This month, the Cornwall Table Tennis Partnership was proud to host the Cornwall South Community Area Partnership (CAP) at the St Austell Table Tennis Club.

Players from clubs from across the county came together to put on a vibrant demonstration — from talented juniors to experienced veterans — showcasing just how dynamic, healthy, and socially engaging our sport can be.

Around 30 people attended, including Town, Parish and County Councillors, partners from Active Cornwall, the police, and health organisations. Some councillors even picked up a bat and had a go themselves — proving that table tennis really is a sport for all.

This was more than just a friendly exhibition: table tennis is often played behind closed doors, so events like this are vital for helping people see the energy, skill, and community spirit the sport brings. It’s a sport that not only improves physical and mental health, but also has the power to reduce social isolation by bringing people together across generations.

For those unfamiliar, the Community Area Partnership (CAP) brings together local authorities, partner agencies, and community groups to share ideas, set priorities, and unlock opportunities. Their work helps open doors, connect initiatives, and drive positive change across Cornwall.

One highlight of the day was meeting Sarah Preece, Cornwall Council’s Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Localism and Planning, with policy and budget responsibilities across many areas including Leisure Services. She was hugely impressed with the intergenerational nature of our club and the high-quality facility.

So lovely to connect and hear about all your good rok. I was genuinely inspired. I am particularly struck by the intergenerational aspect, embedding leadership and the Ping Mind model of Sports Psychology to build skills and health resilience.

Sarah Preece – Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Localism and Planning

The CAP has already shown its commitment to the area by supporting the funding application for Ping Mind — a national pilot project in St Austell which uses table tennis and sports psychology to boost young people’s mental health — with an incredible £22,000 investment.

The meeting also set an important goal: to prioritise health and healthy activity in the future planning cycle. Strong connections were made, reputations were strengthened, and we’ve laid the groundwork for even greater support for table tennis in Cornwall in the years ahead.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part — from players to partners — for helping us share the joy and benefits of table tennis with the wider community.
And a special thanks to Sarah Scoltock of Cornwall Council, whose enthusiasm for taking the CAP into community settings is helping to make events like this possible.

Thank you for making Wednesday’s partnership meeting a success. Hopefully we have have created a greater awareness of Cornwall Table Tennis Centre and the magic that happens there!

Sarah Scoltock – Community Link Officer

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