THEY'RE on the ball at Totton College, and sport is the name of the game.

The college is celebrating the success of its new sports academy with an official opening ceremony attended by top local athletes - including basketball supremo Alan Cunningham of Solent Stars.

Totton's fledgling sports academy came into existence in September 1998 with a promise to produce national sporting superstars of the future.

Just two years later the academy is already fulfilling its promise - with at least two Olympic hopefuls and a varied squad of regional and national team members training in the college gym.

Former Totton student Pete Fields, 19, is already being named as potential successor to the golden crown of England's Olympic rower Steve Redgrave. He now trains with him on the Thames.

Totton A-level student Tom Barnett, 16, from Lymington is in line for the 2004 Olympic sailing squad - with his prowess in 29-er dinghys.

Totton's female swimming team have made it to the national finals of the Bazuka Swimming Championships for the second year, hoping to hold their title.

Rugby, hockey and gymnastics stars have also emerged at Totton in the last 18 months.

Academy head Kevin Cleary said: "We held back the official opening until we were sure it was going to work. Now we are sure. We have produced some top quality athletes and we want everybody to take notice."

The academy has linked up with local groups like Hampshire Football Association and Tottonians Rugby Club to find national-standard trainers.

They also offer a fitness programme and sports science package which is adaptable to any sport.

Training is on offer in five key sports - football, swimming, basketball rugby and golf - with plans to expand as soon as new coaches offer their services.

But Kevin said the key to the academy's success is its flexibility. Students can mix and match sports lessons with an academic programme.

"Students in the past had to make a choice between sport and academic study and that was not fair. We make sure they can achieve success in both areas," he said.

Alan Cunningham - who performed the academy's official opening - said flexibility in education was essential if athletes were to reach the top.

"When I was in college in the USA I was able to do every sport I wanted - except American Football. My basketball coach wouldn't allow football because he didn't want me getting hurt!" said Alan.

"Support and training is essential if athletes are to get to the top. I hope to keep up an association with the academy in the future," he said.

Totton College principal Mark Bramwell said: "The success of the academy is not just down to the college. We can't make a go of this on our own and we don't want to."

For more information ring Kevin Cleary on 023 8087 4874.