A Year of Achievements and Community Engagement in North Wales
Table Tennis Wales is excited to share the remarkable progress and achievements we have made in North Wales over this academic year. Our efforts have significantly impacted local communities, and we are eager to highlight the various initiatives we have undertaken.
Our Regional Officer, Aaron Beech, runs through them below…
Festivals at Yale Coleg Cambria, Northop and Deeside Leisure Centre
This year, we successfully organised four festivals at Yale Coleg Cambria in collaboration with P.E. teachers and promoted through Active Wrexham. These events were delivered by myself and the GCSE College students as part of their main project, with additional support from Active Wrexham and local coaches. Targeted at local primary schools in Wrexham, we provided a fun and engaging experience with multiple games for 310 children at Yale Coleg Cambria.
In addition to the festivals in Wrexham, I have also delivered festivals at Deeside Leisure Centre and Northop, working with Aura Leisure and local coaches. These events included festivals for local primary schools and competitions for high schools, further expanding our reach and engagement with the youth.
Taster Sessions Across North Wales
In addition to the festivals, I have delivered numerous taster sessions in primary schools across Flintshire, Clwyd, Denbigh, Conwy, Caernarfon, and Anglesey. These sessions have allowed us to engage with over 2000 youngsters, introducing them to the joys of table tennis and fostering a love for the sport.
Food and Fun Programme
Following the success of last year’s Food and Fun programme, I am thrilled to be booked up for delivering sessions in schools near Yale College community, Ewloe TTC, Northop TTC, Rhyl TTC, and Trinity TTC. This initiative continues to provide valuable opportunities for children to stay active and enjoy healthy activities during the school holidays.
North Wales Academy and Regional Sessions
For the past nine months, I have been dedicated to delivering sessions at the North Wales Academy and regional training sessions. This has allowed me to support local clubs more effectively and nurture young talent in the region. Our efforts have been bolstered by the tremendous support from local coaches.
County Training and Selection Days
Working with the North Wales Counties, I have led multiple county training and selection days, ensuring a robust and competitive environment for our athletes. The commitment and enthusiasm from our local coaches have been instrumental in the success of these events.
Partnership with Disability Sport Wales
An important partner in our efforts has been Disability Sport Wales. This year, we have delivered table tennis at every event in North Wales, promoting inclusivity and accessibility in sports. We are actively signposting players to local clubs and are on the lookout for our next Paralympian, fostering a supportive environment for athletes with disabilities.
Collaboration with Bangor University
TTW is also working closely with Bangor University, nurturing our new relationship. We have already held two significant events there: the Veterans Team Championships and the inaugural Bangor Open. Additionally, I have supported two all-sports events at the university, which aim to get children active during their holidays. These events are relatively inexpensive for youngsters and represent a fantastic initiative from Bangor University.
Engaging New Groups: Girl Guides and Boy Scouts
We have also sought to access new groups of youngsters by delivering sessions for Girl Guides and Boy Scouts. These sessions have been very popular, and we are keen to run more in the future. This initiative has allowed us to reach a broader audience and inspire a new generation of table tennis enthusiasts.
In summary, our initiatives in North Wales have made a substantial impact on the community, promoting physical activity and fostering a love for table tennis among youngsters. I look forward to continuing our work and furthering our reach in the coming months.