A new branch of the School for Coaches and Instructors of the Wingate Institute - Israel's National Institute for Excellence in Sports - opened at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa during a ceremony held on Monday, attended by Mayor Yona Yahav and other senior officials. Established for the Haifa Municipality and the Wingate Institute by the Yefe Nof company, the branch will begin operating in the coming days, allowing residents of Haifa and the north to participate in a variety of professional training and certification tracks.
Advanced facilities and diverse study tracks
The branch was established on the fifth floor of the stadium, spanning an area of approximately 500 square meters. It features state-of-the-art classrooms, training studios, and a fully equipped gym. This move is designed to bring the training programs of Wingate Institute's School for Coaches and Instructors into the heart of the northern metropolis for the first time, leveraging the infrastructure of one of Israel's premier sports facilities.
Activities will take place throughout the week and will include certification courses for coaches and instructors under the auspices of the Sports Authority, alongside studies in movement and healthy lifestyle disciplines, including yoga, Pilates, and hip-hop. In addition, training in sports therapy and complementary medicine will be offered - such as sports therapy, medical massage, and reflexology - as well as nutrition studies, professional enrichment courses, and programs to develop the next generation of executives across various sports sectors.
The opening of the branch aims to expand access to professional training in the field of sports for northern residents and to connect the knowledge and expertise of the Wingate Institute with the existing infrastructure at Sammy Ofer Stadium. The institute's School for Coaches and Instructors serves as a cornerstone in developing the future generation of competitive sports in Israel, and it will now be able to offer its study tracks in Haifa as well.
Expanding sports leadership and regional impact
At the same time, this represents another milestone in expanding the uses of Sammy Ofer Stadium, which primarily hosts matches and sports events. With the opening of the new branch, the facility will also serve to train coaches, instructors, and sports professionals. The activity is expected to contribute to urban development, employment, and regional growth, while reinforcing Haifa's position as the metropolitan center of the north.
The opening ceremony was held in the presence of Wingate Institute Chairman Ari Steinberg, Wingate CEO Guy Atias, Stadium Chairman Zvika Barbi, Stadium CEO Lior Perry, Yefe Nof Chairman Dr. Assaf Gastfreund, and Yefe Nof CEO Shiran Peso, CPA.
A shared vision for the future of northern sports
Mayor of Haifa, Yona Yahav, said: "Haifa is a city of sports, and we are working to turn it into a city that nurtures and trains the future generation of Israeli sports as well. Opening the Wingate Institute branch at Sammy Ofer Stadium is a significant step toward fulfilling this vision. From now on, young men and women from Haifa and the entire northern region will be able to acquire top-tier professional training right here, close to home, allowing them to develop and turn their love for sports into a career and a way of life. I believe that some of Israel's finest coaches and instructors will emerge from the classrooms and training facilities we are inaugurating here. For us, investing in sports is an investment in education, health, employment, and the future of the city's youth. We will continue to develop Haifa as a national center for sporting excellence, offering new opportunities to all its residents."
Sammy Ofer Stadium CEO, Lior Perry: "Opening the Wingate Institute branch at Sammy Ofer Stadium is a major step in expanding the stadium's operations and transforming it into a year-round center for sports, training, and excellence. We are proud to host a leading institution like the Wingate Institute and to create an opportunity for the residents of Haifa and the north to gain knowledge, specialize, and grow in various sports disciplines. Combining the stadium's advanced infrastructure with the Wingate Institute's expertise will enable us to broaden the stadium's contribution to the city and the region, solidifying its position as a vital hub for advancing the future generation of Israeli sports."