More clubs and programmes than ever before are involved in the latest round of TT Kidz – the fun, engaging and inspiring table tennis programme for seven-to-11-year-olds.

A total of 34 clubs are between them delivering 40 eight-week programmes up and down the country from Devon to Newcastle.

An amazing 381 children have signed up and have received kit bags and are playing within clubs, many for the first time.

The TT Kidz network of clubs also continues to grow, with 16 clubs delivering the programme for the first time and joining a network which now stands at 74 clubs which have delivered the programme over the last three years, introducing close to 2,000 children to the game. 

In addition, all these clubs have a kit bag which they can use for delivering the programme in schools, growing the number of children experiencing the game all the time and supporting school-club links.

One of the clubs now enthusiastically on board is MESC TTC based in Stoke-on-Trent. 

Malcom Dawson, club chair, said: “I wasn’t too sure about TT Kidz to begin but am converted now! We have 14 new U11s in the club and the children are really enjoying it (as are the club delivering it). 

“It’s also been a great experience for our older juniors who are developing some leadership skills through helping in the sessions.”

Following a successful pilot earlier in the year, we are supporting nine clubs in delivering girls-only TT Kidz programmes and they will be continuing the sessions after the eight weeks to encourage more girls into the game. The result of this has been more girls signing up for the 2022 phase than ever before, with 121 girls booked on. 

Anna Walsh, a Level 1 Coach supporting the Blackpool girls-only session, said: “It’s been great coaching at a girls-only TT Kidz session, all the girls are really enthusiastic and are making new friends. You can see improvements in play each week and they always leave with a smile on their face.”

In addition, Table Tennis England has this year developed a partnership with Everyone Active, one of the country’s leading leisure operators, who are delivering TT Kidz in eight sites up and down the country.  In January, this will increase to 11 sites. A lot of these sites are based near clubs so should children want to carry on playing the game there is an exit route there.

To find out more about delivering TT Kidz in your club please email [email protected]