British Fed Cup team captain Judy Murray visited Batchwood Sports Centre today to promote her new coaching initiative to increase levels of participation in women’s tennis.

The Scot launched a new programme called "Miss-Hits" earlier this year, which will act as a feeder programme into LTA Mini Tennis.

Murray recently set out a ten year plan for her Fed Cup team and believes the game must attract more female players in order to achieve her targets.

The mother of tennis ace Andy Murray said: "Coaching has long been considered a male domain and we need to change that.

"If we want to become a strong women’s tennis nation and have ambition to win the Fed Cup in ten years’ time and beyond, we absolutely have to increase the number of girls playing tennis."

The 55-year-old coach was elected as the British Fed Cup team captain in December 2011, and says she took the job in part to raise the profile of female coaches.

Great Britain have never won the cup, which serves as a premier international team competition in women’s tennis.

Miss-Hits is a 12-week indoor programme specifically designed for girls and delivered by a female coach. There are six characters behind the Miss-Hits who take the girls through the basics of tennis through active play.

Murray added: There are currently four times more boys than girls involved in tennis.

"I want to get more women coaching and in order for that to happen we have to make tennis more attractive "With dancing, games and much more, Miss-Hits is the perfect introduction to tennis for girls.

"Girls build friendship groups and develop basic tennis shots and motor skills which will help to prepare them for LTA Mini Tennis.

"We have already seen some positive results, and I have really enjoyed all the training so far. It’s very exciting."

Fifteen coaches took part in the scheme today, which works with women of all abilities and those who may not be from tennis backgrounds.

Also taking place at the sports centre in Batchwood Drive today was the first female-only level one coaching course for mothers from St Albans and Harpenden.

Murray officially opened the Batchwood Sports Centre last year after it was re-built following a fire. Her son Andy plays his French Open semi-final against Djokovic this afternoon.

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