Supporting young tennis talents who have quality and ambition but not the economic resources to make the most of them, and putting them in a position to develop their full potential: this is the objective that convinced Dierre to sponsor the Little Tennis Champions programme, promoted by the I Tennis Foundation, which will donate a scholarship to 12 Under 16 athletes in the two years 2024-2025.
‘The educational aspect of this project, the great opportunity it offers to talented young sportsmen and the level of the technicians involved immediately won us over,’ emphasises Laura De Robertis, Marketing Director of the leading Italian company of security doors, interior doors, and security locks. ‘Dierre’s mission is to contribute to the safety and wellbeing of our communities, and helping our girls and boys realise their dreams is a great way to achieve this.’
The third edition of the programme will provide access to 11 Under 18 international tournaments of the ITF Circuit and 5 rallies in preparation for competitive events, under the supervision of coaches of the calibre of Emilio Sanchez (former ATP No. 7), Ivan Ljubicic (former world No. 3 and Roger Federer’s last coach) and Gipo Arbino, who led Lorenzo Sonego to victory in the Davis Cup after coaching him from the age of 11. Marco Panichi, Novak Djokovic’s athletic trainer for seven seasons, during which the Serbian tennis player won 11 Grand Slam titles, also contributes to the programme.
The annual scholarship plan, which was launched in the summer of 2022 with a call for applications throughout Italy and on-court selections with champion Francesca Schiavone, can count on ambassadors such as Lorenzo Musetti, Lorenzo Sonego and Matteo Arnaldi, protagonists with Jannik Sinner of Italy’s Davis Cup victory in 2023, as well as Italian players Jasmine Paolini and Elisabetta Cocciaretto, and coaches Vincenzo Santopadre and Omar Camporese.
Testifying to the goodness of the project, the young athletes involved in the first two editions have won no less than 2 Italian titles, 21 tournaments, and reached 20 finals and 28 semi-finals.
I Tennis Foundation is the Italian charity based in Turin that makes tennis a tool for personal fulfillment. The association, founded in 2018 on the initiative of Turin-based lawyer Simone Bongiovanni, aims to provide social and sporting redemption to young talents from disadvantaged geopolitical, economic, and social backgrounds through school and tennis training.
Dierre is the Italian brand that drives innovation in armoured doors, interior doors, and security locks. Founded in 1975 by Alessandro and Vincenzo De Robertis, the company’s strengths include combining technological research and design, industrial production, and craftsmanship. A unique partner for all projects, both residential and non-residential, with a turnkey service for large construction sites and a complete range of solutions including security doors, fire doors, counter-frames for concealed doors, sliding doors, garage and safe locks, locks, and cylinders for armoured doors.
Information: 0141-941111 www.dierre.it