UKAEA Winfrith is helping to power Wimbledon hopefuls in Dorchester by providing sponsorship to get more children playing tennis.

After the worst British performance at Wimbledon for 17 years, there has been much talk about the need to get more youngsters involved in the game at grass roots level.

The environmental restoration firm is working with Dorchester Tennis Academy to address this issue, by getting more Mini-Murrays' and Tiny Tims' involved locally through funding coaches to visit seven first schools and introduce over 500 children to mini tennis.

An open day run last month was attended by more than 30 children and as a result, 37 new faces have been selected for mini tennis talent squads.

A recent talent identification camp was also held which attracted 20 children, and further selections will take place for the academy's performance programme in the near future.

Head coach Neil Darragh said: "The sponsorship from UKAEA has been fantastic and has enabled us to get tennis across to so many more children.

"What we're trying to do is get more kids playing the game so we have a much wider base and select the more talented and committed children for extra training so that we can start producing players of county and national standard."

The academy, in partnership with Dorchester Tennis Club and St Osmund's Community Sports Centre, was given performance accreditation earlier this year by the Lawn Tennis Association, meaning it is one of only five clubs in the county recognised as having a quality performance programme for its most talented players.

Coaching courses will be run by the academy throughout the summer holidays for children of all ages and abilities.

For further details of these and other opportunities to get involved in tennis through the academy, contact Neil Darragh on 07788973259 or e-mail him on neildarragh@freenet.co.uk