Do you know someone who is going the extra mile to remove barriers to playing table tennis and welcoming everyone to the sport?

If so, then now is the time to nominate them for a Cloudathlete Pride of Table Tennis Awards Level the Table Award!

Perhaps you know someone like last year’s winner, Craig Mehew of St Austell in Cornwall.

Craig, along with Allan Brooks and Tim Bowler of St Austell Table Tennis Club, set out on a mission to create One Big Community, an inclusive club which caters for people who walk through the door as beginners, up to county players and recognises the benefits of the sport for physical and mental wellbeing.

They grew membership by almost 100 during 2024 and worked with partners including MENCAP, Wild, Wonder & Wisdom (a women’s empowerment project), schools and St Austell Leisure Centre, to enable 700 people took part in a series of pop-ups, tasters and coached activities.

Craig had particular success developing activities for people with a learning disability. He delivered nine coached sessions in three Day Centres, involving 39 people and catering for players of differing abilities including wheelchair users and non-verbal.

Craig also organised training from Access Cornwall for coaches across the county to learn more about developing activities for people with a disability.
He was able to promote table tennis as an inclusive sport on BBC Radio and TV.

Craig said: “Winning the Level the Table Award at last year’s Table Tennis England Pride Awards was an honour. It felt like all the hard work we’ve put in was truly recognised by the governing body, which meant a great deal.

“I’ve always believed that grassroots development is vital to the sport, and while TTE’s social channels often highlight the elite level, the Pride Awards shine a spotlight on the community and grassroots work that keeps table tennis thriving. That recognition genuinely matters.
“Since receiving the award, we’ve been inspired to push even further. Our membership at St Austell Table Tennis Club has grown to 170, the LD League continues to flourish, and our sports psychology project has been incredibly rewarding with potential for even more growth.

“I’ve also recently taken on the schools role, which will allow us to engage all schools across Cornwall and get more young people involved in the sport at an early age.
“We have also increased participation in women and over 55s with help from our local partners. It feels like table tennis in St Austell is a real talking point and has helped build a strong and united community.
“There is still much more we can and will do, and receiving recognition like the Pride Award motivates me to keep driving progress.”

If you know anyone who deserve to be recognised, then nominate them before 12 January.

There are 11 other categories in the Cloudathlete Pride of Table Tennis Awards, covering officials, clubs, schools, leagues, coaches and more – including the blue riband Volunteer of the year and Young Volunteer of the Year awards.

Get your nominations in now!