TT Kidz helps children build confidence and make friends, while feeling a sense of achievement as their skills develop.

The initiative is our programme to give 7-to-11-year-olds a fun and inspiring introduction to table tennis – but it is so much more than that.

Lauren Evans, who leads on TT Kidz for Table Tennis England, said: “The emphasis is on creating a pathway where every child can have fun and progress at their own pace.

“It means children can come from any background and have any level of ability and still be sure to enjoy a modern, fun programme.

“We’re aiming to give children a positive first experience of our sport. Playing a sport like table tennis gives children confidence, a sense of achievement, and it helps them with a sense of belonging and somewhere to connect with their friends and family.”

TT Kidz allows children to progress through four levels – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Graduate, giving them the skills, confidence and knowledge to transition into other table tennis sessions at their club and continue playing regularly.

Meanwhile, our beginner-friendly programme gives parents, guardians and carers a simple and reassuring way to introduce their children to table tennis, with a clear route into club membership.

“The programme recognises that children start at different levels and progress at different speeds,” said Lauren. “It provides an opportunity for them to progress with confidence and learn in their own time.

“The sessions will be delivered by coaches and activators, and at the end of each level that kids complete, whether that’s Bronze, Silver, Gold or Graduate, they will receive a certificate.

“Every little bit of achievement, we want to celebrate that. We want to make children feel good and we want them to keep motivated to come back to sessions in the future.”

Coaches and parents were impressed with what they saw during recent TT Kidz Festivals which we organised around the country to showcase the programme.

Lead Coach Pete Barrow, who ran a TT Kidz activity and filming day at the home of Tamworth TTC in Kingsbury, said: “The thing I really enjoyed is that a lot of the kids didn’t know each other before they came here, and they just got on.

“Due to the exercises, they’ve made friends, they started working together. They talk to them during the breaks, and I just love the whole social building that they’ve done between them.”

Dale Ajeto from the Wensum club in Norfolk, which also hosted a Festival, said: “There’s so much scope in the activities and a whole range of skills, and it seems to be a fun way of doing it.

“They’re getting something different every 15 minutes or so. They’re all on the go all the time and nobody’s gone and sat on the side and said, ‘I’m bored’, it’s absolutely brilliant.”

Rahul Naresh from the Table Tennis England Development team, said: “Like any sport, table tennis participation is good for children because it helps in holistic development from making friends, becoming more sociable, your communication skills improve.

“TT Kidz will also help support kids into the wider table tennis community. This can potentially help them become future young leaders, volunteers, players, coaches and support clubs and the wider ecosystem in general. The long-term benefit of playing a sport like table tennis is massive.”

For more information about TT Kidz for your child, including FAQs, click below.