Do you know a club which is committed to providing opportunities for all in table tennis?

Whether it is competing in local leagues, staging sessions for members of the community not previously engaged in the sport, or enabling members to train as coaches or umpires, clubs play a huge role both in the ‘now’ and the future of the sport.

We are looking for nominations for Club of the Year in the Cloudathlete Pride of Table Tennis Awards, which are open now.

Perhaps the club you have in mind does similar good work to last year’s winners – Kelham Island TTC in Sheffield.

Founders Simon Athey and Liam Bardell launched the club in January 2023 from a room at the café owned by Liam at Kelham Island Museum. They reached out to some of the most marginalised and vulnerable groups within their community and quickly built a thriving and diverse club.

As well as providing opportunities to play for the refugee community, children and young people with additional needs, and LGBTQ+ groups, among others, the club also competes in the local league and has organised TT Kidz sessions free of charge for young people from deprived areas.

Founder and Director Simon Athey said: “We are still focused on providing free table tennis for our community and we continue to host various group sessions for disabled or vulnerable young people, along with our Bat and Chat session which is still very popular, as is our New Beginnings session for Refugees.

“We have recently added a new group, a charity called SHASBAH (Sheffield Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus) and we are currently also working to create a Parkinson’s session.

“Winning the Pride of TT Club of the Year award was not only proud moment and a big surprise, but a great boost for everyone involved. 

“I look forward continuing with the work we do and look forward to meeting many new faces who will hopefully be joining us on this journey.” 

Nominees for Club of the Year don’t have to be new clubs – they could be long-standing ones which continue to drive participation and competition opportunities.

If you know any clubs which 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, 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!