IC Philanthropy Foundation (a UK registered charity) was established by the Council of International Clubs in 2009 as an integral activity of the 42 nations, which run their own International Clubs (ICs). Having been formed first in 1924 the countries which are active today concluded that it was a natural extension of their original objective to bring nations together through tennis and generate international goodwill. The purpose after some 90 years of existence was the worthy objective to have a section of the IC community engaged in seeking to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people through tennis. Specifically the objective has been to teach tennis to disadvantaged and disabled children in communities around the world so that sport can provide an alternative path from life on the streets and the dangers of drugs, crime and negative peer pressure.
The objective of all our activities is to incorporate a life skills programme to help children understand and learn from the psychological benefits of tennis. Since inception we have sought to develop in these young people a positive attitude and foster a strong work ethic and approach to life. In this way, we help the children to acquire a sense of purpose, instilling the belief that anything is possible even in difficult circumstances.
To date over 15,000 children and young people have benefitted from programmes run or overseen by 16 ICs. Some have gone to overseas Universities
Each programe focuses on approximately 50 to 100 children with the programmes in Australia, Uruguay and the UK reaching well over a thousand. The Foundation funds facilities, equipment and coaching for these programmes and assesses the effectiveness of these initiatives on an on-going basis. A grant will only be made to a programme where there is matched funding from another source, preferably a local, or efforts to generate that additional funding are in place. Read more To learn more about how you can support or donate to our programmes, please review Sponsorship and Donations.
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It is a great honour to have the opportunity to lead the next stage of ICPF. I have been fortunate enough to sit alongside Barry and the rest of the Board of Trustees for a number of years, being able to learn and contribute to the success of our programmes. I thank Barry for all his hard work since the inception of ICPF and look forward to continuing our efforts to provide our participants with the best possible experience, tools and opportunities.
I am delighted to be a Patron of IC Philanthropy and I continue to be impressed by the progress and reach which the Foundation has achieved since its activities began in 2009 and now as a fully fledged Charity. I am looking forward to helping ICPF further to grow and continue its work to make a difference to the lives of many young disadvantaged people.
There is so much that can be done for impoverished children through playing sport. Teaching children tennis helps them to learn about the joys and disappointments of winning and losing, of sticking to rules and acquiring self-discipline, and providing valuable guidance for life. I am impressed at the way those running the programmes supported by ICPF have generously donated their time and skills to make a difference in the lives of so many children.
I came across ICPF through a fundraising event in 2013 – watching a powerful film narrated by Sir Trevor McDonald, which brought home the importance of the programmes that the Charity supports. Today, young children in nearly 20 countries are growing in self-confidence, learning new interpersonal skills, broadening their horizons and are being introduced to a healthier way of life. Tennis has given me so much, and I hope I can help others in more challenging circumstances to benefit in similar ways.
Tennis has given me so many opportunities, friends and life skills that I am delighted to have been elected a trustee for the ICPF to further this charity's valuable work in giving disadvantaged young people and communities around the globe opportunities "to learn to play and play to learn" through tennis programmes. Very much enjoying working with my co-trustees and our new Chairman, Felipe Bunster, to continue the great work initiated by Barry Weatherill.
Boyd Cuthbertson trained as a Chartered Accountant in 1982. He was educated in Zimbabwe and moved to the UK in 1989. His working life has been spent in London’s financial sector. He is a member of the International Lawn Tennis Club of Great Britain (IC of GB) and The All England Lawn Tennis Club. He has been involved with the Philanthropy arm of the IC Council since its inception in 2009 and looks after the Charity’s Finances.
David has been an International Lawn Tennis Club of the United States member since 1990 and is currently USIC Honorary Secretary. His career includes numerous leadership positions in the consumer technology arena followed by owning a group of machine tool manufacturing companies and a music agency business. “Tennis has provided me with so much that giving back through the sport is a natural. I am excited to support the great work that ICPF does for children around the globe.”
Jane Hannon was educated in Barbados and moved to the UK in 1992. Jane worked as an Administrator at The All England Lawn Tennis Club for 14 years.
She is a member of the International Clubs of Barbados and Ireland, as well as being a visiting member of the IC of GB. She joined the Philanthropic arm of the IC Council in 2012 and is currently both the Secretary and a Trustee to the Charity.
Neil has enjoyed his career working in UK financial services after qualifying as an actuary in 1990, but not as much as all the time he has spent hitting balls with rackets or clubs outside of this. He is honorary secretary of the International Lawn Tennis Club of Great Britain, a member of the East Gloucestershire Club board, and the AELTC. He has been involved with the Philanthropy arm of the IC Council since 2023.
Scott is a photographer and venture philanthropist following a career in Finance. He was educated in the US and UK and moved to London in 1988. He serves on many boards in the US and UK primarily in sports, education and the arts.
He is a member of the International Lawn Tennis Club of Great Britain (IC of GB) and The All England Lawn Tennis Club and has served on the Global Advisory Boards of the WTA and ATP.
Henri Reiter is a founding trustee of IC Philantropy Foundation. After a career in banking and finance, he acts today as an independant director in the fund industry and in private holding companies.
Henri is a citizen of Luxembourg and the Honorary Secretary of the IC of Luxembourg. He is also a member of the board of the IC Council.
