Elena Baltacha Foundation promotes healthy living among schoolchildren

Youngsters up and down the country learnt about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle thanks to a fun and entertaining national roadshow led by Elena Baltacha Foundation chairman Nino Severino and sports scientist Lindsay Farish-Carradice, writes Marc Beyeler.

It was fantastic to see both Nino and Lindsay educate children in several primary schools in issues such as eating well and exercising regularly through a number of activities and physical challenges.

Nino said: "It's very important to me that I continue the work Bally and I began while we were on the WTA world tour.

"Bally was extremely involved in the girls' well-being, fitness and tennis, and also always wanted us to focus on lifestyle subjects and issues."

Both Nino and Lindsay toured across the country, from Yorkshire to London, with a focus was on combining physical fitness work with nutritional messaging.

Lindsay added: "It's fantastic being part of the Foundation team and having the opportunity to carry out some really valuable work with the many young children we've been seeing up and down the country. I particularly like leading the fitness sessions."

The Foundation now has an official relationship with the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) who have generously funded the Foundation to continue Bally's legacy.

This funding will support the work we do with young children in schools, in particular addressing issues such as fitness, nutrition, lifestyle and well-being, and dealing with the negative impact of social media. All of these areas are of high priority to the philanthropist arm of the WTA.

Visiting the schools provided the Foundation with a great opportunity to implement some of the very important messages  that Kathy Martin, Senior Director Athlete Assistance at the WTA, presented to the Foundation's female players during her trip to our Ipswich base during the summer grass court season.

Everyone at the Foundation is committed to doing their bit in the fight against child obesity, mental illness, and negative lifestyle choices. We will continue to deliver roadshows to the many schools in the Foundation network, and look forward to seeing thousands of school pupils every year.