Meet our Young Ambassadors

Age: 17

Club: Britannia TTC

Mentor: Aad Kwakkelstein

I decided to join the Young Ambassador programme because I believe it is an excellent way to give back to my club and the table tennis community which I have been a part of since a young age. I also enjoy coaching others and knew that the programme would help me to develop my skills and confidence as well as giving me valuable experience in the coaching industry. Table tennis has been a great way to meet new people and make new friends. For anyone looking to get involved in playing table tennis, whether that is casually or competitively, I would say give it a go!! Anyone can play and it is ideal for keeping active. Table tennis has taught me the importance of stepping outside of my comfort zone in order to achieve things that I never would have thought were possible.

Age: 14

Club: Britannia TTC

Mentor: Aad Kwakkelstein

My coach Aad Kwakkelstein, recommended that I become a Young Ambassador with all the voluntary work I was doing at the club to support Aad coaching the younger squads. I had been awaiting major surgery for Scoliosis so the Young Ambassador programme was something I felt I could get involved with whilst awaiting surgery as well as afterwards.

As a player my proudest achievement has been representing my school, Westbourne Academy in Ipswich, at the Schools National in 2019.  I was year 7 and had only been at WA for 8 months when I represented them. 

I have always suffered with asthma, since playing table tennis 5-6 times a week, my asthma has become more manageable.  I have also lost weight and I am fitter.

Age: 16

Club: Brandon TTC

Mentor: David Godbold

The Young Ambassador Programme appealed to me as I am interested in being a coach and this will give me the experience while being supported by established coaches. I would tell anyone to give table tennis a go. It’s hard at first but very rewarding once you get the hang of it. Table tennis has helped me gain confidence I never thought I would have. Meeting new people with the same interests has been very rewarding. Living with Autism, I sometimes struggle with change, but through sport I am learning to cope in a more productive way.

Age: 15

Club: St Mary’s Hull

Mentor: Shane Bradley

I chose to join the programme because I love to see progress & coaching keeps me healthy, gives me a fun hobby & keeps me motivated to succeed. In table tennis I like competitive play like tournaments and coaching. Coaching makes me feel proud seeing people progress like I did years ago. And I also love playing good games in tournaments as it helps me develop myself under pressure so I will be able to handle pressure moments in future jobs. Table Tennis has socially helped me a lot as I have lots of good friends. Self-discipline and encouragement from friends is more valuable than money as achievements lead to opportunities.

Age: 16

Club: St Mary’s Hull

Mentor: Shane Bradley

The reason for joining the Young Ambassador programme is because I aspire to do my Level 1 & 2 coaching & I believe this is the start of that journey. I think my next step up is into coaching, helping others to achieve their full potential and learn skills that they will use in later life, not just table tennis. Starting my journey in table tennis I wanted to lose weight, I then aimed to be a champion of Hull, then champion of Yorkshire & lastly a champion of England of which I achieved. I then realised without team mates, without coaches, without patience & self-discipline I & many other players at my club would have never reached their accomplishments.

Age: 17

Club: Blackpool TTC

Mentor: Brian Jackson

I enjoy helping at events now more than playing, but I still put bat to ball occasionally. My dad introduced both my sister and myself to table tennis through the club. I’ve volunteered at a number of 2 star events the club runs and I’ve helped as a Young Activator at our TT Kidz sessions. I like the social aspect, meeting new people and helping at events. I’ve met a number of new people through the sport and become more involved with events. Just recently I was the Referee’s assistant at the Stiga Blackpool Junior 4 Star, checking players in on arrival, helping to write up the KO matches following the group stages and writing up the wall charts. Through the club I’ve learnt and done things I wouldn’t normally do and made a number of friends. I’d recommend giving volunteering a go, you don’t know where it will take you.

Age: 17

Club: SGS College Bristol

Mentor: Nick Davidson

SGS Bristol College ran a community based club programme and before long I found myself going along to these sessions to help the new youngsters that have taken up the sport. All of this has happened in such a short space of time and now I find myself on the Table Tennis England Ambassador programme which I feel very honoured to be part of. I joined the club programmes to meet new people and better my standard of play, whilst also being able to play on a more regular basis more than just once a week at school. The chance to join the Ambassador programme is the chance to put something back into the sport and try and make a difference, however small. I have already found that volunteering and helping out is very rewarding. The youngsters love to now hit with me and improve their own game. 

Age: 15

Club: Horsham TTC

Mentor: Ian Ford

I was never naturally athletic and was always a shy kid when it came to anything sports related. Table tennis was a real breakthrough for me while developing my physical ability and my confidence when relating to anything sports and fitness related. So overall I think I was drawn to table tennis as a sport that I could flourish my ability in to develop myself as both a player and a person, so to me it’s more than just a sport is a method of me showing who I am and what I can achieve in a competitive environment. I have now joined the young ambassador programme to participate in something new and put myself forwards for things that I might not have tried before. If someone wants to get involved in table tennis, I would encourage them fully to pursue it. Although it may not be as big as football or basketball it gives you plentiful of life experiences and journey’s that most people miss out on. If you’re able to reach and push yourself to the boundary and reach a certain levels, so many doors and opportunities open up and you will develop as a player and more importantly as a character outside of the sport.