TENNIS: FORWARD-THINKING Bewdley Tennis Club have appointed a head coach to keep up their progression.

The club, who attract players from all over Wyre Forest and have around 300 members, want to put a solid coaching structure in place.

And Tracey Powell, 25, has been brought in to ensure Bewdley give the maximum support to players of all ages and abilities.

Powell has been Hereford and Worcestershire ladies' champion for the last six years and coaches the county team.

The club's Dawn Gumbley said: "It's quite a big step for us but something we've wanted to do for a while.

"Tracey will bring new ideas and we know she's a very good player.

"We've had coaches at the club, myself included, for some years but it's been several people doing several things.

"What we wanted was to have a cohesive structure programme, starting with pre-school children and their mothers.

"It's going to be as full-time as Tracy is able to make it although the first year will be a bit of a learning curve for her and for us."

Both Bewdley men's and ladies' A teams play in the higher echelons of the Hereford and Worcestershire League.

The club also wants to cultivate young county players.

Powell, of Bromyard, said: "I used to work in Ross at a tennis centre but decided to go freelance.

"This is a good chance for me at a bigger club. I want to get toddlers through to county players and adults through to Division One players.

"I used to play tournaments at Bewdley and found everyone to be nice and friendly. It should be a good place to work."