TWO Totally Tennis Performance players, accompanied by head coach Shane Deacon, returned last week from their 10-day whistle-stop tour of Texas, USA, where the players visited eight universities to see what possibilities exist for tennis scholar-ships in the States.

The trip was a partnership venture between Totally Tennis and the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation, which not only enabled TT's Tanya Hasking (pictured left) and Sammie Moreton to take part, but also Maria Wisdon (Portsmouth) and Melanie McKensie (Scotland), who are members of the Cliff Richard performance squad 'Trailblazers".

The group visited universities in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin where they met tutors and coaches and got a taste of life in an American University.

Not only were the British players overwhelmed by the huge hospitality and show of generosity from their American hosts, but also the world-class standard of the sport facilities on offer.

Deacon said: "The sports facilities are superb, and the scholarships available are excellent. They can include accommodation, tuition fees, clothing and food, which is a package they simply could not get in the UK."

The group practised and observed teams train at each site, and also had time to take in an American football match and homecoming.

By the time the players had returned to Britain, Tanya Hasking, who would go to the US in September next year, had received a great deal of interest from her favourite college, The University of North Texas.

She said: "It would be an amazing opportunity to go and follow in the footsteps of the three other Totally Tennis players who have received US scholarships.

"The University of North Texas has got excellent facilities and, in particular, a really welcoming coach, which would make such a big move a lot easier. I am very excited about the possibilities."

Deacon added: "This trip is a good example of the benefits Totally Tennis can offer to its players through the partnerships it has developed.

"Whatever the players eventually decide to do, this was an excellent opportunity to see both university life and tennis in another country - there were scholarship players there from all over the world, including Australia and Spain - and I am sure that at least one of the players that travelled will join them next year."