Each week, hundreds of Israeli Arab and Jewish youngsters are taught the game of tennis in a unique programme run by the Freddie Krivine Foundation.

Created in 1998 to promote co-existence and equal opportunity through tennis, today the Foundation continues to encourage Arab children to play tennis in a variety of different programmes across the country, with new projects opening every year.

With grants from the Freddie Krivine Foundation, old courts are being refurbished and repainted. The newly resurfaced courts in Nazareth now make it the largest tennis school in the Israeli Arab community and one of four supported by the Freddie Krivine Foundation, the fifth will open in Sakhnine, home of Israel’s Premier League Arab-Jewish football team.

Each year the Foundation creates new co-existence programmes for Arab and Jewish children to train and play together. Coaching, social outings and sporting opportunities are part of a dynamic programme to build self-esteem, break down barriers and foster understanding. Mixed Arab and Jewish teams of talented players go on to more intensive coaching and play junior tournaments.

Freddie’s daughter Jane is the director of the Foundation: “We work closely with the local councils in a number of Arab and Jewish communities. Our experienced trainers and coaches introduce young children to a new sport, and those with aptitude and enthusiasm are offered the chance to develop their skills. By the time they reach the age of 16, some of the youngsters will train for Assistant Coaching Certificates, returning to their community to teach a new generation of boys and girls in a sustainable educational cycle. We also give grants for kids to attend tennis camps and to train abroad. There is no shortage of real talent.”

Working with children, parents and educators, the Freddie Krivine Foundation enables
Israeli boys and girls of all backgrounds to train together and play together.