ELENA BALTACHA FOUNDATION, CELEBRATING 2025. A YEAR OF PURPOSE, OPPORTUNITY AND IMPACT

The Elena Baltacha Foundation closes 2025 with a deep sense of pride, gratitude, and optimism. This has been a year defined not only by programmes delivered or events hosted, but by lives positively influenced through the power of sport, education, and opportunity.

From school tennis courts to professional sporting stages, from classrooms to award ceremonies, the Foundation’s work in 2025 has continued to honour Elena Baltacha’s legacy by widening access, nurturing potential, and empowering young people to believe in what is possible.

2025 was the year that captured both the spirit and ambition of the Foundation: the announcement of Marion Bartoli as Patron of the Elena Baltacha Foundation.

A Patron Who Embodies the Foundation’s Values

The appointment of Marion Bartoli, former Wimbledon Champion and respected voice within the global tennis community, was a landmark moment for the Foundation in 2025. Marion’s journey, defined by resilience, individuality and courage, mirrors so many of the values the Foundation champions.

Her support and advocacy have brought renewed energy and visibility to the Foundation’s mission, inspiring young people, educators and partners alike. More than a title, Marion’s patronage represents belief: belief in opportunity, belief in inclusion, and belief that sport can be a powerful force for change.

Inspiring the Next Generation Through the Schools Tennis Programme

At the heart of the Foundation’s work in 2025 has been its Schools Programme, which continues to introduce children from diverse backgrounds to tennis in an inclusive, engaging and supportive way.

Across the year, the programme reached schools and communities where access to tennis has traditionally been limited. By bringing the sport directly into school environments, the Foundation removed barriers and replaced them with opportunity.

Children benefited not only from learning tennis skills but also from developing confidence, teamwork, communication and enjoyment of physical activity. For many, this was their first meaningful experience of the sport—an experience shaped by encouragement, positivity and a sense of belonging.

Teachers and schools reported increased engagement, improved confidence among pupils and a renewed enthusiasm for physical education. The programme demonstrated once again that tennis can be a gateway to wider personal development when delivered with care and purpose.

In 2025, the Elena Baltacha Foundation was delighted to welcome Gareth Richman and Val Turner as tennis coaches, strengthening the Foundation’s delivery across its schools and community programmes. Both bring a wealth of experience, technical knowledge and an infectious enthusiasm for coaching that has had an immediate and positive impact. 

Gareth and Val share a genuine passion for developing young players in inclusive, supportive environments where confidence and enjoyment come first. In line with the Foundation’s commitment to excellence, they also contribute to the professional development of coaching and delivery staff, ensuring their expertise and approach have a wider effect across all programmes, amplifying impact and reinforcing the values at the heart of Elena’s legacy.

Sport Skills 4 Business: Developing the Athlete-Student

2025 also marked another impactful year for the Sport Skills 4 Business (SS4B) Athlete Student Development Programme, a cornerstone of the Foundation’s commitment to supporting young people beyond the court.

SS4B continues to bridge the gap between sport, education and future careers by helping young athletes recognise and articulate the transferable skills they develop through sport. Throughout 2025, participants engaged in learning that connected discipline, resilience, communication and leadership with real-world applications.

The programme empowered athlete-students to see themselves not only as performers but also as individuals with valuable skills applicable across education, employment and life. This dual-focus approach helped reduce pressure, broaden horizons and build confidence in personal identity beyond sporting results.

Parents and educators consistently highlighted the value of SS4B in supporting balance, perspective and long-term thinking—qualities increasingly vital in today’s fast-paced and competitive environments.

Celebrating Inclusion: WTA and Morgan Stanley ‘Come Play’ Event

One of the standout moments of 2025 was the Foundation’s involvement in the WTA and Morgan Stanley ‘Come Play’ event.

This initiative showcased the unifying power of tennis, celebrating inclusion, accessibility and joy in participation. The event created a welcoming space for young people to experience tennis in a positive, inspiring environment—reinforcing the Foundation’s belief that sport should be open to all. 

The ‘Come Play’ event highlighted the importance of partnerships in amplifying impact. Working alongside global organisations and like-minded stakeholders allowed the Foundation to extend its reach while staying true to its community-focused mission.

For participants, the event was about more than playing tennis; it was about feeling seen, supported and encouraged.

In 2025, the WTA continued its invaluable support of the Elena Baltacha Foundation, helping to create unforgettable events and experiences for young athletes and their families. Through their partnership, the Foundation was able to offer exclusive opportunities, including ticket allocations to Wimbledon 2025, giving participants a firsthand experience of elite tennis at its very best. 

In 2025, the WTA continued its invaluable support of the Elena Baltacha Foundation, helping to create unforgettable events and experiences for young athletes and their families. Through their partnership, the Foundation was able to offer exclusive opportunities, including ticket allocations to Wimbledon 2025, giving participants a firsthand experience of elite tennis at its very best. 

Recognising Achievement: Awards Ceremony at Ipswich Town Football Club

Recognition and celebration were key themes in 2025, exemplified by the Awards Ceremony held at Ipswich Town Football Club.

This event brought together young people, families, educators and partners to celebrate effort, growth and achievement across the Foundation’s programmes. Hosting the ceremony at such an iconic sporting venue reinforced the message that every participant’s journey matters.

Award recipients were recognised not only for performance but also for commitment, attitude and personal development. The ceremony served as a powerful reminder that success takes many forms and that character, perseverance and progress deserve celebration.

For many young people, the experience was affirming and motivating, strengthening belief in themselves and their potential.

Wider Community Impact Throughout 2025

Beyond headline programmes and events, the Elena Baltacha Foundation continued to make a meaningful difference at the community level throughout 2025.

Through partnerships with schools, sporting organisations and local communities, the Foundation promoted inclusion, wellbeing and opportunity. Its work consistently prioritised those who may otherwise be overlooked, ensuring that access to sport and development support was not determined by background or circumstance.

The Foundation’s presence within communities fostered connection, trust and continuity, creating environments where young people felt safe to learn, grow and aspire.

Volunteers, coaches and educators played a vital role in this impact, bringing the Foundation’s values to life through everyday interactions and shared commitment.

Honouring Elena’s Legacy

Every achievement in 2025 is rooted in the enduring legacy of Elena Baltacha.

Her belief in equality, opportunity and the transformative power of sport continues to guide the Foundation’s work. The programmes delivered this year reflect Elena’s passion for helping young people find confidence, purpose and joy through participation.

By focusing on both sport and life skills, the Foundation ensures that Elena’s legacy is not only remembered but actively lived through every child inspired, every athlete supported and every opportunity created.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

As 2025 draws to a close, the Elena Baltacha Foundation looks to the future with confidence and clarity.

The successes of this year across the Schools Programme, Sport Skills 4 Business, community initiatives and landmark events demonstrate what is possible when values-led vision meets collaborative action.

With the continued support of patrons, partners, schools, families and young people themselves, the Foundation remains committed to expanding opportunity, championing inclusion and empowering the next generation.

In 2025, the Elena Baltacha Foundation was proud to collaborate with Perspectum, the Global Liver Institute, and The Liver Foundation, strengthening our commitment to education, prevention and long-term health through sport. This collaboration reflected a shared belief that early awareness and informed lifestyle choices can play a powerful role in lifelong wellbeing.

By connecting young people, families and educators with trusted expertise in liver health, the partnership helped raise awareness of how physical activity, nutrition and positive habits support not only performance but overall health. The Foundation’s platforms provided an accessible space for meaningful conversations around prevention, early intervention and the importance of health literacy from a young age.

This work extended the Foundation’s impact beyond sport alone, reinforcing the message that athlete development and health education go hand in hand. Through collaboration, knowledge-sharing and aligned values, this partnership demonstrated how sport can act as a gateway to better health outcomes across communities.

Incredible gratitude is sent out to the whole Elena Baltacha Foundation, Patron, Marion Bartoli, Trustees (Vice Chairman) Ben Haining, Dr Saima Ajaz, Penny Moor, Duncan Foster, Jonathan Ferrar, Kari Chaudhry, Praf Vagh, Graham Dove, Steve Harding, Steve Brown. (Finance Director) Victoria Solomon. Coaches, (SS4B Programme Director) Jamie Lewis (SS4B Mentor and Lecturer) Wez Pooley, (Tennis Coaches) Gareth Richman, Val Turner. (Project and Fund Application Lead) Haydon Taylor, (Technology Advisor) Sam Turner, (Safeguarding Lead) Shanade Laing, (Athlete Support) Jay Collette.

2025 has been a year of celebration. The impact achieved will continue to be felt for years to come, and the journey, inspired by Elena’s legacy, continues with purpose and pride.