How Gwent TTC thrives in the local community
Following the merger of Eastern Valley and Newport Table Tennis Clubs – two long-established clubs with a history of over 100 years – Gwent Table Tennis Club was formed in 2019.
Since then, the club has proved hugely popular in the community, with its membership numbers continuously growing week to week.
This success, according to Mike Watts, comes down to a range of factors.
The club prides itself on offering a warm welcome to everyone, regardless of experience or ability. Gwent TTC provides first-class facilities to anyone and everyone who wishes to participate in the sport.
“It’s a community sports club where everyone is made to feel welcome and treated equally,” Mike explained, “where skills can be enhanced, and friends made.”
The opportunities and provisions are crucial to the club’s success. Ex-international and European Veteran champion Mike Marsden is a professional coach at the club, providing group and individual coaching sessions for members.
“This plays a key part in our strategy of attracting new players of all ages, especially the young,” Mike stated. “Providing house coaching to all beginners ensures new players are taught the fundamentals, something we believe is vital to retain and grow our membership. Attracting new young players into the sport is critical for its future.”
The growing membership has allowed the club to develop competitive teams, with 11 teams entered into the Welsh National Team Championships earlier this year. Over 40 players from the club were represented.
“Our members participate in competitions across the country and represent Wales at the Home Nations Championships,” Mike also told us.
The Gwent Open Championship has also become a feature of the calendar.
“For the past two years, we have been very proud to have hosted the Gwent Open Championship.
“In 2023, we had 117 entries, and in 2024 we had 132 entries.”
Of course, all of this continued growth and success would simply not be possible without the work of volunteers like Mike.
“Our club is administered by a small management committee, all of whom are volunteers,” he explained. “We do this for the benefit of the sport and, hopefully, to create a table tennis legacy for future generations.
“Our volunteer base is small but loyal, and without them the club would not survive,” he concluded. “We wish to recognise their help and thank them for their continued support.”
To learn more about Gwent TTC and to find other clubs near you, visit our Find a Club webpage here.