Table Tennis
With thanks to Table Tennis England for the use of this video.
Table tennis used to be seen as a sport you played in the holidays for fun. It still is a fantastic sport if you’re just having some time hanging out with your friends. However, it’s also an Olympic sport and is getting extra press because Will Bayley, the paralympic table tennis gold medallist, is a contestant on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing so hopefully more people will get interested in the sport.
Visit www.tabletennisengland.co.uk and click on either ‘Find places to play’ or ‘Get my kid playing’ for next steps.
There are leagues across the country for National Cadet level U15 and Junior League U18 as well as competitions for U11s and older.
With thanks to Table Tennis England for the use of this video.
Luckily for our readers, Table tennis England launched a new initiative called TTKidz for 7-11 year on National Table Tennis Day, Thursday July 18.
It’s an eight-week programme developed by Table Tennis England to provide an inspiring and fun first experience in the game in clubs and schools across the country.
To find out more about TT Kidz, or to make a booking, visit https://ttkidz.co.uk
With thanks to Table Tennis England for the use of this video.
We were lucky enough to speak to Maria Tsaptsinos, our current national women’s champion.
Commonwealth Games Medals: 1 x bronze (Team 2018)
National Championships: Under-14 Girls’ Singles (2010/11); Cadet Girls’ Singles (2011/12); Junior Girls’ Doubles (2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15); Junior Girls’ Singles (2014/15); Under-21 Women’s Singles (2013/14, 2015/16); Women’s Singles (2018/19), Women’s Doubles (2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19)
Table tennis is seen by many kids as something to play for fun. When did you realise you could compete in it?
I was around 10 years old and in my last year of primary school when I picked up a bat for the first time. I practiced once or twice a week for around 6 months before I went to my first ever local competition. I attended many local competitions in the first few years of playing alongside the occasional national championships. I think during this period of time I realised I enjoyed competing in table tennis.
Did you play lots of other sports as well?
When I first started playing table tennis I was also actively playing two other sports competitively (football and tennis). I was about 15 years old when I had to finally drop my last other sport (football) but at that stage I was playing regularly at international competitions so it felt natural to let it go.
How often do you need to train?
Currently at professional level in normal season time I’m training between 28-35 hours a week. However, between the ages of 15-21 I was still in full time education so trained between 10-18 hours a week.
What kind of training do you do?
There are many ways I train for competitive table tennis. A lot of hours on the table working on technical aspects of the game. This includes regular drills and footwork exercises to maximise my performance. Away from the table I also train in the gym to ensure my stamina is good enough to sustain playing long and multiple matches. Gym exercises are also a good way for me to improve my speed around the court.
How fast can the ball travel?
Table Tennis is one of the fastest ball sports in the world, the speed at which the ball travels vary but between 25mph and 90mph.
Is the table you play on the same size as a non professional table?
Yes, all the tables in local facilities have the same dimensions as professional tables.
Where have you travelled to compete?
Over 40 countries and in 5 continents. Notably Australia, Nigeria, India and United States of America.
What’s your next big competition?
Hopefully, if selected, Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifications.
How would you advise someone who loves playing for fun to take it to the next level?
I would advise that they join their local club and take advantage of the numerous opportunities the club offers. It is worth checking if your own school has any table tennis facilities that you can use or if they have any
contacts to local clubs. Local clubs can help you improve and take your game to the next level.
What about someone who has never played table tennis before?
There are so many available tables around the country, go and try for free and if you enjoy it then join your local club!! I would highly recommend it. It’s good place to make friends, keep fit and have a lot of fun!!
With thanks to Table Tennis England for the use of this video.
We also spoke to Will Bayley on his paralympic success. You can find out moreabout para table tennis at https://www.britishparatabletennis.com/
Hi Will, you have achieved so much in your career so far, when did you first start playing table tennis?
When I was seven years old I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and my grandmother bought me a table tennis table as I loved sport and it was something I could play while I was having treatment.
Were you very good straight away?
No I wasn’t. I wasn’t very co-ordinated and I found the spin on the ball was difficult but I really enjoyed it so I persevered.
How hard have you had to train to reach World Number 1?
Very hard. I train for six hours a day plus work on strength and conditioning and in the gym. It’s a sport that you need to train hard to develop the skills to need to play at the highest level.
What has been the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?
Overcoming my disability and illness then being reclassified have been massive challenges. I was born with arthrogryphosis which affects all my limbs and I underwent numerous operations at Great Ormond Street Hospital from the age of three months old. When I started playing competitively I was classified in class 6 but in 2007, the year before the Paralympic Games in Beijing, I was reclassified as a class 7 which is for players with a lesser impairment. I was told that I would never be able to compete in class 7 because of my disability so I was determined to prove everyone wrong.
Do you have a special pre match routine?
Not really. I practice for around 30 minutes and try to keep it fun and relaxed. I don’t put pressure on myself or my practice partner so we both enjoy it.
You won Gold at the Rio Paralympic Games – does that make it your favourite competition?
Definitely - The Paralympics is such a massive event and it is so amazing to be part of it.
You are inspiring the next generation to compete in and watch para sport – how does that feel?
It feels great – the Paralympic movement has got bigger and bigger and in Tokyo it will go up another level again and it is exciting to be part of that.
What advice would you give kids about getting involved in Para table tennis.
You’ve got to enjoy what you do and have fun with it. Be patient as it takes skill so you need to practice and don’t be too hard on yourself if you are not very good when you first start. Give it a go- you can play in a wheelchair or standing so it is a great sport for the able bodied and disabled.
How did it feel when you found out you had been awarded an MBE?
It was a real honour and I had an amazing day when I went to Buckingham Palace and received my MBE from Prince William. We talked about table tennis and he told me that the Duchess of Cambridge plays.
