Anna Hursey’s Triumph Fuels Optimism in GB Table Tennis Pathway

Anna Hursey’s remarkable performance in the European Under-21 Championships has underscored her position as one of the brightest talents in table tennis while also highlighting the momentum building within the GB table tennis programme.

In Bratislava, Hursey won both singles and doubles gold, marking her fifth consecutive tournament victory since early April, including a win at the WTT Feeder Manchester event.

Her achievements follow a series of impressive results for the GB squad, with Liam Pitchford, Paul Drinkhall, and Sam Walker also securing gold in Manchester, while Connor Green and Sophie Earley claimed silver medals. The Elite Training Centre in Sheffield, now a hive of activity and optimism, is fostering a new era of success for British table tennis.

The GB programme, headquartered at EIS Sheffield, consolidates top talent and expertise from all Home Nations. Led by Gavin Evans, Director of Performance Development, and Head Coach John Murphy, the programme is managed by Table Tennis England as the designated Home Nation, with the primary objective of securing Great Britain’s first Olympic table tennis medal.

Gavin Evans emphasized the significance of Hursey’s trust in the programme, stating: “With the new structured pathway we have created to bring alignment across Great Britain, it enables greater performance, and the new centre supports athletes to be truly professional.

“Anna’s placed her trust in the GB programme and the programme we have set for her, and it’s given her the confidence to go out and perform.

“Table Tennis Wales have also trusted the programme and have enabled GB to run Anna’s programme. When the Home Nations work together and are aligned and trust each other to deliver in their space of expertise, you can get amazing results.

“Anna’s success is testament to the work she’s done and the team has done – and it is a team effort, with the sports psychology and strength and conditioning support in our partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, and Justin the physio has been brilliant.”

 

Owen Rodgers, CEO of Table Tennis Wales, echoed these sentiments: ““I’m 100 per cent behind what Gavin and the performance team are doing and it’s proving to be very successful.

“The continuity of coaching is key and producing amazing results for Wales and Great Britain.”

Gavin believes further success is within reach and that Anna will inspire the other athletes in the pathway.

“I genuinely believe Anna has all the ingredients in her game and set-up to be a European Senior champion and win a World Championship medal one day,” he said.

“It’s also exciting that she’s got three more goes at this competition (the European Under-21s), and Connor Green has as well – he reached the last 16 in the singles and was very close to winning a medal in the doubles.

“What Anna is doing is giving belief to other athletes coming through. She leads from the front with incredible professional behaviours – we’re lucky to have such a professional athlete leading the way for the other athletes coming through.

“To have an under-21 double European champion in the programme gives that belief. It shows that if you’re committed to the programme and you are professional and believe in yourself, everything is possible.”