ITF Advantage All launch first Twinning Initiative

The International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) Advantage All Programme announces the inaugural launch of its Twinning Initiative, a programme designed to advance gender equality strategies in tennis through global collaboration.

The Initiative will pair two nations to foster a meaningful alliance, leveraging others’ experiences and insights across the sport.

In this pilot year, Tennis Canada – recipient of the 2023 Advantage All Gold Award – and Seychelles Tennis Association, a Highly Commended achiever, are participating. Tennis Canada, as the lead twin, have committed to invest their entire $5000 prize money into supporting and guiding partner twin, Seychelles Tennis Association. This collaboration aims to not only enhance gender balance but also foster a deeper cultural understanding between the two nations.

The Twinning Initiative is a new component of the ITF’s Reward and Recognition Programme, which celebrates and supports significant strides for parity. It fosters knowledge sharing and mutual support between National Associations, encouraging nation-to-nation collaboration, sharing expertise and cultural respect.

The concept of the twinning was first proposed during an ITF’s Advantage All women’s leadership webinar. It was recognised as an effective way to unite nations with shared goals and challenges, embodying the core values of the Advantage All Programme: Empower, Balance, Culture, Value, and Voice.

The ITF’s Advantage All Reward and Recognition Programme has been instrumental in highlighting and supporting efforts towards inclusivity across tennis. In 2023, top honours were awarded to Tennis Canada, Tennis Australia, and Tennis New Zealand, with other commendations going to associations from Bhutan, Ecuador, Seychelles, Sweden, Austria, China, the United States and Great Britain.

The winners of the 2024 Advantage All Awards will be presented at the ITF Annual General Meeting in October.

Applications for the 2024 ITF Advantage All Awards have now been extended to August 30th. This is a prime opportunity for nations to be awarded significant monetary prizes and participate in similar projects like the Twinning Initiative. Award categories include Leadership, Coaching, and Officiating, with Gold ($5000), Silver ($4000), and Bronze ($3000) awards for global winners and additional recognition for Highly Commended projects ($1000).

David Haggerty, ITF President, said, “The launch of the ITF Advantage All Twinning Initiative is a ground breaking step in our mission to advance gender equality strategies and foster international collaboration between nations across our sport. The partnership between Tennis Canada and the Seychelles Tennis Association not only leverages their unique experiences to drive progress but also reinforces our commitment to the programme’s core values. This initiative embodies the spirit of mutual support and cultural exchange, demonstrating how global partnerships can significantly enhance our shared goals. We look forward to the continued growth and impact of this programme and encourage all nations to participate in the upcoming Advantage All Awards to further this important cause for achieving equal opportunities across our sport.”

Eva Havaris, Senior Vice President, Tennis Development and Partnerships at Tennis Canada, said, “We were thrilled to be recognized as the 2023 Gold recipient of the ITF’s Advantage All program.  We are fortunate at Tennis Canada to have a great partner in our gender equity advancement work, National Bank.  Their investment to advance gender equity in tennis in Canada has resulted in our ability to accelerate progress and programs for women and girls in tennis.  We know the power of this work and felt it important to help lift up another nation’s efforts in the spirit of global progress for women and girls in tennis. 

Fatime Kanté, President of Seychelles Tennis Association, said, "Uniting nations, igniting passion, and serving dreams - through the Advantage All Twinning Initiative, Seychelles Tennis Association and Tennis Canada are creating a powerful legacy of unity, excellence, and friendship that transcends borders. Together, we empower players of all levels, inspire progress, and foster a strong sense of community through the universal language of tennis, serving up opportunities for growth, development, and friendship on and off the court, touching every ace, every match, and every heart with the magic of tennis."

Jennifer Bishop, Member of the ITF Davis Cup Committee and former Chair of the board at Tennis Canada said, “Tennis Canada endeavours to create more opportunities for women and girls to thrive in tennis, not just as players, but also as coaches, officials, and leaders. Our federation emphasizes the values of mutual aid and collaboration with all other nations, as it has always recognized that progress in one part of the ecosystem can have positive impact for all. This is why I am delighted to see this new initiative, as it is an additional step towards creating lasting change for women and girls engaged in tennis around the world.”

For more information about the Twinning Initiative and our Reward and Recognition Programme, please visit the ITF Advantage All page on the ITF website.