Judy Murray seeing 'many more' overweight children in Scotland's schools
The tennis coach says parents should do more to encourage their kids to stay active
Last updated 25th Jul 2017
Judy Murray says she's seeing "many more" children who are uncoordinated and overweight in Scotland's schools.
She spoke to Clyde News three years on from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, to discuss the sporting legacy left by the mega event.
Annual health statistics have shown little change in participation levels among young people in Scotland since 2014.
Tennis coach Judy said: "My feeling is in general that we need to get more of our population active.
"In my travels with my Tennis on the Road program, I'm going into a lot of schools and I'm seeing many more children who are uncoordinated and overweight, simply because they don't do enough physical activity.
"The things that are trendy for kids to play with have for some time been things where you sit down, watch a screen and the only things that get exercised are your two thumbs.
"More physical activity in schools is great but it has to start with the parents. Encourage them to get the kids moving and doing things with them.
"Beyond kids trying sport in school, there has to be a link to local facilities. It needs to be on your doorstep, otherwise kids find something else to do, something else that's easier."
Judy believes staying active is absolutely crucial for the younger population.
"It's so important. It's linked to the future health of our nation. I think if we invested a lot more in getting people active and keeping them active - particularly from a young age, because if you learn to enjoy exercise at that stage then it stays with you for life - then I believe we'd become a healthier, fitter nation."
Despite the popularity of tennis, Judy said it was sad to see the sport miss out on the 2014 event in Glasgow.
She added: "I think for me, it was a disappointed that there wasn't tennis in the Commonwealth Games because obviously that would've allowed Andy, Jamie, and probably Jamie Baker, to be able to play in that - and obviously for the Scottish public to get behind them.
"It would have been a massive opportunity. It also would've given Scotland a world-class international competition venue which it very, very badly needs.
"We don't have any major events up here - partly because of the weather and partly because we don't have the venue - but there's clearly a desire for that now."