Bishop Auckland Table Tennis Club (BATTC) is celebrating after scooping two awards at the The County Durham Sports and Physical Achievements Awards for Durham Dales

Against sizable competition the club was awarded Junior Club of the Year while Chairman and Head Coach, Matt Porter was named Coach of the Year.

This fine achievement is even more remarkable given that Matt only began the club in August 2012 after attending a taster session for table tennis at Bishop Barrington School, which continues to be the home of BATTC.

In a short space of time, due almost entirely to Matt’s drive and enthusiasm, BATTC not only achieved Sport England Clubmark status but is also now an ETTA Four Star Ability PremierClub. In addition, they have also run a number of courses from Disability Awareness courses to UKCC courses and an upcoming umpires training day.

The coach’s experience as a player and level 3 coach helped to grow the club from one session a week with six members to a thriving club that has over 60 members of mixed age and ability with the club deliver table tennis coaching and training to over 120 people a week.

Achieving the Junior Sports Club of the Year caps an incredible 12 months for the club, which now has players in the North East Regional Development Squad, nationally ranked players, and teams in the local League and can boast getting ten new volunteers through their UKCC level 1 this year.

Head Coach Matt Porter said: “The Durham County Council Sport and Physical Achievement Awards is a prestigious event that celebrates sporting excellence across the region. It was really touching I was nominated, and to win Coach of the Year is fantastic. But I couldn’t have done it without the dedication and encouragement of all the volunteers and players who make this club what it is.”

Both Matt and the BATTC now go forward to compete in the final of the County Durham Sport and Physical Activity Awards, arranged by Durham County Council and County Durham Sport on the 11 October at Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham.

For more information on Bishop Auckland Table Tennis club check out the website www.bishopaucklandttc.co.uk or facebook page www.facebook.com/Bishopttc

Written by Mick Smith (October 4, 2013)