TENNIS: With the sun slipping below the horizon on Wednesday night, some of the region's up-and-coming tennis stars put together their final preparations for the upcoming Junior Development Series in Toowoomba this weekend.

Boys in the 11, 13, 15, 17 and under age groups will travel across the Darling Downs and compete as individuals for the chance to represent the South region at the state tournament in Rockhampton later this year.

Tennis Maranoa chief co-ordinator Dean Stansell set up a number of drills to improve key areas of the players' games.

"We focused a lot on attacking drills, mainly how to take a ball and win the point, while also working heavily on defending, serving and returning,” he said.

"I've been very impressed with the talent in Roma with a number standouts including Henry Reardon and Darcy Rogers who qualified for the southwest team through the school-based tennis competition and will play in Toowoomba in August.

"Henry will also play in the open age group in Toowoomba next weekend with Luke Doig and they compete against higher ranked players from the state.”