Clubs and organisations can apply for grants under a new Table Tennis England initiative to get more people from minority or underrepresented groups from within the sport to start playing table tennis.

Up to £300 is available for projects which focus on inclusivity and engaging more participants in one of the following areas:

• Disability (a minimum of 50% of projects will be selected from this area)
• Women and girls
• BAME communities
• Mental health
• LGBT+

Funding is open to Table Tennis England Premier Clubs and Associate Clubs and also to constituted community-led groups, with evidence of liability insurance held by the group or venue(s) in which they operate.

Greg Yarnall, Head of Development and Volunteering at Table Tennis England, said: “Table tennis is a sport which can be played by anyone, no matter what their background and we are committed to opening up more opportunities for everyone.

“We know that many clubs and organisations would like to become more inclusive but sometimes have financial barriers to doing so. This funding aims to provide a helping hand to get projects off the ground.”

Projects which apply will be expected to show how the project will become sustainable. They must run for at least eight months of the year and be delivered in a community-use venue and be run on a not-for-profit basis.

Replacement of old table tennis equipment is not covered by this fund, but funding can be used to support Level 1 coaching qualification costs (up to a maximum of 50% of course costs), new equipment that helps meet the needs of the participants the project is aimed at, facility hire or coaching costs.

The deadline for applications is January 16, 2019. To apply, please download and fill in the form below and return it to Jade Griffiths.