TT Kidz programmes kicked off all over the country this week, with over 350 children taking part.
In total 29 table tennis clubs signed up to deliver the eight-week programme, which was created by Table Tennis England to primarily get more young people playing the sport.
Almost half of the programmes sold out, with some increasing capacity to accommodate the high levels of interest.
Caroline Gallacher, whose son Harry attended a session at Westfield Table Tennis Club in Wellinborough, said: “It was a fabulous first TT Kidz session. Harry absolutely loved it, and the instructors were brilliant.”
The highest number of participants have been 27 at Horsham Table Tennis Club in Sussex and 26 in Cliffedale Chandlers in Grantham, Lincolnshire.
The following programmes also sold out: Halton Table Tennis Club (Widnes), Goodwin Table Tennis Club (Hull), Ormesby Table Tennis Club (Middlesbrough), Swerve Table Tennis Club (Middlesbrough), Luton Table Tennis Club (Bedfordshire), Water Lane Table Tennis Club (Hertfordshire), Ramsbottom Table Tennis Club (Bury), Whittlesey Table Tennis Club (nr Peterborough), Birmingham Table Tennis Academy (Birmingham), Kingfisher Table Tennis Club (Reading) and Wigginton Table Tennis Club (York).
Greg Yarnall, Head of Development and Volunteering at Table Tennis England said: “It has been fantastic to see TT Kidz come to life this week.
“We have been delighted with the response and the number of young people signing up to have their first experience of table tennis.
“We now have an opportunity to show the 350+ young people and parents who signed up what a great, fun game table tennis is.”
As well as getting a whole new generation of children playing our great game, the programme also set out to increase the number of young people working as activators and coaches.
Greg commented: “We have seen a really good response from clubs in this regard, with a number of sessions being led by completely new young coaches and activators.”
Could your club deliver TT Kidz?
TT Kidz is a great initiative from Table Tennis England to help inspire the next generation of players, and it is a great way to attract more young people into table tennis clubs. It has been a massive success for us at Kingfisher and amazing to see many new young faces playing table tennis for the first time, having lots of fun and making friends. All the children left the first session buzzing and excited and wanting to come back.
Raj Patel from Kingfisher Table Tennis Club
The TT Kidz programme provides clubs with specially researched and designed sessions to help them introduce a whole new generation of children to our great game, and giving them the skills necessary to enjoy a great game of table tennis for themselves.
It could potentially add a new, dynamic aspect to your club, giving you and your fellow coaches the chance to engage with children and parents, and teach the game in a new, refreshing way.
Clubs that are part of the programme receive support from Table Tennis England, including resources, training and marketing assistance.
The TT Kidz programmes will take place again early next year and we will be launching the sign up process for clubs in the coming weeks.
If you would like to be kept informed of when clubs can sign up to be part of TT Kidz, please fill in the form below.
To deliver the programme, your club must be PremierClub affiliated. To find out more about club affiliation click here.
[ninja_form id=204]