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.
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.
The registration for submitting nominations for the 2025 prize has ended
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
The 2025 judging team
Peter Paltchik
Two-time Olympic Medalist, Paltchik Foundation Chairman
Ofir Haim
Head Coach - U19&U20 Men’s national team - Israeli Football Association. Leading the team to a runner-up finish in the UEFA European Championship and to third place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup; formerly a professional football player.
Danny Hakim
Representative of the Azrieli Foundation
Founder of the SSI program, board member of the Azrieli Foundation Canada, and Honorary President of the Paralympic Committee
D r. Tamir Erez
Faculty member, lecturer, and researcher at Ono Academic College in the fields of education and sport. Lecturer in non-formal education. Consultant to sports organizations on issues related to society and community.
Yarden Har Lev
VP of Education, Olympic Solidarity and International Relations
Tomer Margalit and Orel Chalaf
World Champions in Paralympic Dance, European Champions and World Cup Holders
Loris Afara Farcas
Karate athlete, Israeli champion and European Championship bronze medalist, Athena ambassador
ההרשמה להגשת מועמדויות פתוחה עד ה-20.11.24
The 2025 Prize
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2025 Winners
Moshe Yazdi
Football, The Jewish-Arab Center for Peace at Givat Haviva
For his long-standing work in promoting a shared society using footba as a bridge between sectors and communities in Israeli society
Photo: Oded Karni, Video: Yossi Ergil
Amiram Gottfried
Sailing, Kayaks and rope course, “Etgarim”
For his extensive work connecting physical activity with nature and the sea as tools for at-risk populations
Photo: Oded Karni, Video: Yossi Ergil
Omri Pedhatzur
Running, Gamani Ratzah
For establishing and leading the “Gamani Ratzah” initiative, a supportive and empowering community framework for women coping with and recovering from cancer
Photo: Oded Karni, Video: Yossi Ergil
Yarden Meyerson
Paralympic Judo, Para Fighters Judo
For establishing and leading a Judo group for children with special needs and the only Paralympic group of its kind for blind and visually impaired children.
Photo: Oded Karni, Video: Yossi Ergil
Anan Jargoura
Volleyball, The Girls of Maccabi Nazareth Volleyball Club
For establishing a volleyball club and community in the city of Nazareth, and for long-term groundbreaking work in nurturing Arab girls and women through sport, while integrating social values within a competitive and achievement-oriented framework
Photo: Oded Karni, Video: Yossi Ergil
Raz Ziserman
Marine Sports, Home by the Sea
For exceptional work using the marine environment as an educational, social, and therapeutic tool, and for the ability to create meaningful connections with participants, especially during moments of crisis and challenge in their lives
Photo: Oded Karni, Video: Yossi Ergil
Special Recognition for Inter-Organizational Collaboration
Awarded to Tennis for the Ultra-Orthodox Sector, a partnership between the Israel Tennis & Education Centers and the “Gol Al Hashem” Association
The program provides equal opportunities for children from the ultra-Orthodox community and exposes them to the sport of tennis, which is otherwise inaccessible to them, while incorporating values from the world of Torah. The program promotes a healthy and active lifestyle while maintaining the children’s ultra-Orthodox way of life
Photo: Oded Karni
2025 Judging Panel
Peter Paltchik
Two-time Olympic Medalist, Paltchik Foundation Chairman
Ofir Haim
Head Coach - U19&U20 Men’s national team - Israeli Football Association. Leading the team to a runner-up finish in the UEFA European Championship and to third place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup; formerly a professional football player.
Danny Hakim
Representative of the Azrieli Foundation
Founder of the SSI program, board member of the Azrieli Foundation Canada, and Honorary President of the Paralympic Committee
D r. Tamir Erez
Faculty member, lecturer, and researcher at Ono Academic College in the fields of education and sport. Lecturer in non-formal education. Consultant to sports organizations on issues related to society and community
Yarden Har Lev
VP of Education, Olympic Solidarity and International Relations
Tomer Margalit and Orel Chalaf
World Champions in Paralympic Dance, European Champions and World Cup Holders
Loris Afara Farcas
Karate athlete, Israeli champion and European Championship bronze medalist, Athena ambassador
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- Azrieli Israel Foundation
- 132 Menachem Begin St. Azrieli Center, Round Tower, 32 floor ,TLV
- Phone: 03-5142000
- Email: info@azrieli.org
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