TOTALLY Tennis coach Inga Sydorenko has successfully completed her first British professional coaching qualification.

The Development Coach Award (DCA) is the first rung on the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) ladder.

Ukrainian Sydorenko, who joined Totally Tennis last autumn, was a top player in her native country before coming to England to further her tennis coaching career and gain all her coaching qualifications.

A former Ukrainian national champion, winning the title for two consecutive years in 1992 and 1993, Sydorenko joined Totally Tennis after completing the LTA's tennis assistants course.

Her potential was spotted by Totally Tennis head coach Shane Deacon and she now coaches the performance players in the full-time squad, offering them a daily comprehensive training programme.

She has brought with her a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as the Eastern European training mentality.

All the players are already seeing the benefits of her good technical knowledge and exceptional training methods.

Totally Tennis director Nigel Long said of Sydorenko's achievement: "Inga is working really hard to gain her coaching qualifications and her playing experience is providing the full-time squad players with lots of opportunities to further develop their tennis."

Sydorenko said: "I am pleased to have passed my first qualification in this country.

"I am enjoying the challenge of working with the full-time squad, developing their skills and being part of the dynamic team at Totally Tennis."

The Development Coach Award began in January 1997, when it replaced the existing Elementary Coaching Award.

All candidates must be checked by the Criminal Records Bureau and be first-aid trained.

Totally Tennis now has a record eight LTA-qualified and licensed coaches, four development coaches, one club coach and three performance coaches.