The Ping Hub in Manchester, set up to deliver a lasting social impact legacy from the inaugural WTT Feeder this year, has been honoured at the Manchester Sport Awards 2024.

The Hub, based at Great Northern Warehouse in the heart of the city centre, won the Our Manchester Award – given to an organisation or individual that has strengthened communities in Manchester.

The award was presented during a ceremony at the city’s historic Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, which brought together sporting clubs, volunteers, projects, athletes, partners and guests which represent Manchester communities

It is recognition that the Hub has brought huge value to the city since it was launched in February to coincide with WTT Feeder Manchester, the first WTT event to be held in England.

The facility was developed in partnership between Table Tennis England and Great Northern Warehouse; Cornilleau, who provide the equipment; and MCRactive, who have supported the growth of the Hub.

The Ping Hub is the flagship initiative of the Ping programme, delivered to local communities across England and making table tennis accessible to a diverse range of people.

Since it opened, more than 14,000 people have played there, including over 2,300 who have engaged in coached activities, competitions and other activator-led activities.

The diverse communities of Manchester are represented among participants, with 50% of them coming from the Chinese and Hong Kong, South Asian and European communities.

Around 35% of participants are women and girls and the Ping Hub has delivered high profile activities around International Women’s Day and women and girls’ competitions.

It also hosted to varsity matches between University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.

The GNW Ping Hub now has more than 200 members who can reserve tables and book one-to-one coaching for those wishing to improve.

Andrew Wilesmith, Table Tennis England’s Head of Table Tennis Development said: “We’re utterly delighted to have won the Our Manchester Award, because it recognises work done to strengthen communities, which is the whole ethos behind the Ping Hub.

“This was a vision that was developed only 12 months ago and to go from vision to concept to implementation in 11 months with the success this initiative has had, demonstrates the power Ping has to bring communities together and get them more active.

“We are indebted to MCRactive, Great Northern Warehouse and Cornilleau for their ongoing support.”

Heath Cole, Sports Strategy Manager from MCRactive said “We’re delighted Table Tennis England has been recognised by winning the Our Manchester Award.

“This hub has seen coaching, competition and tournaments including a hard-fought varsity match which have all created huge interest in the sport of table tennis. Manchester celebrates doing things differently, in partnership and creatively, and the Ping Hub gives us all these and more!”

Mark Schofield, Centre Director at Great Northern Warehouse said “Great Northern Warehouse has always been a place that brings people and communities together. We’re proud of our ongoing relationship with Ping Hub and will support this great initiative for as long as we can.”

Darren Mason, UK Managing Director at Cornilleau UK said: “Congratulations to all at Table Tennis England and The Great Northern Warehouse for their success. Here at Cornilleau UK we were happy to provide the tables and equipment for this incredible initiative that brought the community together and provided many hours of fun for both new and existing table tennis players in Manchester.”