VUKOVAR TENNIS CAMP

Vukovar

Vukovar is a city located in the eastern parts of Croatia by the river Danube. The city is known for its multieth- nic population and the terrible war that took place in the city twenty years ago. The situation after the war in Vu- kovar is getting better; although the wounds and mem- ories from the battles are visible on buildings, people and the society. From an early age, right at the start of the social interactions with people Serbs and Croats are separated in different kindergartens and schools.We believe that this is not good for the future develop-ment of the city. We want to break barriers with tennis, which is an expensive sport in Croatia. With the combi-nation of tennis being an elite sport and poverty, playing tennis is almost impossible for the children. We want to give the children of Vukovar a chance to learn the basic skills of tennis, make new friends, have a good summer, and work- ing on bringing the ethnic groups closer togeth-er again.

vision

Our vision with Vukovar Tennis Camp is to give the children a chance to play a sport that many cannot afford to play. To work on social integration in a city where a form of apartheid still is acceptable. To create a fun and learning atmosphere for the children in Vukovar.

goals“If Vukovar Tennis Camp never happened, my son and many of the kids who are here would never get the chance to play tennis otherwise” - Father of a participant

Grow - Sports Camp is an organization founded in 2013 by Denis Ilecic, Dino Ilecic and Lisa Skeppstedt. We organized our first camp with 50 participants in the summer of 2013. During the camp the children learned the basic knowledge in Tennis.

We want to continue to grow and make Vukovar Tennis Camp available for more children than the first camp. Our goals are to expand the coaching staff, organize a camp for disabled children, develop more partnerships, give students with various different backgrounds and knowledge a chance to work and develop the camp, we would like to expand the option of sports with football and basketball.

relations

We do not believe that tennis itself will end the harsh feelings between Croats and Serbs in the city. What we do believe is that with the help of sports the children will build relationships that can be carried on and continued off the tennis court.

The kids will disagree, argue, and be kids when they compete but they will do it under the supervision of well educated leaders who will let them be kids. What we believe is important here is that they will do it together, in a group as tennis players at Vukovar Tennis Camp.

“I don’t mind you calling me Croat…Serbs and Croats, it’s almost the same.” - Novak Djokovic (Serbian tennis player).

Coaches

The staff of Vukovar Tennis Camp have several years of experience of playing, coaching, organizing tournaments and camps on a national and international level. We are passionate about sports, children and contribuiting to the development of Vukovar.During the battle of Vukovar the family Ilecic moved to Sweden where we grew up. With the help of our friends this is our way of giving back to the city.

Dino Ilecic

23 year old sports science student. Founder, project leader and coach.

Denis Ilecic

25 years old law-student. Worked as a tennis coach and helped out with logistics and communications.

Zeljko Ilecic

Denis’ and Dino’s father. Tennis dad since 1998. Handled transportation, and helped out with coaching when needed.

Lisa Skeppstedt

25 years old project leader for Swedish Open & If Stockholm Open. Worked as a tennis coach and as an english teacher.

Zeljka Vidic

35 years old. Helped out as an assistant coach. Holds a Ph.d. in sports science.

Partners

On the behalf of the participants, coaches and organizers we would like to thank our supportive partners for contributing and making Vukovar Tennis Camp possible. We hope that we can continue our collaboration, grow together and make Vukovar Tennis Camp available for more children than the first time. You brought a lot of joy and smiles to the children of Vukovar this summer. Thank you!

Contact information:

Dino Ilecic+ 46 73 565 90 98 dino.ilecic@gmail.com

Thanks to:

Smilja Ilecic, Ivana Komatina, Ivana Raguz, Marcela Marin, Henrik Stenmo, Alexander Agnarson, Tomislav Dzanak, Danijela Stankovic, Zeljko Sabo, Vanja Nedic, Victoria Jansson, Annika Perger, Johan Örtegren, Grigor Dimitrov, Stanislas Wawrinka, Peo Hillman and Natalie Barker - Ruchti