ISRAEL TENNIS & EDUCATION CENTERS
Special Needs Program
About ITEC
Founded in 1976, the Israel Tennis & Education Centers has become one of Israel’s largest social service organizations, providing comprehensive social-emotional, athletic, and recreational programs and support services to youth from historically marginalized communities throughout the country.
Our centers, which span from Kiryat Shmona in the North to Beer Sheva in the South, serve 24 communities. They are open six days a week and welcome more than 10,000 youth annually, ranging in age from preschool to young adulthood. This includes the 1,600 youth we serve in our social-impact programs.
Our vision is a world where every Israeli child’s potential is not just realized but celebrated. We aspire to be the catalysts for positive change fostering lifelong skills, inclusivity, and excellence on and off the court.
Israel Tennis & Education Centers Special Needs Program
The Special Needs Program offers a warm, inclusive, and empowering environment for children and young adults with intellectual, developmental, emotional, and physical disabilities. Whether at the centers or in school classrooms, the program provides consistent, high-quality support through tennis and complementary enrichment activities.
Sessions are conducted both at ITEC centers and in nearby schools when travel isn’t possible. For example, when students from the Nativ School in Tel Aviv were temporarily relocated, ITEC coach Barak traveled to them to ensure the continuation of training. These adaptations ensure that programming remains consistent and uninterrupted.
Students eagerly look forward to their weekly sessions and return to class energized and proud. Teachers report improved behavior, heightened self-worth, and increased engagement at school as a result of their participation in tennis.
Special Needs Program
Who the Program Serves
The program supports participants from the age of 3 through young adulthood, with specialized programming tailored to a wide range of needs, including:
• Autism and Down Syndrom
• ADHD/ADD
• Psychiatric and emotional disorders
• Physical disabilities, including wheelchair users
Each child is treated with care and respect, with personalized attention from trained coaches and social coordinators.
Core Goals
Skill Development: Enhancing motor and cognitive skills through tennis drills and games
• Social Growth: Building friendships and improving social interactions
• Emotional Empowerment: Fostering independence, responsibility, self-confidence, and sportsmanship
• Sense of Belonging: Helping children feel they are an integral part of the tennis center and greater community
• Competitive Opportunities: Introducing participants to friendly matches and local/national competitions
Passionate, Dedicated Coaches
Coaches like Barak bring years of experience, deep compassion, and a professional approach to working with special needs groups. His ability to connect with each child individually and his unwavering patience contribute significantly to their growth and success.
Partnerships with Schools
The program partners with schools like the Nativ School and the Galil School, creating seamless collaboration between ITEC and educators. These schools often lack resources for extracurricular activities, so ITEC’s support fills a critical
gap by offering professional sports enrichment that directly contributes to the students’ emotional and social development.
Centers Offering Programming
Special needs programming is currently offered at 15 ITEC centers across Israel, including:
• Tel Aviv
• Ramat Hasharon
• Jerusalem
• Jaffa
• Haifa
• Beer Sheva
• Kiryat Ono
• Kiryat Shmona
• Ofakim
• Tiberias
• Arad
• Akko
• Yokneam
• Ashkelon
• Sajur
Specialized Initiatives
Wheelchair Tennis: Enables physical activity and community for children with physical disabilities; includes participation in international tournaments.
• Special Olympics Training: Conducted in partnership with Special Olympics, offering inclusive, empowering sports experiences.
• Autism & Down Syndrome Focus: Provides structured social interaction and confidence-building through adapted tennis programs.
• ADHD/ADD Support: Uses physical activity to teach focus, regulate energy, and build self-esteem.
Measuring Success
Success is not just measured by tennis skills, but by the joy on children’s faces, their growing confidence, and the strengthened social connections they develop week after week.
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ITEC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. Tax ID: 13-2961273