Carmel Derdaele

Honouring a Member of the Canadian Tennis Family

August 14, 2007 - In June, Tennis Canada lost a beloved member of its family when Carmel Derdaele passed away at the age of 59 after a brave and courageous battle with breast cancer. 

Derdaele served as the director of national events for Tennis Canada, including all Davis Cup and Fed Cup ties, and several national championships, for more than 20 years. She was the second-longest serving employee of Tennis Canada, behind only chief operating officer, Derek A. Strang.

“The entire Canadian tennis community is saddened by the loss of Carmel,” expressed Strang. “She was a wonderful member of our Tennis Canada family and has left behind a legacy of excellence and compassion. Countless Davis Cup, Fed Cup and national events were organized through the leadership of Carmel. She earned the respect of the local and international tennis communities largely because of her passion and dedication to the sport. Carmel will be truly missed but her spirit will remain with all of us who had the honour of knowing and working with her.”

In honour of Derdaele, a fundraising campaign was created during the Rogers Cup tournaments. Tennis Canada has established several on-site initiatives, with all net proceeds going towards the Carmel Derdaele Fund in support of Dr. Mark Clemons, locally advanced breast cancer research at Princess Margaret Hospital. 

A tribute to Derdaele has been added to the new and improved daily draw sheet, which features more content in addition to the order of play and up-to-date draw.  For the first time, a charge of $2.00 for the draw sheet has been implemented, and all net proceeds from both Toronto and Montreal will be donated in Derdaele’s name.

Other on-site initiatives include a tribute next to the magazine stands selling the draw sheet and in the souvenir magazine which was printed with the Canadian player biographies who she worked with for various national events. Carmel’s tribute will also be shown on the videoboard on centre court of Rexall Centre, and there is a display to Derdaele in the Tennis Canada booth, where donation cards to the Princess Margaret Hospital are available.

Past and present Tennis Canada staff and former players have also made donations to the fund, and the organization has matched the total amount of these donations.  All funds raised throughout the week will be added to these donations and on championship Sunday, Derdaele’s family and friends will be at Rexall Centre when a cheque is presented to Dr. Clemons and head nurse Barbara Fitzgerald, RN, at centre court before the singles final.

For a person who meant as much to the Tennis Canada family as Derdaele, Tennis Canada staff wanted to make every effort to properly honour her memory.  All staff members will wear a button featuring an image combining the breast cancer fundraiser with Derdaele’s love of tennis.

In 2006, Tennis Canada created the Carmel Derdaele Award, presented annually to the employee who best exemplifies the ideals and values of the organization. Derdaele was the inaugural recipient of the award, which was presented to her in December.

In addition, Tennis Canada has planted a garden outside of Derdaele’s former office to honour her love of flowers, and a permanent plaque that reads “Carmel’s Garden, in loving memory of Carmel Derdaele, June 2007” has been placed at the site.

While Derdaele’s death was tragic, Tennis Canada has worked hard to ensure that her memory lives on.  The Carmel Derdaele Fund will help continue the giving and caring legacy of the woman who touched so many hearts.

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