TT Kidz provides the resources to help coaches deliver their existing skills and knowledge in an exciting new way!

The initiative, which gives 7-to-11-year-olds a fun introduction to the sport, 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.

We are providing clubs and coaches with more than 70 activity cards and supporting video resources – helping less experienced volunteers get involved, while allowing experienced coaches to deliver skills they already know how to coach, but suggesting new ways to get them across.

We have held TT Kidz Festivals around the country in recent weeks, showcasing the programme – here’s what some of the coaches and activators have had to say about their first experience of the revamped initiative!

Lead Coach Pete Barrow, who ran a TT Kidz activity and filming day at the home of Tamworth TTC in Kingsbury, said: “The thing I really enjoyed is that a lot of the kids didn’t know each other before they came here, and they just got on.

“Due to the exercises, they’ve made friends, they started working together. They talk to them during the breaks, and I just love the whole social building that they’ve done between them.”

Adam Proszko, Head Coach and Safeguarding Officer at Portsmouth TTC said: “We had 30 students participating, and they all had fun. It’s good promotion for the club and good to learn new skills.”

Club Chairman Andy Green added: “Delivering a programme by Table Tennis England is definitely the way forward. It makes it safe, it makes it fun, it gives it credibility.

“I would say sign up for TT kids now – don’t wait, get on with it. From ages seven onwards, there’s a chance to get into the sport that could last for lifetime.”

Dale Ajeto from Wensum TTC in Norfolk said: “They’re getting something different every 15 minutes or so. They’re all on the go all the time and nobody’s gone and sat on the side and said, ‘I’m bored’, it’s absolutely brilliant.”

Lauren Evans, who leads on TT Kidz for Table Tennis England, says: “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 and we want to make sure that children come back.”

TT Kidz will initially be delivered exclusively by PremierClubs initially.