Welcome to an update of table tennis activity within the North West.
North West Local Organising Group (LOG)
Members of the North West LOG Chaired by Peter Leahy (Natland and Oxenholme TTC, Cumbria) are meeting on 28th May to discuss Local Delivery Plan items and opportunities important to clubs and leagues in the NW. Webinars will be held in coming months, covering two topics per webinar followed by a Q&A. One of the aims of the LOG is to bring together clubs and volunteers to share best practice and opportunities that could be useful to other clubs and groups.
Women and Girls Ambassador programme 2024-25
Following the Women and Girls event held at the Great Northern Ping Hub on 8th March (International Women’s Day), which saw 19 participants attend. A Women and Girls Ambassador programme has been launched. To date twelve ambassadors have been appointed with four applicants from the NW signing up: Kate Grant (Waterside TTC, Didsbury), Nicia Low (University of Manchester), Shams Kaloo (Waterside TTC, Didsbury) and Lyndsey Simpson (Blackpool TTC).
The programme has been running since 2019 and has been part of initiatives aiming to address the gender imbalance in Table Tennis. In 2024, the Women and Girls Ambassador programme hopes to build on the previous year’s successes, bringing together a diverse group of individuals to raise the visibility and amplify the voice of women and girls existing and new to the sport. Further details will be announced over coming months.
Sport England New Movement Funding
Sport England has recently launched a new funding pot called the New Movement Fund replacing the Small Grants programme that closed in March 24. This is a new source of funding from Sport England that invites applications from community groups, local clubs and grassroot organisations that are at the heart of delivering physical opportunities that boost people’s health and wellbeing.
Help shape the future of volunteering in table tennis
Table Tennis England are excited to launch their volunteer landscape survey which aims to enhance the volunteering experience in table tennis. To make this possible, they’re asking for your insights! Find out more about the Survey.
Umpires Course
Level 1 Umpire Award – Blackpool Sports Centre – 15th September, 10am to 4pm – Tutor Brian Jackson
Would you like to emulate the 18 English umpires who were part of the team of officials at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games? If so, why not take the first step on the umpiring ladder at our upcoming course in the North West book online here.
TT Kidz
If your club is considering running a TT Kidz session in Sept/Oct this year, now is the time to register your clubs interest. If you would like to know more about the programme register your interest here and I’ll get back in touch with you.
Martin Machin Champions Challenge – Friday 31st May 2024
If you’ve never attended this invitation event which raises money for Wigan & Leigh Hospice (over £8000 to date) organised by Jim Bolton and colleagues from the Wigan League, I fully recommend it. The event takes place on Friday 31st May 2024 at 7:00pm at Leigh Miners Welfare Institute, Kirby Road, Twist Lane. Leigh WN7 4EF. Players compete initially in 2 groups with the group winners meeting in a grand final for the cash prizes, with the winner taking away £150 and the runner up £75.
Spectators are welcome, admission is just £3 for adults and free for juniors. There’s food, snacks, coffee and a fully licensed bar. Further details can be found here.
See previous blogs on our NW Development Page:
If you would like to promote and share a table tennis activity or project that is going particularly well in your area, please feel free to get in touch and let me know.
Best wishes
Martin
