For over four decades, Tamworth Table Tennis Club has been a cornerstone of the community, operating from the Tamworth Youth Club and offering both sporting and social opportunities. In December, following the council’s decision to close the Youth Club building, the club was compelled to find new premises. While the adult section managed to secure a venue, the thriving junior program—with over 40 enthusiastic members—needed a larger space to continue growing.

Thanks to fundraising, the club has now relocated to Kingsbury Sports and Community Centre. This move comes with exciting benefits: the club now owns 10 tables, and all the equipment needed to host tournaments and special events. The venue at Kingsbury began hosting junior coaching sessions from January, confirming the club’s expansion and renewed stability.

A Home for Junior Talents: The Staffordshire Junior Closed County Championships

On 5 July, Tamworth TTC marked a significant milestone by hosting the Junior Closed County Championships for Staffordshire—the first time in many years the club has held this event. The tournament attracted 34 young and enthusiastic players, showcasing its rising stature in the county.

Championship Results

• Under 19 Open – Winner: Philip Isaac • Runner‑Up: Simona Vassileva
• Under 19 Girls – Winner: Simona Vassileva • Runner‑Up: Tulsi Koria
• Under 15 Open – Winner: Philip Isaac • Runner‑Up: Josh Elsom
• Under 15 Girls – Winner: Tulsi Koria • Runner‑Up: Olivia Ablewhite
• Under 13 Open – Winner: James Paddock • Runner‑Up: Olivia Ablewhite
• Under 13 Girls – Winner: Olivia Ablewhite • Runner‑Up: Maizy Richardson
• Under 19 Consolation – Winner: Jacob Nevard • Runner‑Up: Ashton Elsom
• Under 15 Consolation – Winner: Ronnie Townsend • Runner‑Up: Elhadi Elkanzi
• Under 13 Consolation – Winner: Tern Fei Lim • Runner‑Up: Reggie Glazzard

Growth, Diversity, and Next‑Level Coaching

The club continues to thrive, with rising membership and a strong focus on inclusivity. Plans are underway to bring in guest coach—Des Douglas after a recent successful training day with Craig Bryant.  These elite coaching opportunities promise to enhance technique, motivation, and inspiration for members of all ages.

Further recognition has arrived: Tamworth TTC has been selected as a host venue for the upcoming Junior British Clubs League, highlighting its growing reputation and continued dedication to developing young talent in table tennis.

Looking Ahead

From the closure of its long-time home to reclaiming its place as a key venue for junior tournaments, Tamworth Table Tennis Club has demonstrated resilience, ambition, and community spirit. With full ownership of essential equipment, professional coaching on the horizon, and national competitions on its calendar, the club is positioned for a bright future.

The club has 5 regular coaches, including; Dawn, Chris Evans, Rob Sheldon, Andy Jackson, Di St Ledger & Rhys Williams, but they do call in help from players to aid with feeding etc.

Contact & Sessions
The club continues to offer Saturday junior coaching sessions (£4 per person) at Kingsbury Sports and Community Centre:

• Beginners: 10:30–12:00
• Advanced: 12:00–13:30 (invitation)

If you would like to know more, you can email Dawn directly [email protected]

Vision for Junior Table Tennis: The Next 12 Months

Dawn said

“With our new funding and equipment secured, we’re ready to elevate our junior table tennis programme over the next 12 months. Our core focus will be on delivering high-quality coaching sessions that not only develop talented players but also establish our club as a recognised hub for junior table tennis excellence.

We aim for steady, sustainable growth, actively encouraging more young people from the local area to discover and join our sport. In parallel, we’re committed to nurturing our existing talent, specifically by training up promising 16-year-olds to become qualified coaches. This initiative will not only enhance their CVs and broaden their life choices but also strengthen our coaching infrastructure for the future.

Ultimately, we envision a thriving junior section where quality coaching, player development, and community engagement are at the forefront, creating a lasting legacy for table tennis in our area.”

Tamworth Table Tennis Club is proving that with determination, community backing, and a passion for inclusivity, sporting traditions can be not only preserved—but elevated.