My name is Stanojka Bašić, I was born to Serb parents, both from Hercegovina.
I was born in Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia and spent my first eight years living in Dubrovnik,
surrounded by family. After my first year of schooling, I moved with my mum and brother
to the United Kingdom, my father had joined his younger brother in Bradford two years previously.
I completed my schooling and studied Computing Maths. My career includes networking, support,
and software testing roles. My last position was as a Software Test Manager. As I worked on
mostly short-term projects, I have amassed over 30 years’ experience in 20 different companies,
including software houses. Like most children who are moved from their motherland at an early
age, I always loved Yugoslavia and it was always my destiny to return here. Between 2007 and
2014 I had the chance to live in Serbia, as Yugoslavia no longer existed, and I was the owner/
director of a tennis club in Belgrade, Tennis Club Trim. I ran the club for over 4 years, and
it was here that I realized where my passion lay, in working with children. Giving children the
chance to participate in sport, no matter their background, ability or the financial standing
of their parents. We did our best to discount our club prices to enable all children to
participate.
With this in mind, and looking at what Novak Djokovic has accomplished with his own Foundation,
the idea was born. To create a Foundation that will enable children to have access not only to
sport, but also music, the arts, well the possibilities are endless. I have decided to dedicate
the rest of my years to making the foundation a reality. Obviously, I will not do this alone,
I will employ people of similar values and we will do this together, as a team. We will also
work with other foundations and support each other, in particular smaller foundations.
This is not a small mission, but I believe I have the contacts, energy, and perseverance to
succeed. I have spoken to many people in the country and the response has been phenomenal,
“How can we help?” In order to make this a reality, I have decided to focus on Former Yugoslavia
and Greece, a country where I spend a lot of time, the Greek people, historically, have always
supported us, and we are brother Nations.
In loving memory of Bogdan Bašić, Stana Bašić, and Marija Papić.
