Launch of the ITF and IC Player Mentoring Programme

The IC Council is proud to announce the launch of the ITF and IC Player Mentoring Programme, in partnership with Give Learn. This unique initiative is designed to support players as they navigate the demands of professional tennis and plan for life beyond the game.

The programme will offer players on the ITF tours the opportunity to be matched with an experienced mentor from the worlds of finance, technology, entrepreneurship and beyond — someone who can offer guidance, perspective and a genuine connection outside of tennis.

Over the course of twelve months, participants will receive eight one-to-one sessions with their mentor alongside four group workshops covering topics such as building your personal brand on LinkedIn, starting a business while competing, financial planning, and preparing for a career after tennis.

Whether a player is thinking about their next chapter or simply wants to grow beyond the court, this programme could be for them.

Players can apply by logging in to the ITF website at itftennis.com using their IPIN. The deadline for 2026 applications is 30 June 2026.

For more information, click here to read more about the programme or contact player.care@itftennis.com with any queries.

Become a programme mentor

Our global IC community is full of individuals who have built successful careers in a wide range of fields and may have valuable experience to offer participants on the ITF and IC Player Mentoring Programme as mentors.

In particular, we’d like to hear from IC members who have:

• Industry expertise — a recognised leader or specialist in their field with a track record that players can learn from and credibility that commands respect
• Genuine desire to give back — motivated by impact rather than profile, someone who sees mentoring as a privilege not a transaction
• Time availability — senior enough to be valuable, but not so stretched they can't show up consistently for a monthly session
• Cross-cultural awareness — comfortable working with young athletes from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, many of whom are navigating life outside their home country
• Commercial or entrepreneurial experience — able to help players think about life beyond sport, from brand building and investments to business foundations and financial literacy
• Emotional intelligence — understands the unique pressures of elite sport, can listen as well as advise, and knows the difference between coaching and mentoring.

If this sounds like you and you would like to be considered to become a programme mentor, please contact James Cluskey from Give Learn at j.cluskey@givelearn.net. James is a member of the IC of Ireland – you can read more about his tennis and IC background here.

Mike Dunk Elected New Chairman of South Africa IC.

Mike hails from England where he played tennis for his county, Dorset, both as a junior and senior. He was also a Dorset athletic champion. He worked for Midland Bank in England before emigrating to South Africa in 1967 but immediately went to Rhodesia to work for a bank there before returning to South Africa in 1976.

He has served on both club and Provincial committees and represented Gauteng East at inter provincial tournaments. His real talent lies in broadcasting and he has covered all major tournaments in South Africa since 1980 together with a number of overseas Davis Cup ties in Sweden, Germany and Italy.

He worked at the French Open as well as Wimbledon and the ATP year end top 8 tournament.  He also presented sports programs on radio and television.

Although he retired from broadcasting some years back, with the advent of Live Streaming he was able to “come out of retirement” and has covered Davis Cup matches over the past four years.  He also started a tennis magazine program “Game, Set and Match” for streaming.

He is married to June, who is the secretary of the SA IC, and has two daughters both of whom are working in London.

At the AGM Mike paid tribute to the Leonie and thanked her for seven years of “dedication and commitment to the IC here in South Africa.” The establishment of the two development clinics in Vosloorus and Kenton on Sea “will be the landmark tribute to her tenure in office.”

Leonie will not be lost to the IC as she will remain on the South African committee and retains her place at the African representative on the IC Council.

Lorna Krog, who has been involved with veterans’ tennis and the IC for many years, was elected as Honorary President.  It is a befitting honour in view of her dedication to all aspects of tennis in South Africa over many years.