How volunteers have driven youth engagement at Mackintosh TTC

Mackintosh Table Tennis Club has been a hub of the sport in Cardiff for over a century, and to this day still thrives. 

With a solid core membership base, engagement has spiked at the club over the past couple of years as emphasis was placed on attracting youth players.  

Evident demand highlighted by the Sport Wales’ School Sport Survey has allowed Table Tennis Wales to work alongside clubs to ensure that children are provided with the opportunity to give our great sport a go.  

And in Mackintosh TTC’s case, it’s been a great success as the club has even had to expand to the Sport Wales national centre’s main hall to accommodate the interest. 

“There’s a real core of school children now,” explained Mackintosh TTC Chair Steve Eades, “with around 20 kids regularly attending sessions. 

“It started two years ago and it’s now progressing, and we just need to keep supporting it. When it first started off, we didn’t think that it was going to evolve into what it is now, and we’re still amazed that so many kids keep coming!”  

It means Mackintosh regularly have between 40 and 50 people turning up to take part over a two-hour period.  

With TTW granting the club regional club development status, there has been a more structured approach to coaching while still ensuring that the atmosphere remains friendly and encouraging.   

“The kids are the next generation,” Steve told us. “We’re delighted to be part of the journey for kids to get into the table tennis pathway. We now fill a gap for junior players who are not quite good enough to get into the pathway straight away”. “But we still try not to make things too formalised. We try and keep the focus on playing table tennis for enjoyment.” 

Mackintosh TTC has exciting plans for the near future, however, in creating further opportunities for youth players to thrive.  

As well as expanding the facility and provision, the hugely positive engagements and feedback from the kids have inspired the club to look at setting up a Junior League from Sophia Gardens.  

“Two Junior Leagues for the kids to play in will hopefully do even more to complement their development moving forward and give them even more interest.” 

The club is in a good place to kick on and garner further interest now. Grants have also allowed Mackintosh to invest in a range of new equipment – from new tables to a robot, which has proved an absolute hit with the children – which, as Steve explained, has “allowed the club to have a sustainable platform to move forward from.” 

And all of the work that has gone into to fostering a positive, nurturing environment for junior players has already bore fruit for Mackintosh TTC.  

The club has had youth success in competition, with Ffion Evans being a prime example. 

A national champion at this year’s National Championships, Ffion has even been invited to take part with GB squads over the past couple of months, having got into the sport at Mackintosh TTC. 

“Having results like that, there’s an incentive for the other kids that train; they’re inspired by something that’s near them.” 

Rather unsurprisingly, Seve fundamentally attributes most of this work, development, and success to one thing – volunteers. 

“There’s a number of volunteers from our club that have allowed this facility to progress; it’s all been done by these volunteers. 

“These unsung heroes have made this happen and, without their support, we would struggle. It’s fair to say they’ve all committed to growing this community club; that’s not a short commitment from them. 

“They’re the lifeblood of the venue,” he went on, “and without volunteers in our sport, and I’m sure this is general in sport as a whole, you can’t do anything.” 

Steve continued to praise the role of TTW in the club’s successful youth engagement efforts, explaining that “with our volunteers and TTW working together in an inclusive, engaging way, this opportunity will continually expand and grow. 

“I have to emphasise that TTW have been a great supporter of this,” Steve concluded. “Without them, we would have had a great idea but would have struggled to develop it. So, it mustn’t be underestimated the appreciation that we’ve got for them and the fantastic support!”