From October 25 to November 1, 2024, a successful training camp and tennis talent tournament took place in the beautiful surroundings of the Beskydy Tennis Club Advantage in Bielsko-Biała. This international event was organized as part of a project co-financed by the European Union and attracted young athletes aged 12-14 and coaches from the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia. The camp aimed, among other things, to support cross-border cooperation and the integration of children and adults through sport.
The project was implemented thanks to the Small Project Fund of the Interreg Czech Republic-Poland 2021–2027 program, whose main goal is to promote cooperation between regions and the exchange of experiences within the European Union. The tennis camp not only contributed to the development of the young participants’ sports skills, but also served as an excellent opportunity to establish new friendly and professional contacts between children from different countries. In addition to the sporting experience itself, the children had the chance to get to know different cultures, language and lifestyle differences, and enjoy the atmosphere of international cooperation.
Strong Experiences from Cross-Border Cooperation
One of the main benefits of this camp was the opportunity for young athletes from different countries to not only exchange experiences on the tennis court but also form friendships with peers from other parts of Europe. Thanks to this international meeting, participants could see the differences in sports training and how the approach to tennis varies across cultures. The connections made could be valuable to the children in the future, both on a sporting and personal level.
“It was amazing to meet children from Poland and Slovakia. We not only played tennis together, but also got to know new people and cultures. I believe this camp will be a great benefit to me in the future,” says one of the camp participants.
Cooperation Between Tennis Associations from Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia
The camp, supported by the tennis federations from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, proved to be an excellent tool for sharing experiences and training methodologies. This cooperation helped create a high-quality and balanced program tailored to emerging tennis talents. During the camp, participants not only took part in training sessions but also in a competitive tournament, which was the highlight of the entire event. There was also an exchange with local government representatives from the involved regions.
Project Supporting Cultural Exchange and European Integration
The “Training Camp and Tennis Talent Tournament” project is an example of how sport can serve as a tool for integration and cultural exchange among young people. With the support of the European Union, it was possible to create a platform that helps children not only develop their sporting abilities but also gain a better understanding of other cultures and foster interpersonal relationships at the European level.
“This camp was a great opportunity for the development of the children both in terms of sports and their personal growth. I am glad that, thanks to European funding, we were able to create a project that has a positive impact on our young talents and the entire community,” said one of the project organizers.
Acknowledgements and Looking Forward
We would like to thank all the participants, coaches, and partners who were involved in the implementation of this project. We believe that this international tennis camp will not be a one-time event, but will become part of a broader process of connecting young people from different countries and cultures through sport.
We look forward to future editions and new opportunities that this project will bring!
