Table Tennis England’s latest support scheme for schools has received an fantastic response, with a grand total of 429 applications.

Over £30,000 of funding has now been awarded, totaling 87 grants, and resulting in a minimum of 119 brand new tables in 87 schools. A further 25 schools were awarded activity grants of up to £400. Supporting new schools clubs, schools coaching, and developing club school links.

Table Tennis England CEO Sara Sutcliffe commented:

We’re delighted to have given financial support to so many schools, in most cases helping them to get their students playing table tennis for the first time.

Research shows that table tennis can engage young people who have not previously played sport and also have a positive effect on pupil behaviour.

Countless youngsters will enjoy the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle as a result of these grants. Who knows, there may even be a future champion among them.

Wessington Primary School, a beneficiary of this grant, explain the impact it has had at their school:

Table tennis is a new sport in school and it has engaged many children. Introducing the new sport has led them to show interest in other sports and find new things they may be good at thus impacting on their self-esteem.

The fact that the table is accessible for all children is fantastic and children who have not previously been willing to participate in sport have really enjoyed the game.

There has been a reduction in the number of anti-social behaviour issues during these unstructured times.”

Schools lucky enough to be successful in a grant application will currently be receiving one of our indoor/outdoor table packages, which are still available at an exclusive price for schools. For more details, and information on schools courses and resources, please visit the schools section of our website – http://tabletennisengland.co.uk/schools