TOTALLY Tennis' Indoor Centre will again play host to the British Colleges regional annual tennis competition in January 2006.

The event, which is designed for the top players in the region and attracts college teams from throughout the South East, is part of Totally Tennis' ongoing support for junior tennis development in the area.

Students from Queen Mary's College, under the watchful eye of PE teacher Sarah Goldson, train twice a week at the centre using the excellent facilities.

Students, many of whom are Totally Tennis players, compete in the Hampshire & Oxfordshire Senior Students League in the Men's, Ladies' and Mixed events.

The college is hoping to repeat last year's success when students secured victory in the British Schools Team Competition.

Both the boys and mixed teams won their events in the county stage of the competition.

Increased sponsorship from Nestle will mean that the 2005/06 competitions will see the boys' and girls' events join the mixed events at national level.

Teams of four compete in round-robin matches in the autumn and spring terms.

In the boys' and girls' leagues, matches consist of four singles and two doubles, with each pair playing two rubbers of one set each. In the mixed event, both pairs play two doubles matches.

The British Schools Tennis Association (BSTA) was established in association with the Lawn Tennis Association to give children of all ages, right through to college, the opportunity to play competitive tennis in their local area.

The mixed event for senior students was only introduced two years ago and has proved a popular addition to the BSTA competitions. Last year, 70 teams entered from all over the country.

Goldson said: "I am hoping to continue the success of last season and have some great new players in my teams to replace those who have gone on to university."

The QMC tennis team trains with Goldson every Monday and Wednesday during term time at Totally Tennis' Indoor Centre.

First published: Monday, October 17, 2005