How Rhondda TTC have nurtured a pathway for young players 

Just one of the table tennis clubs across Wales to have a rich history in nurturing young talent, Rhondda Table Tennis Club works hard to encourage participation in the sport at all ages and abilities within its local community. 

Excellence, inclusivity and community are core values in the club’s ethos, as it strives to provide a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. 

Developing young people with those principles of hard work and togetherness not only helps the club produce top players, but also well-rounded individuals in wider life. 

We recently spoke to Norman Jenkins from the club, who is passionate about engaging younger players and providing the opportunity for them to experience the benefits of playing the sport from a young age.  

“Early engagement in the sport helps develop their physical skills, hand-eye coordination, and mental sharpness,” he told us. “More importantly, it instils values such as discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. 

“Starting young allows players to build a strong foundation, which is crucial for their long-term development and success in the sport. 

“Youth engagement is at the heart of Rhondda Table Tennis Club,” he confirmed. 

“We believe that nurturing young talent is key to the club’s long-term success. By actively engaging young players, we ensure a continuous influx of new talent, which keeps the club vibrant and competitive.” 

To support this, Rhondda TTC run programmes targeted at younger players and undertake school visits to engage youngsters in the community.  

“Our youth programmes are designed not only to develop their skills but also to foster a love for the sport that will keep them playing for years to come,” Norman explained. 

“And the idea behind our school visits is to introduce table tennis to a broader audience and to inspire young children to take up the sport.” 

Rhondda TTC’s school engagement provides kids with the opportunity to get involved with interactive sessions in which they get hands-on experience of the game. 

“We provide basic coaching, organise mini-tournaments, and share the exciting aspects of table tennis.  

“The goal is to spark their interest and show them the fun and benefits of playing the sport. By engaging with local primary schools, it gives the children a better chance of being successful in the sport as they have more time to practice and learn new skills.” 

The club’s dedication is reflected in the high engagement it receives in these sessions. 

“Children are naturally curious and eager to try new activities. We see a lot of enthusiasm and participation during these sessions,” Norman told us.  

“Many of the kids we interact with express a strong interest in continuing to play table tennis, and a significant number of them end up joining our club. These school visits have been very successful in attracting new young members to Rhondda TTC and I constantly send out flyers and posters which include having the first week for free.” 

The commitment and desire to attract new, young people into the sport is evident in Rhondda Table Tennis Club’s excellent work in the community.  

And that work has paid dividends for the club over the years, as it has enjoyed success on multiple platforms in the sport. 

“It is incredibly rewarding to see young players from our club achieve success at competitions and be selected for national squads,” Normand commented.  

“Rhondda Table Tennis Club has a proud history of producing Welsh and British champions, as well as players who are ranked at World and European levels. Additionally, our players have won Commonwealth medals! 

“It brings immense pride and joy to see our players excel and represent our club at higher levels. Their success also serves as an inspiration to other young players in the club. 

“Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, the quality of our coaching, and the supportive environment we provide. 

“It’s a direct reflection of the dedication and effort put in by the coaches and volunteers at Rhondda Table Tennis Club. It showcases our commitment to developing talent and providing the best possible training and support.  

“The success of our players highlights the effectiveness of our programmes and the collaborative effort of everyone involved in the club. It validates the hard work we all put in and motivates us to continue striving for excellence.” 

If you would like to get involved at Rhondda TTC or any other club across Wales, don’t hesitate to find your nearest one here!