Equip 15 Ukrainian Schools with Tennis Gear

Thanks to your incredible support, School Match Point is entering an exciting new chapter.

After a successful pilot in the Lviv region, where more than 13,000 children across 14 public schools discovered tennis through their PE lessons, the project has now entered its second year. 

The response has exceeded all expectations. We received 84 applications from schools across the Volyn, Rivne, and Zhytomyr regions, all eager to introduce tennis to their students.

For more than 33,000 children this September will bring more than the start of a new school year. It will mark their first opportunity to experience tennis as part of their school education. Until now, none of the 40 selected schools had the equipment or resources to include tennis in PE lessons. Thanks to your generosity, that is about to change. 

While the second year of School Match Point will launch in 40 public schools, our GlobalGiving campaign is focused on equipping 15 of those with complete tennis kits. And we have already raised over $3,000 – enough to fully equip three schools with complete tennis kits. Each kit includes 32 tennis racquets, over 200 tennis balls and other essential equipment, allowing schools to deliver engaging tennis lessons even without tennis courts. 

Building a lasting program requires more than equipment. We have now completed the selection of 13 Coach Ambassadors – experienced, certified tennis coaches from across the participating regions who will mentor schools throughout the project. The coaches will train and support PE teachers, helping them confidently deliver tennis lessons using an internationally recognized methodology adapted for school settings. Together with the equipment provided, this ensures that tennis becomes a sustainable and lasting part of school life.

While preparations for September are well underway, the success of last year’s pilot in the Lviv region continues to inspire us. During summer school camps, children who first experienced tennis in their school gyms were invited onto real tennis courts for the very first time. Their reactions were unforgettable and we're excited to share a short video with you. For many children, it was their first opportunity to see themselves on a tennis court, and their enthusiasm reminded us why this project matters so much.

Danylo from fifth grade shared: "I'm glad that from now on our school will have tennis every year because tennis is a sport that inspires. I really loved tennis." Sofiia from 8th grade explained that tennis makes PE exciting because "every lesson is different, so it's never boring." Teachers are seeing the impact as well. PE teacher Oksana told us, "The children come to lessons happy, knowing they will get to play tennis."

The impact is already being felt by families. One parent shared: "My daughter prepares for her tennis lessons at school in advance. These lessons are a real adventure for her." When asked what had changed most, the parent smiled and said, "Her eyes glow. She's becoming more responsible and gets herself ready for the things she truly enjoys." Moments like these show that this project is about far more than learning a new sport. It is about giving children living through extraordinary challenges something to look forward to, helping them build confidence, resilience, and joy.

Thank you for making this possible. Every donation is helping open the door to new opportunities for thousands of Ukrainian children, one school at a time.

We'd be grateful if you shared this project with your friends, family, or colleagues – helping more people discover School Match Point means more children can experience the joy of tennis and the opportunities it brings especially during the ongoing war. If you're looking for another way to make a lasting impact, becoming a recurring donor helps us plan ahead and bring tennis to even more schools year after year.

Links:

• Read about the project on our website
• Watch our video
• Read a story of our Coach Ambassador