Do you know someone who can follow in the footsteps of “fantastic” Pride of Table Tennis Award winner Jordan Abbott?

Jordan was named Young Volunteer of the Year at last season’s awards after he was nominated by his club, Halton TTC in Widnes.

Jordan’s successor as winner will be crowned at the Senior National Championships – and you still have a few days left to nominate your local heroes, in the same category and also for the Volunteer of the Year award.

Click here to nominate a Volunteer of the Year or Young Volunteer of the Year

Nominations close at 5pm on Wednesday 18th December, 2019

Jordan’s nomination last year showed just how much he put into helping people enjoy and achieve in table tennis.

His nomination form included: “Jordan has been exceptional this year. He has covered the club when sickness kept the Chairman and Organiser away for over two months. He has initiated a summer camp for the players and involved others in the coaching.

“Jordan has been involved with running an after-school club for a local primary school; and during the year assisted twice weekly with over-50s daytime sessions; also coaching young players at events round the country. Jordan has also encouraged young players under 11 to become involved in the club and introduce them to playing table tennis.

“What is really fantastic is that Jordan has Learning Disabilities and came through the club development programme, first winning medals in UK School Games (learning Disabilities) then qualifying both as a level 1 coach and umpire. He has officiated at Halton 1 and 2 Star events as an umpire and for County Matches for Cheshire.”

Jordan has also been a part of the Young Ambassadors programme and a fine example of how volunteers can help the game to grow.

Recently Jordan attended a TTKidz activator training course, so he can be involved in delivering the courses. Jordan is always available to assist with clearing the hall and setting up for big events.

Speaking after receiving his award in March, Jordan said: “I feel very proud to have received this award. It’s really important for people, particularly young people, to volunteer at clubs because without them, many clubs would struggle to run.”

We know there are plenty of equally worthy volunteers doing amazing things for table tennis up and down the country – don’t miss your chance to nominate them!

More about the awards

The Pride of Table Tennis Awards for 2019 were launched earlier this month. We are asking clubs and leagues all over the country to present their own Club or League Volunteer of the Year and their Young Volunteer of the Year awards to someone who has gone ‘above and beyond’ in the past 12 months.

Everyone who is honoured in this way at local level will receive a certificate from Table Tennis England and will be put forward for the national awards – the winners of both categories will be guests of honour and receive their awards at the Senior National Championships over the weekend of February 28-March 1.

We will also be surprising some of the local winners by choosing them at random to receive special ‘table tennis experiences’ or prizes, such as a weekend away at the Nationals with overnight stay, the chance to train with England coaches or players, or a spa break.

This is the first year of the new-look Pride awards, which will run on a two-year cycle co-inciding with National Conferences. Further information on the changes to the awards can be found by clicking here