A well-known face in Kent tennis is two months into her new role as president of the LTA.

Sandi Procter became the LTA’s 24th president - and just the second woman to hold the role - when she took office at the turn of the year.

The appointment was confirmed at the annual meeting and saw her step up from her previous position as deputy president of the national governing body.

It makes her the most senior volunteer representative in tennis in Britain and is a three-year term.

On accepting the presidency, Procter said: “I’m very honoured and excited to take on the role.

“I’ve always loved my involvement in tennis and can’t wait to have the opportunity to engage with the team and the wider community of volunteers, so that together we can continue to open up tennis.”

Tennis has historically been a pioneer for women and girls in sport and Procter’s appointment to one of the organisation’s three most senior roles will help drive further progress as the LTA puts a special focus on women and girls’ tennis this year.

A former PE teacher-turned-tennis-coach and manager of Bromley Tennis Centre - Emma Raducanu’s former training base - Procter has a long history of volunteering.

She has served on the LTA board since the beginning of 2017, previously represented Kent on the LTA council and still sits on the Kent LTA board, having been involved in a wide range of tennis activities and projects in the county for more than 25 years.

Procter is known for her passion for junior tennis, having created the original Red, Orange and Green ball programme that has been adopted by more than 150 countries around the world.

It has since been developed to become part of the new LTA youth scheme. She also created the original LTA youth tennis leaders programme for 11-18-year-olds.

Procter was recognised for her outstanding service to tennis in September last year when she was presented with the spirit of sport and recreation award by the Earl of Wessex Prince Edward at St James’ Palace.

Meanwhile, Mary Evans is the new president of the Kent LTA.

Like Procter in the national governing body, Evans is just the second woman to hold office.

She said: “It is a privilege to be a small cog in the highly successful wheels of Kent tennis, and giving something back to the county association.”

Evans, who played her junior tennis in Shropshire, moved to Otford in 1978 and trained as a coach in 1986.

With her daughter in the county development squad, Evans became involved in the running of Kent County Schools Tennis Association tournaments for primary schools.

Among her other highlights, in 2001, she set up and ran Otford Mini Tennis Club, coaching up to 250 children a week.

Having joined the Kent LTA council in 1995, she became chairman of the junior development committee.

In 2005, Evans was invited to help set up the first county awards, which she now chairs.

She received the Charles Bailey lifetime achievement award at the Kent LTA Awards in 2010.