members. Now at the Osten & Victor Alberta Tennis Centre, Diana oversees junior development programs and leads the U10 competitive program. She’s traveled as a Tennis Alberta provincial coach, guiding U10 and U12 teams in competitions abroad. Additionally, Diana serves as the Assistant Tennis Director for the WTA and ATP National Bank Calgary Challenger.
Diana is a proud tennis parent and a role model for other parents of high-performance juniors. Her daughters, Ashleigh and Alexia, both claimed multiple provincial titles and competed at nationals as juniors. They each earned Division 1 scholarships and have competed in college tennis, with Ashley at the University of Iowa and Alexia at the University of Washington.
Diana’s commitment to the sport and her community has made a lasting impact on countless players and families. We’re truly fortunate to have her as a leader and mentor in the Alberta tennis community.
An Alberta-sized shoutout and thank you to both Thuy and Diana for their remarkable contributions to our tennis community.
