COACHING is the future as far as table tennis is concerned for Bury's multi-purpose sportswoman Andrea Holt, writes STEVE BOTT.

Andrea, who hails from the Ainsworth Road area, was looking to make a comeback on the playing side for England in this summer's Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

She played in the national championships in Sheffield last weekend and reached the semi-finals, where she was knocked out 4-2 by current No 1 Nicola Deaton from Derbyshire.

Andrea, herself a former England No 1, said: "If I do get involved in the Commonwealth Games I think it will be on the coaching side.

"The England selectors have set the criteria and it will be difficult for me because I have not been playing for two years. I think coaching will be my future now in table tennis."

Andrea is also limbering up for a busy summer on the golf course. She has a couple of friendlies lined up for the Lancashire Ladies B team soon and she will also be competing in the Lancashire Championships at Wilpshire Golf Club in Blackburn next month.