Volunteering superstars from across the country have been honoured in the Area stage of the Pride of Table Tennis Awards 2026.

Today we name our Area winners in four categories – Coach of the Year, Club of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Young Volunteer of the Year.

They were chosen from more than 110 nominations for the Pride of Table Tennis Awards, which aim to honour those volunteers who give their time and enthusiasm to help others enjoy our sport.

The winners will now join the nominees in the other eight categories in being considered by the National judging panel, who will decide the overall winners.

All those shortlisted for the National awards will be invited to a special reception during the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals London 2026 and have the chance to watch England in action.

The Area winners are:

East
Coach of the Year: Kelsey Fordham (Norwich City TTC)
Volunteer of the Year: Kin Tam Lit (Leighton Buzzard TTC)
Young Volunteer of the Year: Hamza Caratela (Knighton Park TTC)

London
Coach of the Year: Joel Fernandez (Stanmore TTC)
Club of the Year: Stanmore TTC
Volunteer of the Year: Sarah March (Saint Katherine’s Trust and TJTTC)
Young Volunteer of the Year: Kush Thakore (Urban TTC)

North East
Coach of the Year: Peter Thompson (Ping Pong 4U)
Volunteer of the Year: Guilio Pontone (Darlington Academy Hummersknott TTC)

North West
Coach of the Year: Paul Hutchings (Maghull TTC)
Club of the Year: Halton TTC
Volunteer of the Year: Bill Mackie (Great Northern Ping Hub)
Young Volunteer of the Year: Freddie Carroll (Halton TTC)

South East
Coach of the Year: Tony West (Kidlington Forum TTC)
Volunteer of the Year: Trevor Goldsmith (Thanet Vikings TTC)
Young Volunteer of the Year: Joshua Kelly (Waterside TTC)

South West
Club of the Year: St Austell TTC
Volunteer of the Year: Craig Mehew (St Austell TTC)

West
Coach of the Year: Lester Bertie (Continental Stars TTC)
Club of the Year: Birmingham TTA
Volunteer of the Year: Steve Bertie (Continental Stars TTC)
Table Tennis England Area Manager (South West) Amanda Leonard, who leads on the Pride of Table Tennis Awards, said: “The fact we received well over 100 nominations shows how lucky we are to have so many dedicated and passionate people volunteering in our community.

“All of those nominated have made an impact in their Areas, so congratulations to them all and to our Area winners – and thank you for helping our sport to thrive.

“Thank you to the Area Nominations Panels who had the difficult task of selecting winners from among all the amazing nominations – and thanks to all those who made a nomination.”

The full list of 12 categories in the National stage of the awards is:

• Inspirational Story of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Technical Official of the year
• Club of the Year
• League of the Year
• Partner of the Year
• School of the Year
• Level The Table Award
• Contribution to Table Tennis
• Lifetime Achievement Award
• Young Volunteer of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year