Table tennis, TT or even ping pong really is a sport for all; whatever age or ability, there are benefits for everyone. Playing is a great way of staying fit, meeting new friends and has even been proven to help with dementia.
How many knew that table tennis in Worksop is thriving? There is a competitive local league with three divisions based on ability and numerous clubs playing socially as well as within the league.
One such club, Blitz Redlands TTC (formally Redlands TTC) is based at Redlands School on Crown Street. They are the sister club to Blitz Gainsborough.
The club is a purpose-built centre attached to the school and has been producing league, county, national and international players for over 25 years, most noticeably Olympian and World bronze medallist Sam Walker.
Currently they have five teams playing in the Worksop league, with at least one in each division. There is also plenty of room for more should the need arise.
The club is open on Tuesdays between 6.00pm and 7.30pm for junior (under 18) coaching, run by coaches Paul Johnson and Amy Gittings, and then from 7.30pm to 9.00pm it is open for all to play.
Thursdays are match nights, but there are always spare tables for anyone just wanting to have a casual hit. On Saturdays the club is open between 9.00am and 1.00pm again for casual play or, if you feel energetic, Head Coach Paul is usually doing one-to-one multiball coaching all morning.
All sessions and matches are £4.00 per person payable on the day, and you can play as long you want.
The club also has a team in the senior British League for any high adult level players who want to test themselves on a national level, as well as a team in the National Junior (under 18) League and three teams in the National Cadet (under 15) League. There are fantastic entry level national events for aspiring players.
So, no matter if you want to play casually or you’re an aspiring Olympian, why not give them a try?
For more information visit the Blitz Redlands Facebook page or www.blitzttc.co.uk/redlands-table-tennis-centre-worksop.