Tennis star inspiring next generation at old school

Justice Hall from Ipswich has represented Great Britain at a junior level in tennis

A tennis player who has represented Great Britain has inspired the next generation of sport stars at her old primary school.

Justice Hall, 20, from Ipswich, first picked up a racquet at St Matthew's Primary School when former British number one Elena Baltacha and her husband Nino Severino visited for an introductory session.

The Elena Baltacha Foundation aims to give children from all backgrounds the opportunity to learn tennis and has helped Hall to achieve success in the sport.

Hall recently went back to St Matthew's with the foundation to introduce the pupils to the sport.

"[The foundation] introduced me to tennis and I loved the session," Hall explained of when she first met Baltacha and Severino when she was about six or seven.

"They saw talent in me and took me under their wing.

"Since then I've been in contact with Nino and the academy ever since and they've helped me so much throughout the years."

Elena Baltacha was the women's British tennis number one between 2002 and 2012

The foundation based in Ipswich was set up in 2014 by Baltacha and her husband to support the work she had already been doing for several years.

She passed away shortly afterwards at the age of 30 after being diagnosed with liver cancer.

Hall said she was grateful for the support of the foundation over the years.

"Throughout my life so far I've been able to use the skills from tennis and put that into my day to day like having a strong mentality, being able to deal with pressure," she added.

'She'll be so proud'

Nino Severino said the foundation was proud of Hall and the success she had achieved in tennis

Severino, 60, joined Hall at St Matthew's Primary during the foundation's recent visit.

He remains as a coach and chairman of the foundation, going into as many schools as he can.

"Sport is powerful, there's no language so everybody can get involved," he explained.

"We're driven by the legacy that Elena left us and we really try to respect that.

"Her energy and her legacy carries on today.

"I think if she's watching and she's looking down now, she'll be so proud of everyone.

"We're trying to have a big effect and everything is about opportunity.

"You give the opportunities to these young people and they embrace it, run with it, and then we have many unbelievable stories that we're proud of."

'Great opportunity'

Penny Moor worked with Billie Jean King to set up the the Women's Tennis Association

Penny Moor, 73, is a founding member of the Women's Tennis Association which helps sponsor the foundation.

She said Severino was "very inspiring".

"Nino has done an amazing job and continues to do so," she said.

"I feel privileged to be on board to help the kids, that's the aim.

"I noticed on a few clinics that we've done that [children's] knowledge of tennis is pretty low.

"Some didn't even know Wimbledon so it's getting out there in these areas to expose the game that can give a great opportunity in life."

'It's amazing'

Ben Andrews said the St Matthew's Primary School children had been left inspired by Hall's tennis success

Ben Andrews is the sports coach at the primary school and used to teach Hall.

He said the foundation was a great way of helping children of all backgrounds get into tennis.

"We're in an area of economic deprivation in the middle of Ipswich," he explained.

"We have a very diverse group of children and just getting opportunities like this from Nino, who is very well known in the area with his foundation, is massive and hopefully one of these guys might get into tennis.

"It's amazing... you never know what sort of child might pick it up."

'A lot of potential'

Hall said she had been able to visit many places thanks to Tennis

Asked how it felt to be back in her old school Hall said it was "surreal".

"It's amazing how the academy has been able to come to the school and provide tennis here instead of kids having to go into clubs where it's a lot harder and expensive for them to do that.

"Maybe if they want to do it in the future then they have that opportunity from the academy.

"I can definitely see a lot of potential in the kids."