Table Tennis England Chair Nick Donald had a “truly inspiring” visit to Brighton Table Tennis Club, where he presented Paralympic champion Will Bayley with an international honour.

Nick met club founder Tim Holtam to discuss the club’s work and was able to see some of it for himself as Will was leading a weekly coaching session for a group of players with Down’s Syndrome.

It also gave Nick the opportunity to present Will personally with the award for ITTF Male Para Player of the Year for 2023. Nick, Will and Tim are pictured above with the players and other club members during the presentation.

Nick said: “I was surprised and delighted to be met by this wonderful group of players who were enjoying a weekly coaching session from Will.

“Fortuitously, I had with me the trophy which was picked up on Will’s behalf in Busan. We were able to organise an impromptu presentation to Will, which everyone enjoyed.

“The visit to Brighton TTC was truly inspiring.”

Will was awarded the honour at the ITTF Awards held in Busan, South Korea, during the World Championships in February.

He was unable to attend the ceremony as he was preparing for the ITTF Astana Para Open in Kazakhstan.

The award came in a year when he added the 2023 European title to the World title he won in Spain in 2022. He is the first British player to be honoured at the prestigious award ceremony which was first held in 2013.