Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash has urged Richmond teenager Oliver Golding to put his career before his country when he picks the launch pad for his tilt at the professional tennis circuit, writes David Jordan.

The 16-year-old former child actor has attracted the attention of England’s National Tennis Centre, the Albert Costa Centre Internacional De Tennis in Spain and the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Paris.

Golding - Britain’s youngest junior No.1 - caught the eye by reaching the last 16 of the boys’ championship at the Australian Open last month.

And after Australian Open finalist Andy Murray opted to boost his early career by switching to Spain in his teens, Cash insists there should be no issue with Golding following suit.

“You have to go and get the best coaching you possibly can - that applies to every young player,” said 1987 Wimbledon winner, Cash, who is supporting the Barclays Ball Kids initiative.

“If it is available in Britain then I think that is best at a young age because I think stability is very important in a young player’s development.

“But if the coaching isn’t up to the standard required here then I think you have to look after your future and if that involves playing abroad like Murray did then so be it.

“The late teenage years are very important in a player’s development and it is important they are given the best guidance at that time.”

Golding, who helped Team GB reach the final of the 2009 Junior Davis Cup in Mexico, is currently coached by Otto Buchholdt.

And while Cash admits the former Newland House School pupil should follow his own path, the 1987 All England Club champion has warned the teenager not to chop and change his coaches.

“One thing I think is very important though is making sure you don’t switch coaches all the time,” added Cash.

“There is a tendency at the moment for youngsters switching coaches every few months and it doesn’t work.

“I think coaches are expected just to wave the magic wand and suddenly this lad is a world beater but changing does far more harm than good.

“People develop and different speeds and are better suited by different styles.

“What doesn’t help is having their style changed every few months because a different coach has a different idea.

“Changing coaches and changing ideas over complicates things I think and you need to leave room for a player’s natural development.”

* Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash is supporting the Barclays Ball Kids initiative, a national search to find 30 youngsters to be Ball Kids at the 2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November. For more info visit www.barclaysballkids.com