Everything you need to know about this innovative programme to encourage new players to join a league.

A common phrase said by players who may be new to the formal side of the game having recently joined a club.

Richard Ramsden Head Coach at Kennet Vale near Marlborough in Wiltshire has been working hard to grow Table Tennis across the area and was faced with this issue. Kennet Vale TTC has grown from 50 to 100 members, which includes 60 juniors.

In response to the problem of new players reluctant to join the league, Richard devised a 4 week pre-league training programme. The programme involved 8 hours of demystifying league games, and coaching the key skills which are ideal for those embarking on their 1st season in the league. The main goal was confidence building.

In the summer of 2024, Richard ran the programme for the first time, in the 2024 /25 season the Club entered a further 3 teams in the Devizes League.

A stand out achievement from the programme has been built on the success of a weekly women’s table tennis session which was started at the end of 2023. Seven women were newly recruited to the league though the training prgramme. Kennet Vale is proud of having the only all women team in the league.

Richard has kindly offered to share the format and content of his Pre-League Training Programme. If any clubs wish to add it to their spring and summer programme, you can find the programme below.

Special thanks to Richard Ramsden and Kennet Vale TTC for sharing this well thought through and effective programme.

Richard has been nominated by his Club Chairperson for cloudathlete Pride of Table Tennis Volunteer of the Year, for his commitment and talents, growing table tennis at Kennet Vale and helping to galvanise a wider table tennis community.

We would love to hear what you think of the programme and if you think that it would work for your club or league.

If you have any questions, comments or have a great project that you would like to raise awareness of please get in touch.

Back to the South West February Blog, which includes upcoming courses, pride awards and much more from across the South West.