I was recently approached by the Civil Service Table Tennis Club in Bristol to host a special coaching afternoon for women and girls – an opportunity to introduce new players to the sport whilst supporting those who are already developing their skills. The session was widely advertised, and as we had no idea how many people would attend, we were delighted to welcome 36 women and girls aged from 8 to 70.
The group was wonderfully diverse. Some participants were complete beginners, including one player who picked up a bat for the very first time. Others had been playing at a lower competitive level for a few years. A number of attendees had even traveled more than an hour and a half to participate, demonstrating the need for more women and girls-focused opportunities in table tennis.
Throughout the afternoon I guided players through the fundamentals of the technique, from understanding the correct grip and posture to learning the forehand and backhand strokes. We continued with service and reception, before finishing with a light-hearted but competitive match game that brought many smiles (and a few friendly rivalries).
What really made the event special was the atmosphere. Women and girls who arrived as strangers quickly connected, supported each other, and left as friends. It was empowering to see the confidence and enjoyment grow at each table – and especially meaningful to deliver the session as a female coach, with representation that is still rare in our sport.
The success of the afternoon has already generated interest in future events, and I am excited to continue working with the Civil Service Table Tennis Club. I would like to say a huge thank you to the club for inviting me, and I look forward to organizing more sessions with them in the near future.
Special thanks to Emma Harradine for the article and for inspiring women and girls to take up the sport. You can find out more about Emma and her table tennis life www.emmattcoach.co.uk
Special thanks also to the team at Bristol Civil Service Sports Club Table Tennis Club for organizing the event. Link to the Bristol Civil Service Sports Club Table Tennis Website
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