Bangor Kids table tennis project serves up success!

On Sunday 2 November, Aaron Beech (TTW) delivered an engaging Activators Course for members of the Bangor University Table Tennis Club and two enthusiastic young players, aged 14 and 16.

The course provided participants with essential skills and knowledge to deliver their own table tennis sessions, combining fun, coordination games off the table and technical skill-building on the table. The group showed great enthusiasm throughout the day, finding the course both enjoyable and insightful.

The event took place at Brailsford, with special thanks to Iona for her help in organising the venue and to the staff who ensured everything ran smoothly.

Following the course, the Bangor Kids Table Tennis Sessions were officially launched, supported by club members Abbas and Hanniel. This new initiative from Table Tennis Wales offers an eight-week beginner programme designed to encourage young people to get involved in the sport — all at an affordable rate of just £20.

Developed by Aaron Beech, the programme was first trialled at Yale Coleg Cambria and has now been adapted specifically for Bangor.

The first week saw a fantastic turnout of 10 young participants, the result of extensive outreach across local schools, education boards, community organisations, and social media. Ahead of Week Two, 12 children were registered, and by the second session, 17 youngsters attended, with 15 enrolled on the full programme — a brilliant sign of growing momentum!

Each week focuses on a different theme, including forehands, backhands, serves, pushes, smashes, lobs, and footwork, all delivered through fun, game-based challenges that keep the children active and engaged. The sessions are led by Abbas, Hanniel, and Isaac from the Bangor University Table Tennis Club, alongside Ben Sutcliffe, Head Coach of Amlwch TTC.

Looking ahead, the team aims to continue delivering exciting, high-energy sessions to keep participants returning and to expand the programme further. There’s also growing interest from university students to volunteer in local primary schools — creating valuable community links and encouraging even more young players to pick up a bat and join the fun.

The Bangor Kids project is already proving to be a fantastic success story for table tennis development in North Wales — building skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of the sport!