Table Tennis England and Special Olympics Great Britain have worked together to create a new development plan designed to increase sporting opportunities for children and adults with intellectual (learning) disabilities.
Launched today, the Table tennis development plan strives for:
- Build closer relationships between Special Olympics GB and Table Tennis England accredited clubs
- Develop a stronger competitive path for people with intellectual disabilities
- Help current and potential coaches and match officials upskill by accessing appropriate sport-wide qualifications
“Table tennis is a fantastically inclusive sport, and it is one of our most popular within the Special Olympics GB movement,” said Chris Smith, Head of Sport for Development at Special Olympics GB. “Last year we had around 160 athletes playing the game regularly across 18 clubs, while organizing five competitions and training weekends.
“By working together we can make the game even more accessible and remove barriers to entry. Table Tennis England has the infrastructure and a strong club and coach development network. At Special Olympics GB we bring huge expertise in delivering sport to people with learning disabilities and transforming lives, so it’s a great partnership to build.
“We are very excited to strengthen this relationship with the national governing body and hope to expand and replicate similar models with Table Tennis Scotland and Table Tennis Wales.”
Jenny Leach, Senior Programs and Partnerships Manager at Table Tennis England, said: “We will seek to understand from our coaches what further support they need to provide more accessible and inclusive sessions.
“Ultimately, we want to make table tennis as inclusive as possible, and we look forward to working with Special Olympics GB to grow the game for players with intellectual disabilities of all abilities.”
Table tennis is one of the most popular sports within the Special Olympics GB movement and becomes the second sport to have a formal development plan launched – following the publication of the Tennis Development Plan in partnership with the LTA last month.
As a charity that uses the power of sport to transform the lives of children and adults with learning disabilities, Special Olympics GB develops plans for all its Tier One sports (most popular) in partnership with the relevant national governing bodies and its National sports advisors.
For more information about table tennis within the Special Olympics GB movement, or details about club membership, Click here.
About Special Olympics GB
Special Olympics Great Britain (GB), founded in 1978, is a not-for-profit charity providing year-round sports coaching and athletics competition in summer and winter sports for more than 12,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilitiesj.
That is currently the case 98 accredited programs in England, Scotland and Wales and offers coaching and competition opportunities in 27 sports. These programs are run by nearly 6,000 volunteers.
Special Olympics GB is more than just an opportunity to take part in sport – it changes lives. It provides opportunities to increase self-confidence, realize potential, develop physical fitness and mental well-being, demonstrate courage and experience new friendships.
Special Olympics GB’s work is currently funded by donations from private individuals, trusts and companies, and financial support is vital to enable us to continue our work.
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