Free Basketball and Leadership Program Gives Greek Youth a Summer of Opportunity
Athens, June 24, 2026, | The Hellenic Initiative announces the third edition of the THI Summer Youth Academy, a free summer program for underprivileged children aged 10-17 in Athens. Running between July 6 and 31, at Leonteios School, the Academy will bring together more than 100 young participants for a month-long experience that goes well beyond the basketball court.
Each day, participants take part in structured basketball training alongside workshops focused on leadership, teamwork, and personal development. The program is designed to give children from difficult socioeconomic backgrounds access to qualified coaches, mentors, and role models – resources that are often out of reach. No prior basketball experience is required, and participation is entirely free of charge. The Academy runs in two two-week sessions, Monday through Friday from 09:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Nikos Stathopoulos, THI Board Member and Chairman of the THI Summer Youth Academy, said: “Two years in, we have seen first-hand what this program does for the children. It builds confidence, it creates friendships, and it opens doors. We are proud to bring it back for a third year and to keep deepening its impact across the Greek society.”
The 2026 edition of the program is made possible through the support of The Hellenic Initiative, Novibet, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, AVIN, and Piraeus Bank. Their collective commitment ensures that the Academy remains fully free to participants and continues to grow in reach and quality.
George P. Stamas, THI Co-Founder and Board President, said: “The most telling measure of this program’s impact is how eagerly children return. Year after year, the Academy is proving that when you invest in Greece’s youth with genuine care and quality programming, the results speak for themselves. We are grateful to every sponsor and partner who makes this possible.”
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