October has been a bit quieter on the mileage front, with a lot of meetings shifting online or happening over the phone. But even with less travel, it’s been a pretty busy month, packed with some exciting updates and new initiatives!
Key Meetings & Training
I’ve had some great meetings this month, including with the Dorset and Cornwall Active Partnerships. It’s always good to check in and see how we can work in partnership supporting local sports and physical activity across the region.
I also took part in some training from Sport England on a new change management system, which was really insightful. It’s all about helping organisations like ours handle transitions more effectively, and I am eager to put some of these strategies into practice.
Junior Sessions in Malmesbury & St Austell
One of the highlights this month has been hearing about the new Junior Sessions happening in Malmesbury and St Austell. Huge kudos to Marie-Claire Davis and Craig Mehew for doing such an amazing job linking up with local schools and getting the word out. It’s fantastic to see these sessions taking off and providing more opportunities for young people to get involved in Table Tennis.
Plymouth Joola: Busy as Ever!
Over in Plymouth, Joola has been a hive of activity. They’ve been hosting events, competing in tournaments, and laying down new flooring—taking their space to the next level! They’re also building new school partnerships, which is fantastic for growing their community presence.
If you haven’t already, make sure to check out their Facebook page. They’ve been live-streaming matches, including a big showdown between Bailey Page and Billy Shilton at the British Para Table Tennis (BPTT) event. It’s a great way to catch the action and support the players from the comfort of your own home.
Falmouth Docks Celebrates 75 Years!
Another major milestone this month: Falmouth Docks Table Tennis Club celebrated its 75th Anniversary on October 26th. What an achievement for such a well-loved, family-run club! It’s not just about looking back at their impressive history, though—they’ve got big plans for the future and are working hard to grow and develop even more. Big congratulations to everyone involved!
Cheltenham TTC’s Para Table Tennis Sessions
Cheltenham Table Tennis Club has been running Para Table Tennis sessions, with the exciting finale being a visit to the EIS in Sheffield. This is a fantastic opportunity for players to gain experience at one of the country’s top sports facilities—such an inspiring step forward for those involved!
Congratulations to Our New Tournament Organisers!
A big congratulations to the five newly qualified Tournament Organisers (Level 2) from the South West! I had the pleasure of attending the course myself and am really looking forward to putting all the new knowledge into practice. I’m excited to be supporting a number of upcoming events, including:
- Women & Girls 1 Star in Gloucestershire, led by Lesley Slack
- A 1 Star in Cornwall, led by Kelly Plumb
- Junior Tournaments organised by Nick Davidson and Derek Connop
Additionally, Weston Table Tennis Club is diving into the competition scene, putting their newly acquired equipment and setup to excellent use.
If you’re interested in becoming a Tournament Organiser yourself, check out the link to register for the next TO2 Course. The course covers best practices for tournament organizing, an overview of the rules and guidelines, and provides links to further resources. The best part? It’s a really supportive community, and I can’t wait to collaborate with everyone going forward.
Upcoming Events: What’s Next?
South West Training Squad Days
We’re excited to announce the first South West U19 Training Camp will be held on 17th November in Portishead. The camp will be led by Nick Davidson and supported by the County Associations. For more details, follow the link!
Coach Conferences – Watch This Space!
After chatting with a lot of coaches and attending a Gloucestershire Coach meeting, it was clear that informal networking and continuous development are key for everyone involved. With this in mind, we’re working on organizing more Coach Network and training events:
- Gloucestershire will host a training event soon (stay tuned for details)
- Cornwall has confirmed their Coach Conference for 10th May
- We’re also looking for more venues across the South West to ensure geographic equity, so if you have a space in mind, please get in touch!
Wrapping Up
October has been a month of new opportunities, and lots of planning for the future. We’re always looking for feedback, so if there are any topics you’d like to see covered or suggestions for Table Tennis development across the South West, feel free to drop me a message
Amanda Leonard Area Manager – South West