Thank you for joining us for Vancouver International Pride (VIP) 2023 – A GLTA Masters Series Event. We are so excited to host you in our wonderful city for a weekend full of tennis, Pride, friendship, and fun 🌈🎾
The VIP tournament is taking place on the unceded and traditional lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.
VIP is an inclusive and welcoming event. All participants and spectators must follow our code of conduct.
We recommend refreshing this page at least once a day, and following VTA Instagram – for any additional notices and updates.
A few people wanted to extend a special welcome:
Welcome to Vancouver, VIP Players!
On behalf of the Vancouver Tennis Association (VTA) and as Co-Tournament Directors, we extend a warm welcome to all of you to the 2023 Vancouver International Pride (VIP) Tennis Tournament!
The VIP Tournament, hosted by the VTA, is the premier Canadian West Coast 2SLGBTQ+ tennis event, bringing together over 100 recreational, social, and competitive players from Vancouver, North America, and around the world. Celebrating its 23rd anniversary as part of the GLTA World Tour series, this tournament is a culmination of over 80 different sanctioned events from our 70+ tennis clubs worldwide, open to our 10,000+ strong membership.
These events, mirroring the real-life professional tennis tour, draw enthusiastic crowds and sponsors who support an open, safe, and inclusive space committed to promoting and developing amateur tennis in the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
We are excited to have you all here to participate in this year’s VIP Tournament, bringing together tennis players from diverse backgrounds and creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and celebration. Let’s make this event unforgettable!
Wishing you all the best on the court and a fantastic experience in our vibrant city.
See you on the courts!
JR Hammond & Jeffrey Hernaez
Tournament Co-Directors
Stanley Park Tennis Courts
8901 Stanley Park Drive
(Courts 1-6 and 12-17)
Tournament Desk
Bathrooms
Water Fountain
Food & Drink Concession
(Further details below under Map section)
Players will be expected to adhere to a 5-minute warm-up period (strictly enforced).
Match Format
For Main Draw, Singles and Doubles:
To clarify: A “12-point tie break” for the first two sets when it’s 6-6 is first to seven points, win by 2 (the terminology of 12-points alludes to a score of 7-5 in the tiebreak). But the third set we call a “10-point tiebreak”. Which is first to win 10 points, win by 2. Tennis terminology is weird.
Match format may be altered at the discretion of the Tournament Directors.
Avoidances
We cannot guarantee accommodation of scheduling avoidances but will try where no hardship is imposed on others in the draw. Avoidances specifically for first morning draws will not be accommodated.
Consolation play will be offered to players who lose their first match in singles main draws.
Unfortunately we cannot offer consolation draws for doubles.
If time allows, consolation finals will be best two out of three set matches, regular scoring, tiebreak at 6 games all, third set 10 point super tiebreak – at Tournament Directors discretion.
On Sunday you must register at the Tournament Desk to be included in the draw at the following time:
5pm to 8pm Welcome Party & Pride Kickoff (details below)
Player Registration: Players are invited to register and pick up your welcome pack Friday at 5pm during the Welcome Party + Pride Kickoff
7:45am Player registration
Coffee available in the morning courtesy of Davie Village Bakery.
8am Play starts
Main draw singles and doubles matches begin
12 noon Lunch by YoBones BBQ Catering
Served near the Tournament Desk
7pm Wrap-up of play
SPECIAL NOTE
Sunday is the Vancouver Pride Parade. Road closures start at 5am. Please allow extra time (especially if travelling by car).
8am Play starts
Coffee and snacks available in the morning, courtesy of Davie Village Bakery (arriving approx. 9:20am)
Singles and doubles main draws continue
Consolation registration:
12 noon Lunch provided by Collin Koo, Kevin Smith, Katherine Chow & Jeff Lo
Served near the Tournament Desk
6pm Wrap-up of play
We aim to end earlier on Sunday so that players have ample time to make it to the Banquet Dinner on time.
7pm sharp – 9:30pm Banquet Dinner (details below)
8am Play starts
Main draw singles and doubles finals continue
Consolation finals continue
RACKETS & RUNNERS DEMOS
Our good friends, and tournament sponsors, Rackets & Runners will be offering demos of a wide range of their rackets on Monday, with use of our spare tournament courts. Come and trial a new racket (you deserve it!)
12 noon Nachos, cake and mimosas provided by Collin Koo, Kevin Smith, Katherine Chow & Jeff Lo
Served near the Tournament Desk
Practice courts available
Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant & Brewpub
8901 Stanley Park Dr – in the beer garden adjacent to the courts
Meet some Vancouver locals and other tournament players to kickoff Vancouver Pride weekend.
Pop on your hottest and tightest booty shorts, tennis shorts or tennis skirt and check out all the talent at this years tournament 👀 🩳🍑 Drink ticket and food included.
Entry for players is included with your registration, and friends very welcome to join.
Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club (aka. “Van Lawn”)
1630 W 15th Ave, Vancouver
Join us at Van Lawn for our Banquet Dinner and mingle with fellow tournament players, and enter our special raffle draws!
Entertainment by drag performer: the premier River-dancing Diva, Jas Minh (@its.jasminh).
We ask that you arrive in time for 7pm start. Just 15 mins drive or 25 minutes by bus from Downtown Vancouver. This private club has graciously allowed us to use their facility for our Banquet Dinner. Please extend your appreciation to the staff.
All tournament players receive entry to the banquet. Due to venue capacity, there are no additional +1 banquet tickets available.
Stanley Park Tennis Courts
8901 Stanley Park Dr, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2
Welcome Party
(details under Events)
Stanley Park Brewing Restaurant & Brewpub
8901 Stanley Park Dr, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2
Banquet Dinner
(details under Events)
Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club (“VanLawn”)
1630 W 15th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 2K7
Court Bathrooms
The men’s washroom is located around the left side past the main entry stairs to the restaurant. The women’s washroom is at the Tennis BC entrance in front of the tennis courts. A gender-neutral washroom is located around the back of the building.
Tournament Desk
The Tournament Desk will be located by Court #3. This is also where lunch will be served.
Hydration
There will be a water wagon on-site throughout the tournament (near the tournament desk). There is also a water fountain past the left side of the restaurant – by a small maintenance shed. Both Stanley Park Brewing and (often with a shorter line) the Pitch & Putt sell bottled water and Gatorade.
Food
A lunch will be provided for tournament players on Saturday and Sunday.
Stanley Park Brewery has a concession stand tucked around the right side of the building (facing court 15) with Gatorade, beer, snacks, and food options.
Nearby Denman Street also has a plethora of food options (~10-15 mins walk).
Pharmacy
We recommend our tournament supporter Davie Pharmacy (1232 Davie St).
For urgent needs, the nearest Pharmacy to the courts is Shoppers Drug Mart on Denman.
Grocery Store
The closest grocery store is NoFrills (1030 Denman). There is also a Safeway on Robson (1766 Robson) and Davie Street (1611 Davie St).
Tennis Needs
Our partner Rackets & Runners will be on location Saturday to Monday with various products, including restringing!
Vancouver Pride
Check out the full list of Vancouver Pride events, Pride Festival and Pride Parade (new route this year!).
Bike Stanley Park
Hire a bike and cycle the perimeter of the park (the Seawall), the best way to get acquainted with Stanley Park and this core piece of Vancouver life (approx. 1.5 hours).
English Bay
A must see, but also one of the busier areas in the city. Beautiful views, close to cafés and food. Check out the Rain or Shine ice cream truck down by the beach in front of the change rooms.
Third Beach
A often quieter out-of-the-way beach in Stanley Park (25+ minute walk from the courts).
Second Beach Swimming Pool
A nice place to cool off overlooking the ocean (approx. $8).
Denman Street
Denman Street has a plethora of restaurants and food options – some favourites are Nook, Sushi Abroad, The Jungle Room, Kingya, Legendary Noodle, and Jingle Bao. If for some reason you can’t find something, continue up Robson Street for more options.
Davie Street
Davie Street, between Jervis and Burrard Streets, is the core of the Vancouver gayborhood with restaurants, bars, nightclubs, local shops, and services – lively both at night and during the day.
Breka Bakery & Café
Open 24/7 for those late night munchies (several locations).
Our tournament is run by the kindness of volunteers. If you have any questions or concerns about the tournament, our volunteers are here to help:
Tournament Co-Director
Tournament Co-Director & Treasurer
Sponsorships
Sponsorships
Volunteer Coordinator
Communications & Social Media
Social Media
Social Media
Events Coordinator
Photographer
Emailing tournaments@vtatennis.ca is the best method to contact our Tournament Directors.
Any of our volunteers at the tournament or events will be able to direct your inquiry – as well as several team members monitoring the @vtatennis.ca Instagram account.
In an emergency, please call one of our Tournament Directors.
Courts 7 to 11, and the practice wall are open to the public during the tournament.
Technically, yes – you can practice on these courts. Make sure you follow the public court guidelines. Players are responsible to keep up-to-date with the schedule so as to not miss a match. You use these courts at your own risk, our Tournament Directors and volunteers will not be monitoring these courts.
Thank you to all of our sponsors who make this tournament possible. Help support the businesses that support us!
Dirt Squirrel is providing 20% off for VIP players. Check out their selection of men’s and women’s underwear, accessories, fans and apparel. Use code: VTATENNIS (valid until January 1, 2024).
Is your gear tournament ready? Now is the time to check your court shoes and have your racket(s) freshly strung. Rackets & Runners has the city’s best selection of court shoes and offers a variety of racket services including stringing. Visit their Oak St store or shop online.
Be the first to know about Rackets & Runners’ new product releases, reviews, exclusive deals and community events. Plus $10 off your first online order. Become a subscriber.
Great West Graphics is a custom screen printing and embroidery company based in Vancouver. They have provided our community with years of expertise and products. They keep up to date with latest technology in the industry and keeping our customers’ priorities first. Great West Graphics
Thank you, from
Thank you for choosing Vancouver International Pride 2023, proudly organized by the Vancouver Tennis Association (VTA). We hope to see you again in 2024 – August 3-5; registration is expected to open in April/May (subscribe for updates).
