The IC 16-and-under IC Junior Challenge began in 2005 and was made possible by generous donations from The Compass Group, from its inception until 2018. In that year, we were honoured that tennis icon, and longstanding IC member, Rod Laver agreed to endorse the event by adding his name to its title - and it has since been known as "The IC Rod Laver Junior Challenge".

We are very grateful to The Compass Group for their commitment over the years. Whilst their support came to an end in 2018, we were fortunate to have found two new sources of support, in order to guarantee the event's continuation.

The event is a competition open to all ICs around the world (over 40 countries). A regional competition is played on each of the five continents and the winners of the regional events go through to play the Worldwide Finals the following year, together with a team fielded by the host country.

Each team comprises two girls and two boys, with an adult as captain. All juniors play both a singles and doubles match against every other country team, with all matches counting towards the overall team result.

Both the regional competitions and Worldwide Finals offer players a full and rewarding itinerary, not just their matches but also cultural activities and tennis clinics for children from underprivileged backgrounds. The event offers them a chance to meet players of a similar age from all over the world - in a way that embodies the IC motto: "Hands across the net, friendship across the ocean."

For more information, please contact Felipe Bunster at the IC Council.

  The Story of the IC Junior Challenge