The Pride of Table Tennis Awards turn the spotlight on the younger generation, with nominations open for School of the Year and the prestigious Young Volunteer of the Year categories.
The possibilities for table tennis in schools are endless – from PE to extra-curricular activities, and from wet play to competing in the annual Butterfly National Championships – it really is a game suitable for children of all ages and abilities.
School of the Year is a new category for 2020 and we’re looking for nominations for schools which have made a significant impact in developing young people through table tennis in the last 12 months.
This could be through increasing the number of pupils participating, providing opportunities to compete, developing links with the wider table tennis community and / or creating leadership opportunities for pupils.
Claire Brockwell, Clubs Leagues and Schools Manager said: “We are delighted to be able to introduce the School of the Year category into the Pride of Table Tennis Awards. We know there are a huge number of schools that do a fantastic job of engaging their pupils and staff in table tennis.
“We hope this award can provide an opportunity for these schools to be recognised in our National Awards, whilst also inspiring others to find out more about the huge opportunity that table tennis in schools brings.”
If you know an inspirational School worthy of a Pride of Table Tennis award, now is the time to nominate them!
Nominations close at 5pm on Friday October 2.
Click here to nominate your School of the Year
If your school is keen to find out more about opportunities that Table Tennis England can offer your students and teachers, why not take a look at our brand new Schools Memberships, our tailored equipment offers, or our young leaders and teachers courses? All the information you need to get your school up and running with table tennis, or to progress to next steps in your table tennis journey, can be found by clicking here.
Meanwhile, the search is also on for our Young Volunteer of the Year, which recognises a person under 25 years of age for their dedication, commitment or impact in/on table tennis on a voluntary basis over the past 12 months.
This may take place at a club, local community, league, county, schools county, regional or national level and includes those young people involved in coaching and/or officiating.
Last year’s winner Sophie Storey is a great example. Since 2015, she has been heavily involved in table tennis, making a significant contribution to encourage people to play the sport, most notably being an important member of the ‘This Girl Can’ sessions and organising the inaugural youth presentations for Weymouth and District League.
A highlight of Sophie’s year was volunteering as a ball girl for the final of the senior Women’s final at the National championships in Nottingham. Sophie has also reached 50 hours for the Table Tennis England Young Ambassadors programme, which is an incredible achievement.
Johnathon Driscoll, Programmes Activator for Table Tennis England, said: “The enthusiasm, drive, commitment and impact our Young Volunteers have for table tennis is nothing short of sensational.
“Sophie’s incredible achievements highlight the importance of our young volunteers in the Young Ambassador programme and beyond to support and lead coaching sessions, develop opportunities for minority groups or through officiating in local/regional/national competitions. By making a nomination, it is our chance to honour and celebrate the fantastic work that they do.”
Each young person nominated in this category will receive a certificate and be put forward to the regional awards.
Click here to nominate your Young Volunteer of the Year
Nominations close at 5pm on Friday October 2.