Israel Tennis Centers

Infobox Organization
name = Israel Tennis Centers


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formation = 1974
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type = Sports - Tennis
headquarters = Ramat HaSharon, Israel
location = Israel
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website = http://www.tennis.org.il

Israel Tennis Centers (ITC) is the largest tennis program for children in the world, reaching more than 350,000 families which is 5% of the Israeli population. With 14 centers around the country, they use tennis to promote the social, physical and psychological well being of their students (through other programs such as their Life Skills program). [ [http://www.tennis.org.il/EIndex.html Official Site, English] ] , [ [http://www.israelchildren.org/impact/programs.asp ITC Programs] ]

History

In 1974, Dr. Ian Froman, Freddie Krivine, Joseph D. Shane, Harold Landesberg, Rubin Josephs, and Dr. William H. Lippy began fundraising efforts to launch tennis as a sport in Israel and to build a National Tennis Center in Ramat HaSharon. On April 25, 1976, Leah Rabin cut the ribbon to the Center and 250 children signed up to participate. [ [http://www.israelchildren.org/about/history.asp ITC History] ]

Mission Statement

*To provide all children the opportunity to learn and grow through tennis.
*To give life changing opportunities to disadvantaged youth.
*To affect the future of Israel by providing character and leadership development. [ [http://www.tennis.org.il/EIndex.html Official Site, English] ]

Philosophy

The Pursuit of Excellence on every level. [ [http://www.tennis.org.il/EIndex.html Official Site, English] ]

Notable Alumni

*Anna Smashnova (career-high ranking of #15 in 2003)
*Shahar Pe'er (career-high ranking of #15 in 2007)
*Amos Mansdorf (career-high ranking of #18 in 1987)
*Shlomo Glickstein (career-high ranking of #22 in 1982)
*Harel Levy (career-high ranking of #30 in 2001)
*Shahar Perkiss (career-high ranking of #53 in 1985)
*Gilad Bloom (career-high ranking of #61 in 1990)
*Tzipora Obziler (career-high ranking of #75 in 2007)
*Noam Okun (career-high ranking of #95 in 2002)
*Noam Behr (career-high ranking of #127 in 2001, # 109 in doubles)
*Eyal Ran (career-high ranking of #138 in 1997, # 71 in doubles)
*Hila Rosen (career-high ranking of #138 in 1999)
*Ilana Berger (career-high ranking of #149 in 1992)
*Dudi Sela (career-high ranking of #61 in 2008)
*Oren Motevassel (career-high ranking of #161 in 1997)
*Yevgenia Savransky (career-high ranking of #172 2006)
*Amir Hadad (career-high ranking of #180 in 2003, # 87 in doubles)
*Andy Ram (career-high ranking of #187 in 2002, # 7 in doubles)

[ [http://www.tennis.org.il/EItcChampions.html ITC Champions] ]

External links

* [http://www.tennis.org.il/EIndex.html Official Site, English]
* [http://www.israelchildren.org/index.asp Israel Children's Centers] , the fundraising arm of ITC
* [http://njycamps.org/tsc/html/israel_tennis_center_children_.html Israel Tennis Center's US Tennis Camp]

References