FOUR top Totally Tennis players have been selected for fitness training at the Queen Mary's Sports Centre gym.

For three of the players - Eliot Rowberry, Ben Jubin and Luke Miles - it's a continuation of their sponsorship from last year.

They have now been joined by team-mate Simon James.

All the players are enjoying the state-of-the-art facilities and expertise on offer at the centre.

In addition, they receive diet and supplements advice, as well as personal training.

The centre has put a great emphasis this year on improving the flexibility and posture of the players in order to work on explosive power later in the year without causing injury.

Miles and Rowberry have both seen an improvement in their strength and flexibility over the past year. They have personal flexibility programmes aimed at lengthening their short, tight muscles, while conditioning the weak, overstretched muscles.

When this has been achieved, the players will have improved posture and performance with less chance of soft tissue injuries.

Jubin is another player in his second year at Queen Mary's and, as he is still maturing physically, he follows a similar programme to Miles and Rowberry.

The next few months will see far more attention focused on improving strength and speed which the trainers hope will be carried over on to the court so that the boys improve their rankings.

Fitness trainer James Tilbrook, who has enjoyed great success with his scholar Simon James, said: "Simon has improved in all areas over the past three months.

"His dedication is really paying off and he is now fitter, stronger and more flexible than before."

James has been using the facilities three times a week and also enjoying the benefits of a weekly session with the personal trainer.

The QM Sports Centre is now in the second year of a sponsorship deal with Totally Tennis.

This year the centre has expanded its scholarship scheme to include rugby and ice hockey players, motorcycle racers and swimmers.

First published: Monday, January 30, 2006