The Maidstone Table Tennis League, the fourth oldest league in the country, is embarking on an ambitious project to revitalize the sport in the region. Once home to eight divisions and 100 teams playing weekly, the league had seen a decline due to the disappearance of multi-table venues. However, a bold initiative is set to change the narrative.
The league has recently invested heavily in new school facilities, seizing the opportunity to establish a state-of-the-art, multi-table club in one of Maidstone’s new sports halls. This move marks a significant step toward providing match practice and junior coaching opportunities that had long been absent in the area.
Overcoming Challenges
The journey to this milestone was far from easy. Convincing the school’s CEO to allow table tennis in the brand-new sports halls was the first hurdle. The league needed to demonstrate that table tennis would be a safe, year-round activity that wouldn’t compromise the facilities.
Once approval was granted, the working party set its sights on creating a viable club. A minimum of 12 tables, along with essential equipment such as surrounds, nets, umpire’s tables, scoring machines, training bats, and thousands of balls, was deemed necessary. To meet these requirements and cover the hall hire costs without an existing membership base, the league needed to raise at least £20,000—a daunting task.
With support from the Maidstone League, Bribar Sports, and contributions from past and present players, the funds were successfully secured.
Support from Table Tennis England
The league has also received backing from Table Tennis England, which assisted in creating the club’s new website as part of its Premier Club membership. In addition, Table Tennis England is currently supporting a further funding bid to secure additional resources for junior coaching activities, ensuring the sustainability and growth of the club’s youth programs.
Building a Foundation
Another challenge was storage for the equipment. Fortunately, the school generously offered half of its storage facilities, exceeding expectations. The club also needed to establish a robust administrative framework, including a constitution, code of conduct, DBS checks for coaches, insurance coverage, and more.
Claire Moore, the club’s secretary and chairperson, played a pivotal role, dedicating countless hours to assembling the necessary paperwork. A formal committee was established, enabling the club to open a community bank account, set up a website, and launch a social media campaign to attract members.
Grand Opening
The league is proud to announce the official opening of the club on 14th January 2024, with an opening ceremony featuring international players. A junior coaching session led by top players will follow on Thursday, 6th February 2024, marking the beginning of a new chapter for table tennis in Maidstone.
The Maidstone Table Tennis League extends its gratitude to the SST School in Maidstone for their support, as well as to all the volunteers and financial supporters who made this vision a reality. With the continued support of Table Tennis England and the local community, this initiative promises to breathe new life into the sport and nurture the next generation of players in the region.
