North West Area
Area Manager (North West)
Contact Martin
Hi, and welcome to the North West Area Development page.
Welcome to the NW Area page covering; Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Cheshire. My name is Martin Ireland and I’m the TT England Area Manager for the North West helping clubs and leagues with the development of table tennis from TT Kids to Sport England Grant Applications.
I’ve played table tennis in a number of leagues in the North West, for Lancashire County and in British League over the years. I’m secretary of the Blackpool & District TT League, run weekly junior coaching sessions at Blackpool Sports Centre and try when I can to play in the Blackpool & Preston leagues. As a volunteer I’ve been organising local 2-4 star competitions for over 30 years, which has led to some marvelous experiences working on national and major international events.
On this page you will find many great examples of table tennis projects and activity taking place throughout the North West such as; new shorter league formats, social Bat & Chat sessions and TT Kidz activity. To find out how we can help your club, league or community group do the same, contact me at: martin.ireland m: 07971 186405.
North West Local Organising Group
Local Organising Groups (LOGs) are formed of volunteers from the table tennis community and external partners and organisations who work with us to bring table tennis alive locally. They are there to provide support and guidance to the Area Manager and take an action-led approach to helping deliver the Local Delivery Plan. Click here for more information on Local Organising Groups. To see the insight that has driven the Local Delivery Plan click here.
The members of the North West Local Organising Group are:
| Name | Area of knowledge or expertise | |
| Mel Canham Flixton TTC, Manchester (La) | Women & girls participation, coaching | |
| Paul Hutchings Liverpool & Dist. TTL (La) | Coaching & performance, social participation | |
| Martin Ireland (Area Manager) Blackpool & Dist. TTL (La) | Competitions, social participation, league play | |
| Jan Johns Crewe Central TTC (Ch) | Women & girls participation, club development | |
| Peter Leahy (Chairman) Natland & Oxenholme TTC (Cu) | Club development, social participation, coaching | |
| Dan O’Connell UCLan, Prestwich (La) | Coaching & performance | |
| Tom Purcell Liverpool & Dist. TTL (La) | Umpiring, league play, competitions | |
| Nik Smith Whitehaven Harbour Youth Project (Cu) | TT Kidz, youth projects | |
| Mike Sunderland Kirkby Stephen TTC (Cu) | Club development, social participation, coaching | |
| Karen Tonge OBE Halton TTC (Ch) | Club development, officiating, para table tennis |
Area Blog
North West – May 2024
Welcome to an update of table tennis activity within the North West. North West Local Organising Group (LOG) Members of the North West LOG Chaired… Continue reading
North West – Apr 24
Welcome to an update of table tennis activity within the North West. If you would like to promote and share a table tennis activity or… Continue reading
North West – Feb 24
Welcome to an update of Table Tennis activity within the North West. If you would like to promote and share a table tennis activity or… Continue reading
North West Local Delivery Plan
Latest news from the North West Area
WTT event Feeds an upturn in participation in Manchester
Hosting the WTT Feeder Manchester in February has enabled a number of opportunities to engage the local population in table tennis – and our Ping Hub project in the city has been extended until the end of the year.
Start your umpiring journey here!
Would you like to emulate the 18 English umpires who were part of the team of officials at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games? If so, why not take the first step on the umpiring ladder at our upcoming course in the North West?
Help shape the future of volunteering in table tennis
Table Tennis England are excited to launch their volunteer landscape survey which aims to enhance the volunteering experience in the dynamic world of table tennis. To make this possible, they’re asking for your insights!
Spotlight on ….
Insight and Impact
