Fast, Fun, cheap and accessible-table tennis is the world’s most popular racket sport with over 40 million players worldwide.Below, Richard pettit, National Communications Officer, explains how the English Table Tennis Association is reaching out to schools, and he encourages everyone to get involved.

Nine thousand revolutions per minute, over 100 mph, 0-60 in the blink of an eye...l you might think these figures belong exclusively to the lucrative world of Grand Prix racing, but you’d be wrong. These speeds can be achieved with just a bat, a ball and a table. Table tennis can provide significant intellectual as well as aerobic activity. The many variables involved in the game of table tennis are the key to its success and make it an excellent sport for school. It is an ideal game through which to help children develop the generic skills involved in a whole range of sports - reacting to the opponent’s movement, spin and pace, hand-eye co-ordinatation, team play and the application of tactics, for example. A table tennis lesson also incorporates basic numeracy skills and helps develop a student’s confidence. Anywhere, anytime and with anyone is a strong statement, but one which is true of table tennis. It is not dependent on weather conditions and seasons, it lends itself to team and individual play and provides an excellent medium for players of all levels and abilities to compete and learn at their own pace.

Table tennis also has Olympic and Paralympic status and a universally accepted rule structure. One common misconception is that to start table tennis within schools you need a table tennis table. Strange though it may sound this isn’t true. There are numerous, practically cost-free ways of getting started. Right now, whilst reading this article - whether in a classroom, at home or even a train - you are likely to be within touching distance of table. All you need now is a piece of of cardboard folded to make a net, a set of table tennis bats and a ball and you’re off - your basic table tennis skills development has begun.

Table tennis has proved to be an excellent sport for schools and is equally popular with both boys and girls. Because the game needs a minimum of personal equipment, is space efficient and has the ability to be played at many skill levels, it is attractive to those students who may not see themselves as especially ‘sporty,’ and who exclude themselves from PE and physical activity. For girls it has the added advantage of being played indoors. Table tennis can therefore help schools to raise standards by developing leadership skills, tackling behaviour management and encouraging positive attitudes to learning.

Accessibility and participation are both buzz words around sport but just how is table tennis aiming to address these issues and become the most popular racket sport in schools?

Development programmes England’s assault on the world of table tennis has for years been dampened by the dominance of China. However, there is now an excellent group of young players coming through the ranks that could and will – with the right support – be world champions and help table tennis to achieve the profile in England it really deserves. However, table tennis is much more than a sport for the elite player and The English Table Tennis Association (ETTA) has in place development programmes to encourage and support all players, including those with disabilities, girls and members of ethnic communities. These programmes also provide training, advice, resources and support to PE staff. In addition the ETTA has achieved both the Anti Racism in Sport Chartermark (Preliminary Level) and the Child Protection in Sport Unit kite mark.

The ETTA provides a high level of sustained support with nine Regional Development Officers who are always keen to help with your table tennis queries and needs – from starting up a small lunchtime activity to developing a fully accredited club. The recent appointment of a new National Club and School Manager will further enhance the Association’s foothold in and support for schools, including the organisation of table tennis competitions.