Shahar Peer leads workshop for underprivileged kids in NY
Prominent Israeli tennis player breaks from grueling training for US Open, joins forces with IsraelI Consulate in Big Apple, city's Sports Commission and Parks Foundation to hold tennis workshop for Queens' kids
Some 40 underprivileged children from New York City had the unique opportunity of participating in a free tennis workshop with Israel's leading tennis player Shahar Peer, which took place in Kissena Park in Flushing, Queens last Thursday.
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Peer is currently ranked 25th on the Women's Tennis Association Tour. The clinic was held at Kissena Park in Flushing, Queens.
Peer was extremely excited to participate in the workshop, which was organized by the Consulate General of Israel in New York, in collaboration with the New York City Sports Commission and the City Parks Foundation.
"The Consulate General of Israel is very happy that we have the opportunity to arrange this workshop for New York City kids with Shahar Peer," said Asaf Shariv, Israel's Consul General in New York. "As these kids prepare to go back to school, I am sure that this tennis workshop will be one of their summer highlights."
Peer with the children (Photo: Eugene Gologursky)
"Shahar Peer is one of the world's top-ranked tennis players and we are very fortunate that she is willing to take a break from her preparations for the US Open to conduct a free workshop for some of New York City's underprivileged children," said New York City Sports Commissioner Kenneth Podziba.
"These children are in for a real treat as they will have an opportunity to get some tips from a world class tennis player and have the opportunity to hit with her. Perhaps one of these youngsters will be fortunate enough to follow in Shahar's footsteps and someday play in the US Open."
"Our City Parks Tennis program presented by Chase helps thousands of local youth to stay active and healthy while learning a sport they can enjoy their whole lives," said Mike Silverman, Director of Sports Programs for City Parks Foundation.
"We're pleased that these youth can also learn from one of the world's outstanding tennis professionals today, Shahar Peer, and we thank the Consulate General of Israel in New York and the New York City Sports Commission for making this possible."
"There is nothing like sports to bring people together," said David Saranga, Consul for Media Relations and Public Affairs at the Israeli Consulate. "It is especially meaningful when we are able to bring together children of different ethnicities with a similar interest – tennis."
