Green Frieberg Israel Tennis & Education Center – Sderot During a visit to Israel, Canadian philanthropists Kevin Green and Joe Frieberg met with the mayor of Sderot while touring ITEC Beer Sheva. Familiar with ITEC’s impact on children in underserved communities, the mayor seized the opportunity to advocate for his city, urging them to bring an ITEC center to Sderot to support its youth.
Why Sderot? For decades, Sderot has lived under the constant threat of rocket fire. Children grow up knowing they may have only 15 seconds to reach shelter, and many experience ongoing trauma and anxiety. The attacks of October 7th and the subsequent evacuation of much of the city caused even greater disruption to family life, education and the stability of the community. As residents return and Sderot continues to rebuild, families need more than restored buildings. Children need safe places to go outside of school, trusted adults in their lives and consistent opportunities to reconnect with friends, regain confidence and experience moments of normalcy and joy. The Green Frieberg ITEC Sderot will help build a stronger future for the city's children. By helping young people feel safe, supported and connected, this center will contribute to the long-term resilience of the entire community.
Opening Fall 2026
Who We Will Serve
Why This Center Matters
ITEC Sderot will serve children and youth from throughout the city, neighbouring border kibbutzim and surrounding communities, with a particular focus on those facing socioeconomic hardship, trauma and other barriers to opportunity.
The Green Frieberg ITEC Sderot Center will be a safe and welcoming community hub where children can participate in sports, educational enrichment and social-impact programs, connect with trusted mentors and mental health professionals, build friendships, and receive the consistent support they need to heal and grow.
The Center will support: • • • •
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Children from low-income and underserved families Children coping with trauma, chronic stress and instability Young people whose education and routines have been disrupted Families with limited access to safe public spaces, extracurricular activities and mental health support Children from neighbouring border communities
Children in Sderot face heightened risks arising from poverty, prolonged exposure to violence and conflict, social isolation and community fragmentation.
Through structured programming and caring relationships, children will develop confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Programs will be inclusive and accessible, ensuring that every child—regardless of background, identity or financial circumstances—has an opportunity to participate and reach their full potential. The Center will help close critical gaps in opportunity by giving children access to the resources, guidance and experiences that many families cannot otherwise afford.
ISRAEL TENNIS & EDUCATION CENTERS ITEC operates at the convergence of tennis, education, and social-impact programming in Israel. We aim to instill a “Champion for Life” drive in the hearts and minds of every child, by making tennis – and the values it teaches – accessible to all. We believe sport is a powerful vehicle for personal growth, equipping children with the physical, emotional, mental, and social resilience needed to succeed in life.
50
years of transforming lives through the power of sports and education — helping children grow and thrive on and off the court.
25
500,000+
$4.5M
strategic locations across Israel with an emphasis on forging deep community roots in underserved areas.
of Israel's children have graced our centers, discovered new pathways and carried forward valuable life lessons along the way.
in annual scholarships are awarded to underprivileged children, ensuring that no one is ever left behind.