A new table tennis session is providing further illustration of how the sport can help people with long-term medical conditions. 

Ryehill Table Tennis Club in Hull received a grant through Active Humber to set up the sessions, which began last month. 

So far, players with Parkinson’s, arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica have attended, and coach Nigel Coe, who delivers the sessions, says the benefit to them all has been clear to see. 

He said: “There’s a guy with Parkinson’s who had played before, but not for seven or eight years, and he was lacking in confidence the first time.  

“The second week he was so much better and you could see the old shots coming through. It’s given him much more confidence with moving about.  

“The others both loosen up and the exercise gets them moving much better. They walk out a lot better than they walk in.” 

Nigel, a Level 1 coach, first had the idea for the sessions before the pandemic, when he lived in Washington played at Imagine TTC in Sunderland. 

Having since moved to Humberside, he decided to have another go at getting them off the ground and applied for the grant through Active Humber. The sessions were advertised in the Hull Daily Mail and through local councils. 

He said: “When I moved to Humberside, I thought I’d have another go and see what happened, so I applied for a grant and we got funding for 25 two-hour sessions and equipment, which was brilliant. 

We’ve got four tables and I’d like to get a few more people here, get them interacting and doing gentle exercise and take it from there. 

The sessions are from 2-4pm on Tuesdays at Ryehill Village Hall. Nigel says anyone with long-term health issues, those recovering from a stroke or similar serious episode, or anyone who would like some fairly gentle exercise in a friendly environment is welcome to attend. 

The Village Hall, which is in Marsh Lane, Ryehill has ramp access and disabled facilities. 

For further information, please contact Nigel Coe via [email protected]