ACE International Team Relaunches with Elite Full-Time Program in Vaughan | | The ACE International Team was for many years a premier junior high performance development program operating out of Cedar Springs Club in Burlington. It has now made a highly anticipated relaunch as an elite full-time program at the new ACE Vaughan facility, directed by Hall of Famer Pierre Lamarche. | | We asked Pierre "The Bear" Lamarche; Why is the new International Team program so important to you?
Over the past four years, because of COVID, legal challenges, and the development of our new club in Vaughan, ACE has been unable to offer the high-performance program that once served as a training home for many of Canada's leading players. Over the years, ACE has helped develop Davis Cup players, national champions and US scholarship recipients, including Olympic gold medallist Daniel Nestor and rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko. Our programs have also helped shape some of Canada's leading coaches and, equally important, many outstanding community leaders. | | | Why was it so important to rebuild this program now? I must admit that my first reason was somewhat personal. I am 79 years old, and All Canadian is celebrating its 50th anniversary. It was time to implement my succession plan and begin transferring responsibility for the organization to a new management team, led by Kalia Garcia-Rojas, that can continue growing the beautiful game of tennis in Canada. A cornerstone of that plan was restoring ACE's relevance in Canadian high-performance player development while continuing to support the players and families we serve. Limitations at various Toronto facilities made it difficult to introduce a program of this scope. | | Last year, however, we conducted a pilot program with six players and achieved very encouraging results. This year, we planned to expand the program to eight committed players who would complete their schooling online. To support their academic development, we partnered with Henry Michels—a tennis enthusiast, coach, volunteer, former school principal, and school owner—who accepted the position of ACE Academic Advisor. | | What kind of team did you need to assemble? We needed a special kind of coach to lead an academy program at this level. We were fortunate to recruit Mathieu Sarrazin, a former Quebec tennis academy owner, former coach of Leylah Fernandez and former Tennis Canada national coach. | | "These players have made a commitment to something special." says Mathieu. "They’ve chosen an environment that will challenge them every day and require discipline, resilience, and a genuine desire to improve. Our responsibility through the ACE System is to give each of them the structure, guidance, and opportunities they need to discover how good they can truly become. The goal isn’t simply to develop better tennis players, it’s to help every athlete reach their full potential" | Pierre continues; Mathieu leads an exceptionally qualified coaching team that includes my longtime friend and business partner, Doug Burke, a former ATP and Davis Cup player and Davis Cup captain; my son Walker, with whom I now have the opportunity to work side by side for the first time; and me, serving as a coach and the team manager during this transition year. Hina Marsonia, a Doctor of Pharmacy graduate from the University of Colorado, also joined us to develop a comprehensive nutrition program for the players and their parents. | | |
How has the tennis community responded?
The response has exceeded our expectations. In only one month, 12 players registered—not the eight we originally planned for. The International Team provides players with more than 1,200 hours of structured training and development.
| | Highly qualified Canadian coaches deliver the program through the ACE System, which combines long-term athlete development, performance analytics, and individualized planning within a genuine team environment. Our objective is not simply to produce better tennis players. It is to help young people develop the discipline, pride, courage and personal responsibility that will allow them to become champions in life. | | | |
What does the program mean to you personally?
It has finally answered a question I am often asked: "What are you going to do when you retire?" I created a program that lets me focus on what I love most—developing aspiring high-performance players and human beings—something I couldn't always do with the level of involvement I want while managing so many other responsibilities. I now have the opportunity to work directly with young athletes, help them pursue excellence through tennis and contribute once again to the development of the sport across Canada. That is a wonderful way to begin ACE's next 50 years and my last dance card.
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International Team Training at Toronto Tennis City
Drop-in International Team Training is also available at Toronto Tennis City for high-level players looking for additional elite training opportunities. Train alongside National Champion Sophie Dement under the leadership of ACE Academy Director Ivan Lauzon.
Tuesdays & Thursdays | 2:00–4:00 PM. 8+ UTR required
Interested in joining a session? Please contact Ivan at ivanlauzon@acetennis.ca for more information.
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ACE Looks Ahead:
Strengthening Our Leadership for the Next 50 Years
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As ACE celebrates its 50th anniversary, we’re proud to reflect on five decades of developing players and growing the game of tennis, while continuing to invest in the future of our clubs and Academies.
As ACE has grown across multiple locations, we have strengthened our leadership structure to create greater alignment across our clubs, Academies, and programs.
MORE HERE
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| The ACE System is built on 50 years of expertise, delivering a scientifically backed approach to player development that evolves with the athlete. This comprehensive pathway ensures a seamless transition across all stages of play, focusing on long-term athletic success and a deep-rooted love for the game. | | | | |
