Table Tennis England is abolishing its Associate Membership fee.

The annual fee of £4 has been payable by club players who do not take part in organised competition, plus social players who are not members of a club but wish to be part of Table Tennis England.

However, for 2015/16 – subject to approval at next month’s Annual General Meeting – Associate Membership of Table Tennis England will be completely free.

The aim is to remove a possible barrier to membership, helping clubs and the sport as a whole to grow.

It will also help Table Tennis England to gather more accurate data about club and social players, which will enable us to plan and deliver initiatives based on what clubs and players tell us.

Table Tennis England Chief Executive Sara Sutcliffe said: “This is a really positive step which will benefit players, clubs and Table Tennis England itself, and the decision comes as a direct result of feedback we have had from the grassroots of the sport.

“Most importantly, from next season it won’t cost a penny to register as an Associate Member, which we’re sure will appeal to players who want to play on a more recreational than competitive level.

“There are still some very good reasons to register as an Associate Member of Table Tennis England – not least as members they will be covered by public liability insurance.

“Members will also have access to our expertise, knowledge and support and to possible funding streams.

“This is more evidence of our commitment to listen to and act on the insight we receive from players at all levels of the sport.”

Associate Members will also receive a number of other benefits which will be launched in the new membership year.

PremierClubs will still be required to register all their players who are not otherwise registered as Player Members, but will not have to pay anything over and above the PremierClub annual fee which will remain at £35 for 2015/16.

Table Tennis England’s review of its membership structure is ongoing, but all other membership fees are being frozen at their current levels for 2015/16.

The Annual General Meeting which is expected to ratify this decision is on Saturday July 11.