Table tennis clubs play a vital role in their local communities, offering regular opportunities for people to be active, social and competitive. By linking with their local Active Partnership clubs can significantly extend their reach and strengthen their impact.
Active Partnerships work strategically across their areas to increase physical activity, reduce inactivity and support community wellbeing. When table tennis clubs connect with them, they gain access to wider insight, support and opportunities that can help them grow sustainably.
One of the key benefits is improved understanding of local need. Active Partnerships hold valuable data on participation trends, inequalities and priority communities. This information can help clubs shape sessions that respond to real local demand, whether that is targeting specific age groups, supporting people with a disability, or developing women and girls’ activity. This can strengthen project development and funding applications.
Partnership working also opens doors to new audiences. These organisations work closely with schools, community organisations, health providers and local authorities. Through these connections, table tennis clubs can access new venues, referral pathways and promotional opportunities that would be difficult to reach alone.
Across the South West, there are already strong examples of the impact of this work. Active Cornwall has provided seed funding to support the launch of an Over 55s Bat and Chat session and is working with the table tennis community to strengthen links with schools, including the delivery of an inclusive festival and relaunching the County Schools Competition. These connections are helping to broaden participation and create sustainable pathways between schools and clubs.
In Gloucestershire, the table tennis community has engaged with Active Gloucestershire by attending a Physical Activity and Health event, which helped clubs and volunteers connect with a wide range of community groups and partners. Members have also taken part in a Clubs Development evening and Safeguarding and Welfare training, supporting both quality and sustainability in local delivery.
In Avon, Bristol Civil Service Table Tennis Club shared promotion of their Women and Girls session with WESPORT, which was then circulated through the Bristol Girls Can Network. This simple connection helped the club reach new audiences and raise awareness of women and girl focused opportunities. In Weston-super-Mare, Weston TTC linked with the Opening Schools Facilities Fund, supporting the establishment of a new venue and increasing local access to the sport.
In Somerset, links are at an earlier stage but there is significant potential. The Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership has received substantial place-based funding for coastal communities, including Bridgwater. Initial connections are being made through briefings for delivery staff, helping to raise awareness of table tennis and explore how it can contribute to local priorities.
Funding and workforce support is another important benefit of working with Active Partnerships across the South West. They are often aware of local and responsible for disseminating national funding streams, training opportunities and development programmes. Clubs that are connected to these networks are better placed to identify resources, upskill volunteers and plan realistic, well-supported projects.
Collaboration with these organisations also strengthens a club’s profile and credibility. Being part of a wider local network demonstrates commitment to inclusion, quality and community impact, helping clubs build trust with partners, attract volunteers and promote opportunities to play.
Ultimately, linking with organisations such as Active Cornwall, Active Gloucestershire, WESPORT and SASP helps table tennis clubs move beyond standalone delivery and become part of a coordinated local approach to physical activity, known as Place-based working. By sharing knowledge, aligning priorities and working together, clubs can reach more people and ensure table tennis continues to thrive within their communities.
If your club is interested in developing closer links with its local Active Partnership organisation, you can find contact details through the national Active Partnerships network:
https://www.activepartnerships.org/active-partnerships
Reaching out for an initial conversation is a positive first step, and small connections can often lead to meaningful and lasting opportunities for growth.
A short guide for table tennis clubs
Start local
Identify your local Active Partnership and make initial contact. You can find yours here:
https://www.activepartnerships.org/active-partnerships
Share what you do
Explain who your club reaches, when you play and what you are interested in developing. This could include schools, older adults, inclusion, women and girls or social play.
Listen to local priorities
Active Partnerships can share insight into local needs, priority communities and available funding. Use this information to shape realistic and relevant activity.
Look for small opportunities
Joint promotion, attending a network meeting or delivering a taster session can be the starting point for longer-term work.
Build relationships
Partnerships grow over time. Regular contact helps clubs access training, funding, venues and wider community networks.
Celebrate and share success
Sharing good news values volunteers, promotes local opportunities to play and helps inspire others across the table tennis community.
Link back to the South West Area page
