Meet your Regional Representative for Europe: Eva-Maria Schneider, IC of Germany

Former professional tennis player and long-standing member of the IC movement, Eva-Maria Schneider, has spent decades combining her passion for tennis with a commitment to building international friendships through the sport. From competing on the world stage as a junior and professional player to helping connect IC members across Europe, Eva-Maria continues to play an active role in strengthening the global IC community.

Eva-Maria’s tennis journey began at an early age in Germany, where she became a member of the German junior national team. As a junior player, she travelled extensively and competed in tournaments around the world, including all four Grand Slam events. One of her standout moments came at Wimbledon in 1985, when she reached the semifinals of the girls’ doubles alongside Wiltrud Probst, who later went on to become a Top 50 WTA player and remains an active member of the IC of Germany.

After finishing school, Eva-Maria spent two and a half years competing professionally on the WTA Tour, achieving a career-high singles ranking of 234 and reaching around 200 in doubles. Alongside her professional career, she was also a member of the Bundesliga team of Bayer Leverkusen. During her university years, she continued combining academics with tennis while playing for the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Eva-Maria became a member of the IC of Germany around 2006, with one of her earliest experiences being competing for the Dunlop Trophy in Great Britain. She recalls being introduced to the IC through former president Alex Kurucz, whose invitation immediately appealed to her.

“What struck me right away was the unique spirit of the IC,” she explains. “It combines so many of the things I enjoy most about tennis and international friendships.”

For Eva-Maria, being part of the IC offers far more than just competition on court. She particularly values the opportunity to play high-level tennis in special and historic venues around the world, experiences that she says she may otherwise never have had. Equally important are the friendships and connections built through the organisation.

“Meeting up with like-minded people, many of whom I have known for years, is incredibly special,” she says. “And beyond that, it is simply a great honour to be part of such a unique group.”

Among her many memorable IC experiences, one stands above the rest: the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the IC of Great Britain. Spending a full week at Wimbledon and taking part in the extensive anniversary programme remains one of her favourite memories within the organisation.

Another recent highlight came in March 2025 during the founding session of the IC of Bolivia, where members gathered at the remarkable Club de Tenis La Paz at high altitude. The event further reinforced for Eva-Maria the international and inclusive spirit that makes the IC movement so distinctive.

Today, Eva-Maria serves as Regional Representative for the ICs of Europe, a role she greatly enjoys because it allows her to bring people together from different countries and backgrounds.

“I really enjoy connecting with people and learning about the different programmes and activities across the various ICs,” she says. “Our online meetings are always interesting and inspiring, and I learn something new every time.”

Through her experience as a player, organiser and ambassador for international tennis friendship, Eva-Maria Schneider continues to embody the values at the heart of the IC movement: sportsmanship, connection and a lifelong love of the game.

You can connect with Eva-Maria through Facebook.

IC of New Zealand celebrates its 60th Anniversary

The weekend of the 27th/ 28th August saw the culmination of the 60th Anniversary celebrations of the IC of New Zealand. Held in Auckland, IC members participated in or spectated some tennis at Parnell Tennis Club, before a “Life of Anthony Wilding” play, and dinner and drinks at Carlton Cornwall Bowling Club. 

Over 120 members attended, coming from all over the country as well as overseas. Guests included the Chairman of the IC Council Executive Committee, Peter McQuibban, and the President of Tennis New Zealand and ITF Board Member, Celia Patrick, who is also an honorary member of the IC of NZ. 

Fittingly, Des Shaw, the President of the IC of NZ, awarded Jeff Robson with a Lifetime Membership of the club. Jeff was a foundation member and patron of the IC of NZ in 1956, and has a remarkable history in NZ sport, in both tennis and badminton. In tennis, he has won the NZ singles title three times, represented the Davis Cup Team before captaining New Zealand’s Davis Cup Team for 10 years. In badminton, with many titles to his name, Jeff was ranked in the top 6 in the world, and then went on to be a controller of badminton at several Olympics for 25 years.  

Sunday saw a great day of golf at The Royal Auckland, organised by Greg Long, followed by a gourmet lunch arranged by John Lockington. Des Shaw remarked; “it was a beautiful day enjoyed by all and fitting conclusion to two days of celebrations of the 60th anniversary”.