Do you know a club that is committed to offering everyone opportunities in table tennis?
Whether it’s participating in local competitions, organizing sessions for community members new to the sport, or enabling members to train as coaches or referees, clubs play a huge role in both the ‘now’ and the future of the sport.
We’re looking for nominations for Club of the Year in the Cloudathlete Pride of Table Tennis Awards, which are open now.
Perhaps the club you have in mind is doing a similar job to last year’s winners: Kelham Island TTC in Sheffield.
Founders Simon Athey and Liam Bardell launched the club in January 2023 from a room in Liam’s cafe at Kelham Island Museum. They reached some of the most marginalized and vulnerable groups within their community and quickly built a thriving and diverse club.
As well as providing opportunities to play for the refugee community, children and young people with additional needs and LGBTQ+ groups, among others, the club also competes in local leagues and has run free TT Kidz sessions for young people from disadvantaged areas.
Founder and director Simon Athey said: “We are still focused on providing free table tennis for our community and we continue to host a range of group sessions for disabled or vulnerable young people, along with our Bat and Chat session which continues to be very popular, as well as our New Beginnings session for refugees.
“We have recently added a new group, a charity called SHASBAH (Sheffield Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus) and we are also currently working on setting up a Parkinson’s session.
“Winning the Pride of TT Club of the Year award was not only a proud moment and a big surprise, but also a great boost for everyone involved.
“I look forward to continuing the work we are doing and meeting many new faces who will hopefully join us on this journey.”
Club of the Year nominees don’t have to be new clubs – they can be long-established clubs that continue to drive participation and competition opportunities.
If you know of clubs that deserve recognition, please nominate them before January 12.
There are 11 other categories in the Cloudathlete Pride of Table Tennis Awards, including officials, schools, leagues, coaches and more, including Volunteer of the Year and Young Volunteer of the Year awards.
Receive your nominations now!
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