MARK Scott has been axed as coach of Solent Stars Basketball Club after four seasons in the post.

His departure comes amid sweeping changes at the club geared towards promoting basketball across the whole of the Solent region and recapturing their hey-day of the 1980s.

The club will be expanding to two men's and two women's senior teams running alongside a nine-team strong youth programme.

It will be one of the largest and most adventurous set-ups in the country, ensuring there will be top-class action every weekend next season at several venues in the area.

The board of directors has been strengthened by the addition of Cheryl Heron, an ex-National League player with Sheffield and Solent, who is headteacher at the Bridgemary School in Gosport.

Bev Guymon, wife of former Stars ace Jimmie, has been appointed coaching co-ordinatior and it will be her job to build on the schools' programme and various camps already in place.

Stars' chief executive Bob Paulley said: "From time to time you have to remind people in the sport that the club played top flight basketball and was very successful.

"Based on the playing results for the last two seasons and the lack of talented locals, I intend to ask direct questions and ring the changes."

The quietly-spoken Scott had a tough job on his hands when he took over from the charismatic Alan Cunningham in the summer of 2000 and ultimately results and lack of silverware have gone against the former England man.

Solent director Jim Rumsey explained: "Mark has been a committed coach for the last four seasons and has received the personal backing of Bob Paulley and myself.

"But in the league he has a 30-53 win/loss record with Solent only once qualifying for the end of season play-offs."

Paulley and his coaching team are already trawling the area for potential signings for next season and three Spaniards are flying in for three days this week so that Solent can assess their ability in specially arranged local matches.

Off court, the club are already making giant strides with their administration, coaching and playing records being recognised with two awards from England Basketball.

Not only are Solent one of the first clubs in the country to be granted four-star status under the Club Development Programme Scheme, but they have also received the special Clubmark Award in recognition of their successful coaching programme.

Another off-court development involves setting up a charitable trust to fund coaching for children in Solent's franchise area.

Ultimately, the goal is to establish a basketball academy.

Solent Stars are holding trials this month at Hamble Community Sports College.

The dates are - Sunday, June 20 (girls' trials - under-14s at 12 noon, under-16s at 2pm, under-18s at 4pm), Saturday, June 26th (senior women's trials at 12 noon, senior men's trials at 3pm), Sunday, June 27 (boys' trials - under-12s at 12 noon, under-13s at 1pm, under-14s at 2pm, under-15s at 3pm, under-16s at 4pm, under-18s at 5pm). Trials are £2.50 per player.