Work to ensure the WTT Feeder Manchester leaves a lasting legacy is well under way and will continue before, during and after the tournament.

Building on the work done around last year’s inaugural WTT Feeder Manchester, we are working to create opportunities across diverse communities.

Director of Table Tennis Development at Table Tennis England, Andrew Wilesmith, said social impact work has been going on with schools and partners across Manchester.

He said: “The GNW Ping Hub, a social impact initiative from last year’s inaugural Feeder in Manchester, has played host to schools across Manchester in the last few weeks. Table Tennis England has delivered coaching sessions to these school children as part of our Ping! project.”

He said scores of children had benefitted from the sessions, while the GNW Ping Hub has also welcomed numerous community groups and new players over the last couple of months with more than 1,000 people visiting the space to play.

During the WTT Feeder Manchester, which starts on 24 April, from the venue will also welcome schools, community groups and partners to watch the live action across the Thursday and Friday of the event.

Table Tennis England will also deliver a large-scale coaching and learning CPD programme at the venue to support the sport’s ongoing work to widen participation in and engagement with the sport and to help improve the environments for those who have struggled to be active.

These workshops include neurodiversity in table tennis and creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for neurodivergent players, mental health support and well-being using table tennis, and creating a positive environment for young people. Click here for more information.

Andrew added: “It’s essential that the events we host have a lasting impact beyond the few days of the actual tournament. We’ll continue to work hard to bring the sport to more people where they live, work and socialise and to remove barriers to people being able to enjoy our amazing sport.”