BRIGHTON and Hove could become the tennis capital of the South under a new plan for the sport.

The tennis development plan, approved by the council's leisure committee, could mean the appointment of a specialist officer by July. More courts, teachers and youngsters playing tennis are all envisaged in the plan. The Lawn Tennis Association invited the council to produce the plan to get more people involved in the game. Brighton is already big in tennis, with the British squad currently training at Withdean. Local players Julie Pullin, Laura Austin and Clare Wood have all gained national recognition. Sports development manager Nigel Sheehan said: "We could achieve even more by encouraging all organisations to work together more closely." The council has resurfaced 20 public courts since 1996 and encouraged the formation of two new junior clubs. Pavilion and Avenue Tennis Club intends to build a new set of ten courts on a school site near Dyke Road in Hove. The Brighton Health and Racquet Club has just opened at Falmer, with eight indoor and four outdoor courts. And Brighton and Hove Council may take possession of the Hove indoor tennis centre on the seafront and run it as an outdoor pay and play centre. It is also keen to get tennis courts in Portslade, which does not have any at present. The Cliff Richard tennis trail will be extended to more primary schools this year, giving youngsters a valuable start on the sport, and holiday tennis schemes will provide 240 coaching places for youngsters. The council will continue to resurface its own courts and intends to work with local clubs to improve their pavilions.

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