Road Tennis, an indigenous sport of Barbados, has been a beloved pastime on the island’s streets for almost a century. Its appeal lies in its simplicity—it’s easy to learn, affordable, and requires no elaborate infrastructure. With basic equipment and a small playing area, Road Tennis can be enjoyed by people of all ages, making it a staple in Barbadian culture. Over time, the sport has evolved, with sophisticated rules and officiating structures that have elevated its competitive level, leading to its adoption in formal sporting events.
In 2022, the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF), in collaboration with the Country of Barbados, showcased Road Tennis at their Induction Ceremony and Community Celebration Gala. The response was overwhelming, highlighting the sport’s potential for wider recognition and adoption. Building on this momentum, OSHOF has taken significant steps to promote Road Tennis across Ontario, organizing numerous events and even assuming the role of the sport’s governing body in Canada.
Barbados has a vested interest in “exporting” Road Tennis globally, leveraging positive relationships with individuals like Ron Kellman, an ex-patriot of Barbados who has been instrumental in bringing the sport to Canada. This spring, the York Region District School Board introduced Road Tennis as part of its curriculum, recognizing its potential as an inclusive, skill-building sport. The simplicity of Road Tennis makes it an ideal addition to school programs, where it can be taught easily and spread organically among students. Additionally, the sport’s rich cultural heritage as an indigenous Barbadian pastime adds educational value, aligning with the schools’ Identity-Affirming Health and Physical Education curriculum.
Today, Road Tennis is played in over 450 schools across York Region and Peel Region in Ontario, marking a significant milestone in the sport’s international journey. The York Region School Board even created a video during a professional development session for 80 physical and health education teachers in the spring of 2023, showcasing the sport and its potential impact.
The movement received a further boost in August 2023, when the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame was awarded a $21,000 grant from Canadian Tire Jumpstart. This funding will support the continued implementation of Road Tennis in schools during the 2023-24 academic year, ensuring that this unique and culturally significant sport continues to grow and thrive in Ontario.
As Road Tennis continues to gain traction in Canada, its journey from the streets of Barbados to the halls of Ontario schools is a testament to the power of sport in bridging cultures and creating new opportunities for play, learning, and connection.