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.

Report on 2016 IC AGM

Morning Workshops:

1.Website

The websites are now 5 years old and due for an update

Social media demands that they should be smartphone/tablet compatible

Work has begun on Philanthropy site. This will be followed by GB site and then Council site.

All other sites will have the new look and feel by March 2017 and updates will be carried out remotely.

2. Match making

We have a full 2016/2017 calendar with events scheduled as follows:

Final of The Compass IC  Junior Challenge - Monte Carlo ,  Sept 2016

Columbus Trophy,  New Delhi, November 2016

Juego de Pilote, Brussels  Aug 2017

IC Week Berlin, 20 August 2107

La Carreta Bulgaria Sept ? 2017

We then have IC Weeks or celebratory events  planned for Japan 2018, France 2019, S Africa 2020, Belgium 2022, GB 2024 (centenary)

See calendar for full details

3. Philanthropy

Report given by Barry Weatherill and Boyd Cuthbertson of latest list of 12 projects

Philanthropy is financially robust

Achieved full Charitable Status

More projects are now requested

New Philanthropy tie available and scarf will be available by end August

2016 AGM

Attended by 54 people representing 37 countries

Council Executive Business plans for 2016 have largely been achieved or exceeded

New brochure planned by end 2016

Increased grants available for Council sponsored events

Officers re-elected for further 3 year term:

Thierry Pham ( permanent member)

Des Shaw (Australasia)

Alex Kurucz (Europe)

Julian Tatum ( events and special projects)

Peter McQuibban (Chairman)

Andrew Ambrose (Hon Sec)

Mike Carroll( Hon Treasurer)

Chris Appleton (Independent Examiner)

Council Finances are in reasonably healthy, but not excessive situation