At the start of Volunteers Week, we’re saying a huge thank you to the countless local heroes who give their time and skills to help people enjoy and achieve in our sport.

Without those dedicated, committed people who volunteer to make table tennis happen every day, the sport just wouldn’t be the same.

From those who help run clubs and leagues all over the country to the national volunteers who dedicate their time to helping Table Tennis England run competitions, we would like to place on record our gratitude for everything they do.

To help mark Volunteers Week (1st-7th June), we want you to help us thank our volunteers on social media. We’re asking people to post a message of thanks to the volunteers on social media using the hashtag #VolunteersWeek and tagging Table Tennis England (@TableTennisEng).

Greg Yarnall, Head of Development & Volunteering at Table Tennis England, said:

Quite simply, without volunteers, our sport would not run. To all committee members, officials, coaches and those in other roles who give up their time, enthusiasm and expertise on a regular basis, we’d like to say thanks a million.

We honour a number of volunteers at our Pride of Table Tennis Awards each year but recognise that they are only a small part of the volunteer army at work in the sport.

Table Tennis England is committed to recruiting more volunteers and to make their experience in the sport as enjoyable as possible. Last June we launched the Young Ambassador volunteering initiative, which aims to give clubs and leagues the tools to grow their volunteer base, while enabling young people aged 14-25 to gain personal skills, qualifications and vital experience to enhance their career prospects.

A total of 22 clubs and leagues signed up to the programme in year one, with 25 young people giving their time, effort and energy towards ensuring new and existing players have great experiences in our sport.

Together they clocked up more than 500 hours of volunteering.

The scheme will reopen for applications from clubs and leagues later this summer. All clubs are eligible to sign up to the scheme, with Premier Clubs receiving part-funding to provide their young volunteers with incentives when they hit the key volunteering milestones of 10, 30 and 50 hours. This includes a £95 bursary for a Level 1 Session Coach course or a full bursary for a Level 1 Umpire course, as well as Table Tennis England branded kit.

The Pride of Table Tennis Awards will also reopen later this year.

To register your interest in volunteering with Table Tennis England, visit our volunteering page and fill in the registration form, or visit our Officials page to find all the support and guidance you need to get started in officiating.