Meet the Table Tennis Wales Players: Danielle Kelly
Danielle Kelly was drawn to table tennis after watching the 2012 Olympics on holiday, where her and her sister were inspired to pick up a bat and play with their father, incidentally a former Wales international in the sport.
Upon Danielle’s return home, table tennis became an obsession as she played at her local leisure centre every day for the next couple of weeks. With her father as her first coach, Danielle subsequently began to train at various clubs and academies, before switching to full-time when she lived in Sweden.
The dedication has paid off, as Danielle is now on of our national athletes, representing Wales at international competitions.
We recently spoke to her about her journey and career so far!
As a national athlete, what does a typical day of training look like for you?
“Whilst I was in Sweden, a typical day was training twice a day from 09:30 to 12:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00 with some fitness or service practice either before or after the session in the evenings.
“On Saturdays we would normally rest and go do some fun activities, then practice one time on Sunday morning.
“Since moving back home, training looks a little different since I am to start studying in university. I aim to practice once a day and go to the gym around three to four times a week whilst still playing lots of matches for my clubs abroad.”
How do you handle the pressure of representing your country?
“It’s always a lot of fun to represent Wales at competitions but I just try to remember everything that I do in the training hall to be able to enjoy the matches and play my best game. It also helps to have a good team and coach around you to keep the atmosphere relaxed.”
Could you share one of your most memorable victories or achievements so far?
“I think one of the more memorable moments was when we qualified for the European Championships 2024.
“It’s always a lot of fun to play with the girls in the team and we all get along really well which helps to build team spirit.
“And of course, to play the National Championships each year in Cardiff is also a very fun experience and a good opportunity to pick up some silverware.”
Can you tell us about a challenging moment you’ve experienced?
“I’d say the most challenging experience I’ve had so far would be suffering a really bad back injury whilst competing for Wales. I herniated a disc in my lower back and couldn’t train for three months, so it was very mentally challenging more than anything I would say.
“There wasn’t much I could do other than rest and rehabilitation. So, each day I’d be in the gym and attending physical therapy session to try and get back to full fitness.
“It really helped to still be around the sport, and I’d often go to the hall to see my friends and coaches to give myself a little bit of motivation of where I want to get back to over time.
What advice would you give to aspiring players who dream of reaching the National level?
“I would tell them that it is a marathon and not a sprint.
“In table tennis, it can often be very up and down in terms of results and performance. However, if you keep working hard each day and keep the goal clear, then the results will come eventually.”
What are your goals and aspirations for your table tennis career in the coming years?
“In the upcoming years, the biggest target for me has to be the Commonwealth Games. That’s one event I’ve always really pushed for and I’m hopeful I will be able to play in at least a few of these competitions.
“Of course I have other big competitions such as Europeans, National Championships and other major European and world events on my mind to be competing in.”
Click here if you’d like to find a club near you to begin your table tennis journey.