Following the ESTTA Schools County Team Events in November, the top teams from the South West Counties congregated on Sunday in Plymouth for the ESTTA School Zonal Finals. The Winners and Runners up from this event would qualify for a place in the last 16 in England! Counties represented on the day were Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire and Avon.

32 players and 8 teams made the journey down from Dorset to Plymouth and showed have far table tennis in Dorset has come in the last 6 years. The results of Dorset teams for the day are as follows.

U11s Boys: Park School SOUTH WEST CHAMPIONS
U11 Girls Park School SOUTH WEST Runners-Up
U13 Boys Grange School SOUTH WEST CHAMPIONS
U13 Girls Bournemouth School for Girls SOUTH WEST CHAMPIONS
U16 Boys Budmouth College SOUTH WEST Runners-Up
U16 Boys Bournemouth School for Boys 3rd Place (losing to Budmouth)
U16 Girls Bourneouth Schools for Girls 3rd Place on countback
U19 Boys Budmouth College SOUTH WEST CHAMPIONS

All Winners and Runners up will be representing their schools and counties in Bournemouth and Bristol over the weekend 19/20 March.

James Lewis, ESTTA Schools County Secretary for Dorset explained the reasons why school table tennis in Dorset is thriving!

“Reflecting on the success of these schools, one can see that some key factors are identifiable in this success. First, each school has regular coaching in their schools by a UKCC Level 2 Coach. Secondly, all schools have players who have made the transition into the Dorset Table Tennis Academy and finally each school has exceptional supporting PE Staff and parents.

Many thanks to Active Dorset and Table Tennis England for their wholehearted support for table tennis in Dorset.

Congratulations to all players. After savouring the success on the weekend, now commences the hard work in preparing for the Regionals……..

If schools would like extra coaching, please get in touch!”

James can be contacted on [email protected]