With the UK set to host the ITTF European Para Table Tennis Championships in Sheffield next month, the British Para Table Tennis Team is relaunching its Future Stars programme with an opportunity for anyone who aspires to be involved in Para table tennis to take part in an eligibility day in Sheffield on Tuesday, October 3.

The Future Stars programme was first introduced in 2020 to identify potential Para table tennis athletes and help them to become involved in the sport.

Para table tennis is one of the most inclusive Paralympic sports, catering for wheelchair and ambulant athletes from a wide range of physical impairment groups and those with learning difficulties.

In addition to its 14-strong Performance squad, the British Para Table Tennis team has a successful Pathway programme which, since its inception in 2013, has produced a number of players who have progressed to win medals at major championships – including Paralympic medallists Tom Matthews, Billy Shilton and Megan Shackleton, world doubles champions Fliss Pickard and Grace Williams, Commonwealth champion Joshua Stacey and world medallist Martin Perry.

“I’m excited to announce that our Future Stars programme is back, and all geared around the European Championships in Sheffield which we hope will inspire new Para table tennis athletes,” said BPTT Programme Manager Shaun Marples.

“If any Para athlete would like to try table tennis or is already playing table tennis and wants to see more, I’d encourage them to sign up online and register. Future Stars has already proved successful in growing the talent pool of Para table tennis in the UK since it was initially launched during the pandemic, and this is an exciting new phase as we look forward to LA 2028 and beyond. 

“If anyone is coming to watch the European Championships and wants to see if they have what it takes there will be the opportunity to take on some of the Pathway players at the BPTT Fan Zone on September 6th (1-4pm), 8th (1-4pm) and 9th (10am-4pm), where a team of volunteers and coaches will also be on hand with advice and playing tips.”

The European Championships are taking place at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield from September 4-9 and will be followed by a national competition on September 10 which is open to any Para table tennis athlete who is a member of British Para Table Tennis.

To get involved in Future Stars:

Click here to register your interest – click on ‘Register to be a Future Star’, then attend an eligibility day in Sheffield on Tuesday, October 3 between 9am and 2pm.

Click here to become a member of British Para Table Tennis

Click here to enter the BPTT Sheffield Grand Prix on September 10