Equip 15 Ukrainian Schools with Tennis Gear

Thanks to your continued support, School Match Point has reached an exciting new milestone. What we shared as plans in our previous update is now becoming a reality for thousands of Ukrainian children.

Following a successful pilot in 2025 in the Lviv region, where more than 13,000 children across 14 public schools were introduced to tennis, the Marta Kostyuk Foundation has launched the second year of School Match Point, expanding the initiative to 37 public schools across the Volyn, Rivne, and Zhytomyr regions.

Over the past half year, our team has focused on bringing this expansion to life. This has involved close coordination with participating schools, organizing the distribution of tennis equipment, and engaging Coach Ambassadors to train and support physical education teachers in delivering tennis lessons.

As part of the second year of School Match Point, we have been working to equip 37 public schools across the Volyn, Rivne, and Zhytomyr regions with the necessary tennis equipment, creating the foundation for a sustainable school tennis program.

Our GlobalGiving campaign remains an important part of our fundraising efforts, helping us work toward our goal of providing 15 schools in Ukraine with complete tennis kits and opening up new sporting opportunities for more children.

For all 37 participating schools, tennis is an entirely new addition to their physical education programs. By providing the necessary equipment and training, we are helping create opportunities that can benefit students for years to come.

An important milestone of this year's expansion was the official launch event in Zhytomyr, attended by Marta Kostyuk herself. Her presence made the occasion especially meaningful, highlighting her personal commitment to creating more opportunities for Ukrainian children through tennis. The event marked an exciting new chapter for School Match Point as the initiative continues to grow and reach more schools across Ukraine.

Supporting the teachers who make it possible. To ensure that tennis becomes a lasting part of school education, we are also investing in the people who bring the sport to life.

With the support of 9 Coach Ambassadors, we successfully conducted two-day training programs in each participating city across the Volyn, Rivne, and Zhytomyr regions, bringing together 84 physical education teachers. The sessions combined theoretical learning with hands-on practice, helping teachers develop the skills needed to introduce tennis into their regular PE lessons. By empowering teachers, we are helping make tennis accessible for future generations.

School Match Point is about much more than learning to play tennis. It is about giving children the chance to discover something new, build confidence, stay active, and experience the joy of sport.

For children growing up during the ongoing war in Ukraine, these opportunities are especially meaningful. Every lesson can become a moment of connection, encouragement, and positive emotion.

One of our Coach Ambassadors, Rita, who is based in Zhytomyr, recently shared a heartwarming experience from a school visit. During a tennis lesson, the children were full of excitement, eagerly listening and learning how to hold a racquet and hit the ball correctly. What made the moment even more special was seeing their PE teacher just as engaged, asking questions and learning alongside the students. It was a wonderful reminder that School Match Point creates opportunities not only for children to discover something new, but also for teachers to grow, learn, and share the joy of tennis with their students.

Through our GlobalGiving campaign, we aim to equip 15 Ukrainian schools with complete tennis kits, making it possible for children to discover tennis as part of their regular school experience.

As School Match Point continues to grow, our focus remains on making tennis a sustainable and accessible part of school life. In the coming months, we will continue supporting participating schools, working closely with teachers, and creating more opportunities for children to enjoy the sport.

Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us bring tennis to more Ukrainian children. Your generosity is helping us build something that will last far beyond a single lesson or school year.

Together, we are opening new doors, one school at a time.

Links:

• Read a story of our Coach Ambassador