The circuit will comprise National Junior Opens at under-19 level and regional championships across the world, as well as the World Junior Championship.

The results of these events will be the basis on which rankings are calculated for the under-19 group, which will be done on a quarterly bsis.

WSF President N Ramachandran said: "Our member nations and regions go to great lengths to foster the development of young talent and we can now recognise their efforts at world level by linking together the calendar and providing world rankings.

"We already know that this principle has been well received within the sport and we look forward to seeing our talented youngsters from across the world benefiting from it."

WSF chief executive Andrew Shelley added: "Details on how the circuit and rankings work have been sent to the nations.

"Events, including July's World Junior Individual Championships, will come on stream from June onwards, in advance of the first WSF Junior Ranking Lists appearing in October.

"The WSF will not be setting regulations for the events, but once the rankings are up and running they will certainly provide a strong guide for seedings, and for the world rankings that players can use to measure their progress."

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