It has been a busy and exciting start to the year for table tennis in the area! The Jack Petchey qualifiers and finals saw an upturn in participation, reflecting a growing enthusiasm and commitment to the sport across schools.

This year, an impressive 84 schools participated in the qualifiers, a significant rise from 68 in the 2023/24 season.  In the finals we saw another increase, with 52 schools and 70 teams competing—up from just 18 schools and 31 teams last year. (note, runners up from county rounds included this year). The inclusion runner-up teams has not only strengthened the competition but has also broadened access, ensuring more young players have the opportunity to compete at a higher level and develop their skills.

For a full report of the area final, please visit: Jack Petchey Finals Report

For a video of the event across the qualifiers and final, check out: Event Video

Exciting Developments on the Horizon

With such positive momentum, we are looking forward to a packed schedule of initiatives and competitions aimed at further developing the sport. Key upcoming events and opportunities include:

• London’s first Ping Hub, creating a dedicated space for play, and community engagement. An article on the opening can be found here
• The Jack Petchey Individual Final, where the region’s top young players will compete for championship titles.
• Development competitions, providing structured pathways for developing players to improve and gain experience.
• Teachers and leader’s courses, equipping educators and community leaders with the skills to introduce and develop table tennis in schools.
• Girls’ coaching programs, aimed at increasing female participation and building a stronger pathway for girls in the sport.
• Upcoming WTT (World Table Tennis) events, bringing world-class competition to the city and inspiring the next generation of players.

Table Donation Scheme – Apply Now!

A reminder that the Table Donation Scheme is currently open! Schools and Youth Clubs looking to expand their table tennis programs and provide more playing opportunities for students can apply here: School Table Donation Scheme

Get Involved!

As always, if you have any stories, achievements, or exciting table tennis initiatives you’d like to share, please do get in touch! Your contributions help us celebrate the growth of the sport and inspire even more people to get involved.