TOTALLY Tennis is one of 23 tennis centres to be hand-picked by the Lawn Tennis Association to take part in a pilot scheme to encourage 10 to 18-year-olds to become more involved in tennis.

The pilot, which started over the weekend at the Basingstoke club, is for "RAW Tennis", which not only allows young people to play and compete at a level which suits them, but also encourages them to take a broader interest in tennis, acquire different skills and take responsibility for their own tennis development.

RAW tennis has four elements:

Slams - team competitions with short matches at the club and in a local network of clubs

Freestyle - learning racket and ball tricks and skills and a chance to hang out at the club with friends

Energy - a new slant on fitness to encourage young people to keep in shape in a team environment

Awards - an opportunity for players to recognise their achievements on and off court and encouraging them to increase their knowledge of tennis and to help out at the club.

Totally Tennis senior coach Adam Chadwick said: "All the players are really excited that Totally Tennis has been chosen to take part, and they can have an influence on the shape of British tennis for other juniors of their age. The support material alone, such as T-shirts and posters, is fantastic, and I am sure it will be a huge success."

Emily Taylor, of the Lawn Tennis Association, said: "Over the last 12 months, the LTA have been working with individuals from all areas of tennis to develop the next stage in tennis for children coming out of mini tennis and to retain the interest of young people already in the game.

"Totally Tennis was chosen to take part in the pilot because of its excellent tennis programmes led by licensed coaches."

RAW Tennis goes live in spring 2005 when all players will get the chance to be involved.