Table tennis has always been The Name of the Game for Cloudathlete Pride of Table Tennis Awards winner Steve Bispham – even though a date with ABBA prevented him from collecting his trophy in person.

Steve (pictured above) won the Contribution to Table Tennis award for his work over several decades with the Folkestone & District TTA.

Unfortunately, he was unable to attend the ceremony in Wembley during the London 2026 World Championships as he had tickets for the ABBA attraction on the other side of London.

The citation read out at the awards ceremony was:

Steve Bispham has made a lasting contribution through his work with the Folkestone & District Table Tennis Association, strengthening league structures and competitive opportunities across the district. Holding the role of Vice-Chair for 28 years amongst other roles is dedication that has helped sustain participation and ensure table tennis continues to thrive locally.

Steve started his table tennis journey in the 1980s when he and some cricket team-mates were looking for something to do during the winter months, and one of their number suggested table tennis as he used to play.

“We formed a little club and put a team into the bottom division of the local league,” said Steve, “and I gradually got better, as did most of the others.”

“We ended up in the Premier Division of the Folkestone League, where I still am, and I started playing in the Ashford League as well. So that’s how it started.

“Beyond that, at some point I joined the local league committee and became secretary – and I still am after what must be close to 30 years. I was involved in the county committee for a while as treasurer as well.

“I still play well once or twice a week even though I’m approaching 80 in age. I’m going to target maybe the Over-80 vets in a couple of years.

“I love it and I like to play at least once a week. It’s the sport I think you can play from every age, from eight to – well, I was going to say 80 but as I’m nearly 80, maybe longer!

“It’s been good for fitness and general health, though you slow down with age and reactions are slightly slower. It’s good socially as well, we usually go and have a drink afterwards and have a chat after matches.”

On winning the award, Steve said: “I was really surprised and immensely honoured. I didn’t expect anything like that, so I was really chuffed by it.

“I was proud about because it was completely out of the blue. I didn’t expect it and I didn’t feel I’d done anything particularly fantastic, though obviously being secretary for a long time, there’s a lot of admin you have to do.

“I’m by no means the only person in our league that does stuff for table tennis – and I get out of it as much as I put in, that’s for sure.

“I’ve been proud and honoured and been happy to have been connected with table tennis for so long. And I’m hoping to get a few years more out of playing it.”