Our sport is indebted to thousands of volunteers who give their time and commitment every week to ensure players can enjoy and achieve in the sport – and umpires are one of the key groups of volunteers.

As we celebrate Volunteers’ Week (June 1-7), we meet three young umpires who are just starting in the sport and are dreaming of officiating at the Commonwealth Games and other elite events.

They are part of a series of umpire training courses primarily launched by Table Tennis England and aimed at under-25s and females and which could open up a pathway to officiating at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and other major international events.

Membership fees help fund vital programmes, including umpire and tournament officials’ training, to help safeguard the future of our sport. That’s why we say that when you buy a membership with us you become more than a player – you become part of a bigger picture. To find out how affiliation fees support you and the sport you love, click here.