The Coppini Federico Foundation was created to use tennis as a tool to change lives.
Founded by Federico Coppini, founder of Coppini Tennis Academy, the Foundation began after Federico started coaching children in Kayamandi Township, Stellenbosch. What started as informal sessions quickly became a growing movement focused on giving children safety, belonging, mentorship and opportunity through sport.
Today, the Foundation has impacted more than 1,700 children across South Africa and Tanzania through school programmes, community coaching, tournaments, feeding initiatives and high-performance tennis development.
What makes the Foundation unique is its combination of international tennis expertise and grassroots community impact. Children who would otherwise never have access to the sport are introduced to structured programmes that help them grow both on and off the court.
Over time, the Foundation evolved beyond tennis alone. During Covid-19, the programme expanded into feeding schemes and medicine support, recognising that children cannot thrive in sport if their basic needs are not being met.
The Coppini Federico Foundation focuses on long-term transformation, not short-term charity.
Kris Van Wyk, one of the Foundation’s standout players, became one of South Africa’s leading ATP-ranked players, winning international tournaments and earning ATP points along the way.
Wade Hermanus, progressed through the programme before earning a full tennis scholarship to a college in the United States, showing how tennis can open life-changing opportunities.
Players such as Thiego Andrews, Oyama Fikiso and Bella King have also developed through the Foundation’s coaching and tournament pathways, progressing into competitive tennis.
Beyond players, the Foundation develops coaches and mentors from local communities, creating leadership opportunities that extend the impact far beyond the court.
At the Coppini Federico Foundation, tennis is the vehicle for transformation.
Every child enters the programme with different challenges and potential, which is why the Foundation focuses on developing the whole person — not only the athlete.
Our methodology is built on five pillars:
The Coppini Federico Foundation is building more than tennis players.
It is building stronger communities, healthier children and future leaders.
Every donation directly contributes toward coaching, equipment, facility development, transport, tournaments, school programmes, feeding initiatives and scholarship opportunities for children who would otherwise be left behind.
The demand for the programme continues to grow, with more schools and communities requesting involvement every year. The vision is not only to expand the Foundation’s reach across South Africa, but to continue creating opportunities internationally through tennis, education and social development.
There is an African saying:
“It takes a village to raise a child.”
The Coppini Federico Foundation is inviting the global tennis community to become part of that village.
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