Applications are now open for the England Hopes and 9-13 Programme for 2018/19.

The programme is an evolution of the England 9-13 Squad, which ran for the first time last season, and has been split into Hopes and 9-13 components.

It is the youngest age at which players can join the Performance Pathway, with the Hopes section open to athletes born in 2008 or later, while the 9-13 section is for those athletes born in 2006 or later.

Applications are open to athletes who competed at the PG Mutual U10-U13 National Championships last season and who have been invited to apply by one of the national coaching staff, or put forward by a Table Tennis England Centre for Excellence or Performance Club.

The programme aims to help athletes find out what they are capable of while setting clear standards for athletes to become international athletes in the future.

It comprises a series of training days at the David Ross Sports Village in Nottingham, with the option of an international camp consisting of 2-3 days’ training and three days of competition.

A full description of the programme can be downloaded below, along with a Selection Policy and an Application Form.

The closing date for sending in the Application Form and a signed copy of the Selection Policy is Friday August 10. Shortlisted athletes will be invited to an assessment day on August 20 or 22 and the squad will then be announced.