Program Design & Strategy
A London-based donor passionate about tennis
Since:
2024
Size:
Approach:
Program design & grant-making
Foundation:
A London-based donor partnered with Pramiti and RBTDF to design a pioneering program giving underprivileged children from India's remote North-eastern states access to professional tennis training, academics, and holistic care.
Rohan Bopanna Tennis Development Foundation (RBTDF)
How they started?
Strong desire to support underprivileged children with talent & potential in tennis but lacked clarity on structure and delivery model.
High per-child cost (training, academics, boarding, nutrition, travel) which required careful program design for sustainability.
Selection of right talent required robust criteria beyond athletic ability. Commitment and socio-economic context were equally important.
Very young children (as young as 8) relocating which required parental buy-in and strong guardianship systems.
Our engagement with the family
Identified and onboarded the right NGO partners for grassroots outreach and talent shortlisting.
Co-developed selection criteria covering athletic ability, socio-economic background, and commitment.
Supported program design and drafting of the program brief.
Facilitated coordination between outreach NGOs and RBTDF.
Structured donor funding and established close monitoring to ensure long-term program success.
Enabled a multi-layered delivery pathway: Talent Identification & Selection (partnering with grassroots NGOs), Holistic Program Design (coaching, academics, boarding, nutrition, psychosocial support), and Program Strengthening (adapting to emerging needs like mental health, education gaps, and adolescent care).
What have they achieved?
Talent unearthed: 25 promising young players from the North-East identified in the first year; 10 more from J&K added in the second year.
End-to-end program established covering coaching, academics, boarding, nutrition, and psychosocial support with access to world-class facilities and international coaches.
35+ underprivileged children now pursuing tennis alongside education in Bangalore, with zero dropouts in two years.
Close monitoring identified and addressed emerging needs such as mental health, learning gaps, and adolescent care, ensuring children thrive after relocation.
Prime Minister of India recognized the program in 2025.
Children seen as role models by peers and coaches, with potential to represent India internationally.