Chen Bashan

The Israel Tennis Centers is a non-profit organization that has worked for over 35 years to enhance the social, psychological and physical development of Israeli youth through the medium of sport. Currently one of the largest social-service agencies for children in Israel, the ITC operates 14 centers throughout Israel's periphery, complete with cutting edge facilities and tennis courts that serve over 21,000 children each week. The ITC provides a safe environment in which children from various social groups can mature emotionally, socially and academically. Since its inception, over 350,000 participants have successfully graduated from the ITC. The ITC offers a myriad of programs for children: from motor skills programs for kindergarten children, Mini Tennis for 6-8 year olds, to the Achievement and Competitive Programs, which give talented young players the opportunity to become world-class tennis champions. The ITC's true uniqueness stems from the desire to reach struggling children who are usually left behind. Be it children from broken homes, youth with hearing deficiencies, adolescents in wheelchairs or the developmentally challenged, the ITC offers a wide array of community outreach programs throughout Israel.