The end of the calendar year was a busy one for many clubs and coaches, and none more so than Table Tennis England coach Developers Steve Brunskill and Aad Kwaakelstein who continued to work their way around the country, visiting clubs, coaches and players alike and even delivering CPD sessions. Stay up to date with the latest club visits below.

Shakespeare Primary School – A Budding Hotspot for Table Tennis!

On 28 November, Steve Brunskill visited Shakespeare Primary School in Leeds, with the brilliant Peter Thompson, who runs weekly sessions at the school. The school and its Principal are fully behind table tennis, with outdoor tables, 12 indoor tables, and a hall absolutely buzzing with young players and hopefully some future stars of the game. The standard? Wow! The skill level across the group was impressively consistent, with some outstanding technique and enthusiasm on show. As Steve says, he does not throw the word “talent” around lightly, but the potential in that hall was incredible. In his own words, Steve found himself thinking, “That one could be good… and that one… and that one”

A huge amount of credit goes to Peter. His passion is contagious, and the kids clearly love learning from him. He’s built something really special here. Exciting times ahead for table tennis in Leeds!

Halton TTC Multiball CPD

Steve delivered another CPD multiball course, this time hosted at the brilliant Halton Table Tennis Centre, Widnes, the home of the North West Pathway Development and Regional centre. There were 14 enthusiastic coaches from a variety of clubs based in the North West in attendance, all eager to learn, share ideas, and sharpen their multiball and coaching skills. The energy in the room was fantastic, and it was great to see everyone working together, experimenting, and supporting each other throughout the practical sessions.

A huge thank you to all the coaches who took part, your engagement and passion made the day truly worthwhile. And an equally big thank you to Halton TTC for being outstanding hosts. The facility, the set-up, and the warm welcome were fantastic.

Woodford Wells TTC – Quality Coaching in Action

Down in Woodford Green, Woodford Wells TTC is delivering exactly what competitive players need. Five tables, nine motivated players, and a coaching set-up that gets results from the first rally to the final point.

The session, led by Zoltan Hosszu, began with a warm welcome from both Zoltan and support coach Hayden Gruby. Hayden departed before the session began so he could coach at a different Woodford Wells site, highlighting how the club continues to grow. The collaborative approach between coaches was evident from the start.

What was great to see was the quality sparring from Shaquille and Don – they weren’t just hitting balls back, but actively contributing to each exercise with the right intensity and understanding. All nine players showed excellent motivation and a remarkably good standard throughout the two-hour session.

Zoltan’s exercise design was particularly clever. Starting with shared exercises of 2x topspin, 2x block combinations that evolved to 1x spin, 1x block, then moving to more innovative drills: the brilliant “second bounce” exercise – players were allowed to let the ball bounce twice on their side of the table, giving them extra time to practice their backhand flicks. Once players got comfortable with the technique, the second bounce constraint was removed. From there it moved on to a backhand kick-kick exercise from short serves, and finally the players had the opportunity to set their own exercise. Each drill had clear purpose and progression.

The constraints-led approach worked brilliantly. Simple rules like “out of two serves, one needs to be short” created natural learning opportunities, while the environment kept everyone focused on development. With Zoltan’s experienced leadership, quality sparring partners, and a clear commitment to player growth, Woodford Wells TTC is creating an environment where players genuinely improve their game.

Level 1 Coaching Course Keighley TTC

Steve was very busy in December, amongst his usual club visits, he also helped deliver the first stage of the Level 1 coaching qualification at Keighley Table Tennis Club in Leeds on 29 November. There were a group of 10 attendees, all coming from a variety of backgrounds and with different levels of playing and coaching experience. Despite this mix, the group blended together extremely well, creating a positive and supportive learning environment throughout the day. The centre itself was an excellent venue with plenty of space and good facilities.

Despite battling the elements on a cold Keighley day, the group worked hard, asked thoughtful questions, and showed real enthusiasm for developing their coaching skills. The progress they made was very pleasing, and Steve confidently said they will take what they learned back to their clubs and training groups. Hopefully, with continued practice and refining their new skills, they will be prepared for their assessment in January.

Growing table tennis at Redcar & Cleveland College

Steve has recently been working with Redcar & Cleveland College to help shape their brand-new Table Tennis Academy, a fantastic opportunity for students to study and develop their game in a supportive, structured environment.

The college has also opened its doors to the local community, launching a morning session for players aged 50+, with seven tables in a bright, spacious sports hall; it really is a superb facility for everyone involved. It’s already proving to be a hit, with plenty of table tennis and a great social buzz in the college café afterwards. What’s even more exciting is the college’s Sports Department’s vision for the future. They hope to involve their sports students in running sessions, giving them hands-on experience and hopefully inspiring some of them to take their coaching qualifications. Their sports massage students will also be offering free massages as part of their training, where the table tennis group are more than happy to be the real-life guinea pigs in return for a massage session!

It is brilliant to see education, sport, and community coming together under one roof. Lots more to come from this partnership!

Thriving Table Tennis at Bury St Edmunds TTC!

In Suffolk, Bury St Edmunds TTC is building a truly supportive atmosphere to help juniors flourish, said Aad Kwaakelstein. The Lower Hall at King Edward VI School buzzes with enthusiastic players, guided by coaches who keep everyone motivated and engaged throughout each session. Overseen by John Waters, while Mick Palmer led the advanced session with strong support from Mark and Adam. Their approach was both motivating and dynamic. The junior participants remained fully engaged throughout the two-hour session, benefitting from excellent assistance provided by several helpers, which contributed to an inspiring environment. Terry (recently returned to coaching), Kenny (new to coaching), and Tim supported the newer and younger players. The club demonstrates an inclusive philosophy, balancing grassroots community engagement with talent development, comprising of five U12 players and 19 youth participants

The coaching sessions were organised with clear structure, incorporating set exercises, demonstrations, sparring, and multiball drills. The variety maintained player engagement while offering challenges suited to their respective skill levels. Although the club encounters the typical challenge of encouraging young athletes to participate in competitions, the coaches are proactively fostering interest in these competitive opportunities.

The club’s philosophy is evident: it prioritises enjoyment over performance, emphasises inclusivity, and fosters a supportive environment where members assist one another. This approach aligns well with recognised standards for junior development. With the overall organisation from John Waters, plus the energy and commitment shown by the others in the coaching team, Bury St Edmunds TTC is building something special in Suffolk table tennis.