Roll on the 2024 / 25 Season
As the start of school approaches and the summer is ebbing away, at least the Paralympics is providing thrills and immense pride in the GB team. At home the 2024 / 25 Table Tennis season has already started and I know that many of you have been working hard preparing.
Volunteers undertake such a range of tasks over the summer months, Annual Reports, applying for grants, coaching taster sessions, talking to local partners, cleaning and maintaining facilities, organising umpires, building tables, making videos, ordering equipment, organising competitions and mustering members ensuring that affiliations are in place. Very little table tennis would happen without the unwavering efforts of volunteers.
Big respect and a massive thank you
South West Junior and Cadet Training Days
Nick Davidson and I have been in discussions with each county to look at if there if there is support for resurrecting the Regional Training Days. Thank you to everyone who has fed in so far. There is broad support and we are investigating, venues and host clubs, which players would most benefit and if it’s possible to run Coach CPD in parallel.
The key thoughts so far:-
- A good geographic mix of locations
- The tier below the top players
- Include 17 and 18 year olds to keep involved
- Different stages of development in each county need to be considered
If you have any thoughts you can either complete the survey Link to South West Squad Survey or get in touch.
Bristol Table Tennis Academy Launches
Congratulations to Nick Davidson and his team for launching his new endeavour on the 4th September after successfully gaining funding from Sport England’s Movement Fund.
For more details follow the link
Umpire Course and Tournament Organiser Course
What would Table Tennis be without a ‘friendly’ competition?
These are only possible because of the dedicated workforce of Tournament Organisers and Officials. There’s still time to make an Olympic Final!
Upcoming Courses
Umpire Level 1 – Cornwall Table Tennis Centre – 14th September
There are also a few courses outside of the South West, Wolverhampton being the nearest.
Tournament Organiser Course Level 2 – Online 7th October
Follow the link for course dates
The Fanzone – Cabot Circus, Bristol and St Austell Project Launch
Over the summer I’ve had the opportunity to meet many members of the Table Tennis Community and members of the public both at the Bristol Olympic & Paralympic Fanzone and the Launch of the Table Tennis for Good Project in St Austell Town Centre.
A huge thank you to Emma Harradine, Nick Davidson and Mark Tanner for supporting the activation days, bank holiday week and Chris Price and Louis Price for organising the Launch. The events were supported by the wider Bristol Table Tennis Community and enjoyed by members of the public of all ages. Not only did many Bristolians take part, but I was struck by the number of nationalities, Polish, Ukrainian, Nepalese, German, Swiss, Dutch and well as visitors from across the UK.
Highlights were watching talented youngsters playing and just hanging out, as well as being able to introduce the sport to children and parents alike.
Visit the Bristol Fanzone Gallery
I spent a lot of time talking to people about their local table tennis clubs and tables available in their area. If you know of any table available in your area please add them to Places to Play or make the table owners area.
Table Tennis for Good in St Austell
In St Austell Craig Mehew and the volunteers have so far run 3 town centre days. The second one held on 20th August was the launch of the Table Tennis for Good project #TT4Good attended by friends and family of the club, local day centres for adults with learning disabilities thanks to MENCAP, the Mayor & Deputy Mayor and a representative of the funder Cornwall Council’s Prosperity Fund.
Very different backdrops, but the same vibe of growing the love of table tennis, surprising people at how much fun they can have and how quickly they can grasp the basics. And for those who have the bug a referral to a club or other free tables. Perhaps they will start to enjoy the world of spin and join a league.
St Austell have been playing about with Video. Take a look at the capture of the Project Launch video
Both locations are exploring setting up Ping Pong Parlours, a more permanent home for Table Tennis in a disused shop which will help to encourage more footfall. Ping Pong Parlours are run by shopping centres supported by Table Tennis England and the local Table Tennis Community. Here is more information on how the benefits of Ping Pong Parlours and how to set them up.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss any aspect of Table Tennis in the South West please get in touch.
News Stories and photos from your Table Tennis Community are always welcome.