The Butterfly National Schools Individual Championships have joined the team competition in being cancelled for the 2020/21 season.

The Table Tennis England Schools Committee made what it called a ‘sad decision’ in the light of the ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

The competition was due to start in February 2021 with county and regional rounds, building up to the national finals in Wolverhampton on Saturday April 24.

Competition organiser and Schools Committee member Gail Johns said: “Unfortunately an event on this scale would not be safe for either players or officials and this was the overriding consideration when the decision to cancel was made.

“This was not an easy decision as we all look forward to this competition which gives so many young players an insight into the world of top-class table tennis. All the top England players have been involved in schools table tennis competitions and we regard this as a really positive and enjoyable experience for the nearly 400 national finalists along with the hundreds of youngsters who compete in the county competitions each year.”

This season’s Butterfly National Schools Team Championships was cancelled earlier this month.