As the association draws to the end of its centenary year, the Isle of Wight is delighted to have entered a team of seven players in the Senior British League for the first time.

In particular, the Island is pleased to include in their SBL team, three of its younger players – a credit to their excellent coaching system.

The three youngsters are (above, from left) 21-year-old Hugh Idle (Isle of Wight Men’s champion) and 17-year-olds Lewis Johnstone and Ryan Cates. Both Lewis and Ryan reached the finals of the English Leagues Cup Competitions tournament in June.

All three players have come through the Island’s coaching system and are improving all the time. The four other Island players are Tim Giles, Alex Rorke, Scott Lawson and Paul Rainford.

Isle of Wight Table Tennis Association chairman, Alex Rorke, said: “The SBL is the natural next step above local league play. We are pleased to enter this national competition and delighted to include (on merit) three of our young players. This undoubtedly helps to raise the profile of Isle of Wight table tennis, especially in our centenary year.”

The second weekend of SBL this weekend will see the Island’s first team in action in Division National C (5) and the second team in National C (7).