Azrieli Prize
For Outstanding Social Coaches
The Azrieli Award for outstanding coaches and social coaches was founded as part of A vision of the SSI program to promote and strengthen Israeli society through Sports and physical activity. The purpose of the award is to honor the work of Social coaches and encourage more coaches to join this effort.
People with disabilities
Women's empowerment
At-Risk Populations
Cross-sector and cross-demographic collaboration
Social Coach in a Competitive Team
Additionally, a prize of 2,000 NIS will be awarded to the Promising Coach of the Year.
The winners will be selected by the prize’s judging panel, composed of sports and education professionals and an Azrieli Foundation representative.
Important Dates:
- November 6-30, 2025 – Submission of candidates by recommending organizations
- December 4-20, 2025 – Completion of candidacy forms by nominated coaches
- February 17, 2026 – Outstanding Social Coaches Award ceremony in the presence of finalists, prize winners and their families, organizations, and key figures from the social action and sports worlds
Outstanding coaches are selected from various sports fields by a judging panel comprised of prominent figures from Israel’s competitive and social sports communities. Following the selection process, an awards ceremony is held to honor the recipients, with social sports community leaders in Israel invited to attend.
Additionally, a prize of 2,000 NIS will be awarded to the Promising Coach of the year and a recognition award will be presented to organizations that collaborate to strengthen their positive impact on society through their partnership.
Criteria and Regulations
Prize Categories:
- Special Populations Coaches working with people with disabilities and people with special needs of all kinds, creating accessible, empowering, and rehabilitative sports frameworks
- At-Risk Populations Coaches providing children, youth, and adults in situations of risk or trauma with a supportive, stable, and empowering framework through sports activities
- Women’s Empowerment Coaches promoting the participation of girls and women in sports, breaking gender barriers and enabling growth and equal opportunities.
- Cross-Sector Collaboration Coaches leading sports activities that actively bring together different communities (beyond mere membership in the same group) – Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, etc.
- Social Coach in a Competitive Team Coaches operating within competitive sports, combining sports excellence with educational, values-based, and community activities, proving that competitive sports can be a significant engine for social advancement
- Promising Coach of the Year Young coaches with up to three years of professional coaching experience who already demonstrate outstanding potential and social impact.
Eligibility Requirements for Nominees:
Recommendations will only be considered for candidates who meet all of the following requirements:
- Certified instructor or coach, age 16 or older
- Has not previously won this prize (past nominees are eligible to submit another candidacy)
- Operating within a registered nonprofit organization
Additionally, nominees must meet the following requirements according to the category to which they are submitted:
For Special Populations, At-Risk Populations, Women’s Empowerment, Cross-Sector Collaboration, and Promising Coach of the Year:
- At least 3 hours of weekly coaching in activities using sports as an educational-social tool
For Social Coach in a Competitive Team:
- Coach in a competitive framework (in a league or official competitions of a sports association or federation) for at least two consecutive seasons
- The coach integrates regular social initiatives within their sports activities (for example, community volunteering, enrichment lectures, collaboration with nonprofits), averaging at least one hour per week (beyond training/competitions), which began no later than 2023 and have continued consistently since then
Note: Four hours of monthly volunteering will count as an average of one hour per week. If the coach conducts social activities with multiple teams, all activities will be counted cumulatively.
Application for the 2025 Award
Registration for the Azrieli Award for
Outstanding Social Coaches 2025
Registeration will remain open until midnight, November 30, 2025
ההרשמה להגשת מועמדויות פתוחה עד ה-20.11.24
צוות השיפוט 2024
Jacob Gino
Director of the National School for Coaches and Instructors, Wingate Institute . Former basketball player and coach .
Eric Zeevi
Lecturer, Olympic medalist, founder and director of the Foundation for Olympic Excellence in Israel .
Jonathan Cohen
Football broadcaster and presenter on the Sports Channel . One of the founders of the Hapoel "Katmon" Jerusalem fan group .
Olaf Haider
Professional athlete and lover of challenges . Former player of the Israeli volleyball team . Founder and manager of Ulfa Adventure Tours in Teva .
Danny Hakim
Azrieli Foundation representative
Founder of the "Sport for Social Change" association and the SSI program , board member of the Azrieli Canada Foundation
Moran Samuel
Gold, silver, and bronze Paralympics medalist and a world champion rower
Karin Sendel
Former Captain of Israel's National Women's Team in football and head of the Israeli football players' organization.
ההרשמה להגשת מועמדויות פתוחה עד ה-20.11.24
The 2024 Award
2024 Winners
Soha Subah
Soccer, Peres Center for Peace and Innovation
For using soccer as a tool to promote shared living while empowering girls and women.
Photographer: Shauli Lander
Jonatan Sidalski
Cricket, Israel Cricket Association
For using cricket as a tool to promote, integrate, and empower at-risk populations.
Photographer: Shauli Lander
Hanan Abu-Kweider
Pilates and Power Training, Suwar Al-Mahabba
For her pioneering work in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among women in the Bedouin community.
Photographer: Shauli Lander
Hadas Hendler
Swimming and Cycling, Special Olympics Israel
For her pioneering work for people with disabilities by promoting cycling and swimming, while creating a personalized support system for each athlete.
Photographer: Shauli Lander
Dana Hadar
Marine Sports, Ziv Neurim Association
For her unique contribution to empowering at-risk youth and children with special needs through marine sports, fostering a sense of confidence and self-efficacy.
Photographer: Shauli Lander
Special Recognition for Inter-Organizational Collaboration
Awarded to the "Safe Field" program, a partnership between the organizations Homebase , Safe Heart, and Balance – Back on Track
The winning organizations jointly established soccer and footvolley teams in Tel Aviv and Herzliya designed for survivors of the Nova festival following the events of October 2023. The teams offer a safe and supportive environment for healing from trauma through sports, community, and personal support.
Photographer: Shauli Lander
2024 Judging Panel
Jacob Gino
Director of the National School for Coaches and Instructors, Wingate Institute. Former basketball player and coach.
Eric Zeevi
Lecturer, Olympic medalist, founder and director of the Foundation for Olympic Excellence in Israel.
Jonathan Cohen
Football broadcaster and presenter on the Sports Channel . One of the founders of the Hapoel "Katmon" Jerusalem fan group.
Olaf Haider
Professional athlete and lover of challenges. Former player of the Israeli volleyball team. Founder and manager of Ulfa Adventure Tours in Teva.
Danny Hakim
Azrieli Foundation representative
Founder of the "Sport for Social Change" association and the SSI program, board member of the Azrieli Canada Foundation.
Moran Samuel
Gold, silver, and bronze Paralympics medalist and a world champion rower.
Karin Sendel
Former Captain of Israel's National Women's Team in football and head of the Israeli football players' organization.
Sign up for news and updates
Contact Azrieli Foundation
- Azrieli Israel Foundation
- 132 Menachem Begin St. Azrieli Center, Round Tower, 32 floor ,TLV
- Phone: 03-5142000
- Email: info@azrieli.org
Azrieli Programs
- 2025All rights reserved
