Labour Day was a big weekend for Sharon Arnold as she travelled to the US Open in New York City to receive the Emirates Airline Returns Mentor Award. This award is given to an individual at each Emirates partner charity who has made a big difference to the community or impacted students positively as a result of the resources offered through the Emirates Returns Program. Sharon is a truly deserving recipient. 

Sharon is a founding member of the Philpott charity and is the longest serving Philpott Board member. As the volunteer Tennis Program Director for 25 years, she works tirelessly to ensure that the summer tennis lessons offered by Philpott are safe, fun and instructionally solid. As the recipient, Sharon Arnold reports…..”My award included an all expense trip to the US Open on the Labor Day weekend. Along with 7 other honourees from other parts of the US and Montreal, Emirates provided me with an airline ticket to New York, a stay at a luxury hotel and transportation to and from the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. At the center I took part in a cardio tennis clinic provided by Luke Jensen on center court at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. After receiving a behind the scenes tour of the National Tennis Center, Emirates hosted me and other award winners in their luxury suite and honoured us on the Jumbo Tron during the match between Venus Williams and Anett Kontaveit. I had a wonderful day watching tennis and networking with the seven other delegates.”

Sharon Arnold offers a heartfelt thanks to the Philpott Board and Tennis Canada for selecting her, to Emirates Airline for hosting her, to Ceciley Parker, Philpott Executive Director who accompanied her to the US Open and to the many instructors, Philpott committee members and volunteers who have worked with her over the years. As a result of everyone’s efforts, the Philpott charity continues to offer an outstanding tennis opportunity for children living in priority needs neighbourhoods.