HAMPSHIRE and Isle of Wight tennis has a new team.

It has nothing to do with the county men's tennis team which has made such an impact over the past five years - winning the County Cup three times and twice finishing runners-up.

This team operates best away from the court - in the plush surroundings of the David Lloyd Tennis Centre in Frogmore Lane, Lordshill.

That is where the office can be found of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Lawn Tennis Association, housing the new team, which consists of county development officer David Savage and county performance officer Mike Booth - along with county administrator/secretary, Sandra Holmes.

It is a team which relishes the chance to build on the Hampshire successes of recent years.

And the maxim of the trio, when it comes to giving local tennis a boost is: 'catch them young'.

Savage believes a big part of his job is to get young people involved as early as possible in playing tennis, and he wants to help schools and clubs to extend their tennis programmes.

"We are working together to set up a mini-tennis programme in the area," he explained. "We have to involve sites around the county - maybe a club, school or sports centre."

Booth has already been organising trials for children born in the years 1992, 1993 and 1994.

For, if Britain is to keep pace with the burgeoning rate of improvement in the world game, with the huge financial incentives and status it offers the top stars, then our young players have to be involved early.

"Even at the age of eight, youngsters need to be playing three times per week," said Booth.

"Parents need to get along to a club that has a good junior programme which gives their child the opportunity to play regularly throughout the year."

A general conception of tennis is that it is an elitist sport, but Booth does not necessarily agree.

"It is not that expensive when you compare it to other sports," he said.

"At most clubs it costs about £25 per year for a junior player. Even a racket for an eight-year-old costs only £8.

"It is expensive once you get into tournament play but it is not expensive to start with."

And Booth believes clubs have a vital role to play in the development of British tennis, bringing on young players to compete at tournament level.

"Clubs can work alongside schools with a view to setting up after-school clubs," he explained. "There are funds available to enable schools and clubs to develop their tennis programmes.

Local authorities also have a role to play.

He added: "And the LTA can be a catalyst in the setting up of working partnerships.

"In schools, for instance, we would like to encourage teachers to obtain more specialist coaching qualifications."

The LTA's 'Club Vision' programme is currently operating, working with tennis clubs to determine how they can be helped to become a good, modern club.

"Some £10 million is available over the next ten years to further this kind of work, so the money is there," Booth emphasised.

It's an optimistic view of the future. But the fact remains that, a few players like Tim Henman apart, the country has consistently failed to produce the end product.

So the members of Hampshire's new tennis team know they have plenty of work to do.