TT Kidz, our programme to give 7-to-11-year-olds a fun and inspiring introduction to table tennis, can be a huge boost to clubs.

The initiative has had a makeover to make it more flexible to deliver, taking kids on a journey at their own pace and helping them to learn all the skills they need to ‘graduate’ into the sport full-time.

TT Kidz will initially be delivered exclusively by PremierClubs, who will receive the programme resources for free, with the programme to be expanded into schools and community organisations at a later date.

As well as a range of other club benefits, PremierClub status includes access for one named individual to the online TT Kidz resources, activities and training materials, helping you deliver the programme with confidence.

There are more than 70 activity cards and supporting videos resources for deliverers to use, accessed through the benefits section on TTE Hub.

Why deliver TT Kidz?

Delivering the TT Kidz programme can:

• Help your club to attract new junior participants
• Create a clear route into club membership
• Support participant retention
• Help less experienced volunteers get involved
• Raise your club’s local profile
• Generate additional income

TT Kidz will also help support kids into the wider table tennis community. This can potentially help them become future young leaders, volunteers, players, coaches, and support clubs and the wider ecosystem in general.

What you need to deliver TT Kidz

TT Kidz is being launched exclusively to PremierClubs initially, with clubs needing to meet the safeguarding and eligibility criteria of PremierClub status to access this and other benefits.

A minimum of three tables is recommended for TT Kidz delivery and extra space can support off-table activities, but sessions can be adapted by taking tables down when required. More tables and a larger space will enable you to cater for higher participant numbers – we recommend a ratio of adults to children of 1:8.

Lauren Evans, who leads on TT Kidz for Table Tennis England, says: “Clubs have the flexibility to choose how to fit TT Kidz into their existing programmes. Coaches and clubs are the experts – we are offering resources to support them without constraining them.

“TT Kidz is a mixture of games and drills. We want to come away from the traditional playing style of just doing forehand to forehand and backhand to backhand. We want to make it fun. We want to make sure that children come back.”

PremierClubs can sign up to one of two webinars next month to find out more about the revamped programme, with a view to starting to deliver TT Kidz early in the new year.

The webinars will take place on Tuesday 10 November from 6-7pm and Wednesday 11 November from 12-1pm. Sign up via TTE Hub.