The Azrieli Foundation Prize for Outstanding Social Coaches 2023
The Azrieli Foundation celebrated, on February 20, 2024, the inaugural award ceremony of the Azrieli Foundation Prize for Outstanding Social Coaches for 2023. This unique prize aims to advance sports as a social tool, recognizing the role of sports and physical activity in enhancing mental resilience, fostering equal opportunities, and strengthening Israeli society. Cash prizes were awarded to five outstanding winners out of dozens of candidates from 17 different sports fields at the event.
The judging panel consists of key figures from the Israeli sports community and top-performing athletes across various sports:
- Arik Ze’evi – Former judoka, Olympic medalist, and Founder of the Israeli Foundation for Olympic Excellence.
- Karin Sendel – Former Captain of Israel’s National Women’s Team and head of the Israeli football players’ organization.
- Moran Samuel – Israeli Paralympic athlete, silver and bronze medalist, World Champion in rowing.
- Bracha “Beatie” Deutsch – Israeli marathon and half marathon champion
- Danny Hakim – Founder of Sports for Social Change and Director of Azrieli Foundation Canada.
- Sabine Hojirat – Director of Planning and Strategy and gender researcher.
- Amir Menachem – Founder and CEO of Five Fingers Movement.
Member of Knesset Simon Davidson, Chairman of the Knesset’s Sports Committee, delivered a greeting.
Danna Azrieli, Chairman of the Azrieli Foundation Israel and the Azrieli Group:
“I am thrilled to be present at the first Azrieli Foundation Award Ceremony for Outstanding Social Coaches, as part of our “Sports for Social Impact” program. This award reflects our belief in the power of sports to promote positive social change in Israel. Especially in these challenging times, it is important to recognize and thank the dedicated NGOs and coaches who work tirelessly, supporting and assisting affected communities, to bolster resilience and strengthen society”.
2023 Azrieli Foundation Prize for Outstanding Social Coaches winners:
- In the Cross-Sector Collaboration Category: Dekel Noy won for her exceptional activities promoting shared living in Israeli society through Judo.
- In the Children and Youth at Risk Category: Amir Sorsky from ”HaGal Sheli- Catching the Wave of Life” association won for his significant contribution to strengthening mental resilience and empowerment among children and youth at risk through surfing.
- In the Female Empowerment Category: Revital Ben Moshe from the “Haredim Laketzev” association won for her groundbreaking work in promoting gender equality and empowering women in the Haredi community through sports.
- In the Special Populations Category: Ella Matzkin from the “ILAN” Israel Parasport Center won for her dedication to promoting sports among people with disabilities through archery.
- In the Promising Coach of the Year category: Ania Povnitsa from the “Bartali Youth in Movement” association won for her contribution to promoting at-risk youth through cycling.
- A special recognition award was given for the “Community Shield” program, a collaboration between the following associations: “Hachaluz”, “Israeli Association of Community Centers”, and the “Hapoel Center”.
