As Chairman of Tilder, Matthias Leridon presented the first Tilder Engagement Award to Jiske Griffioen, recognizing her civic commitment at one of the world’s leading wheelchair tennis tournaments.
For more than 18 years, the Toyota Open International of Île de Ré, organized by the association Ré Handi Tennis with the support of the French Handisport Federation and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), has been established as a major global event in wheelchair tennis. Each year, more than 80 players from over 20 countries compete, making this ITF 2 tournament the third most important in France after Roland Garros and the French Open.
Since 2021, Tilder has partnered with the tournament and in 2025 awarded, for the first time, the Tilder Engagement Award, designed to honor an athlete for their personal commitment to society. The award, endowed with €1,500, was presented by Matthias Leridon.
The jury – composed of Yann Maître, Tournament Director; Diane de Navacelle de Coubertin, great-great-niece of Pierre de Coubertin and Chair of the Education, Culture and Heritage Commission of the International School Sport Federation; Florence Kavita, CEO of the Foundation for Inclusion through Sport and representative of Groupe SOS; and Matthias Leridon, Chairman of Tilder – selected Jiske Griffioen, praised for her civic commitment.
Beyond her sporting achievements, Jiske Griffioen has long contributed to the development and promotion of inclusive sport: she coached young players now competing on the ITF Tour, took part in solidarity projects such as the Silver Fund in East Africa, leading clinics in Kenya and Tanzania, and enhanced the visibility of wheelchair tennis as a commentator on Dutch national sports television. She also serves as an ambassador for the Foundation for Disabled Sports.
A powerful moment that reflects the first core value of Tilder’s teams: commitment.