The exciting exploits Peter Higgins has experienced volunteering in table tennis

Peter Higgins is a bit of a stalwart in Welsh table tennis, and there isn’t much that he doesn’t know about the game.

Having played since the age of 11, Peter has held a passion for table tennis for a lifetime and experienced some incredible moments as part of the game.

A long-term volunteer, Peter’s journey in the sport began when he started playing at his local Scout’s Hall in Essex.

An eventual move to Northamptonshire later in life saw Peter play to a very high level in local leagues, simultaneously venturing into adjudicating.

He refereed at Wellingborough TTC, umpired at the English Senior Closed, and officiated many Three-Star tournaments all over England.

Upon his move to north Wales in 1987, Peter began his involvement with table tennis in Wales.

In 1988, he was invited to umpire at the Wales v Spain match in 1988, as well as at the Commonwealth Championships in Cardiff in 1989.

But, while Peter was progressing as an official alongside his playing career, it wasn’t until 1996 that his career would really take off, when he qualified as an International Umpire.

Since then, Peter has been a well-known figure in table tennis, travelling to some of the most prestigious events in the world to umpire.

Peter’s long list of achievements include the Commonwealth Championships in Glasgow (1997 and 2009), two Commonwealth Games (Manchester 2002 and Glasgow 2014), the Paralympics in London in 2012, and the World’s Veteran’s Championship in Las Vegas in 2018, where he umpired five finals.

There aren’t many places in the UK where Peter hasn’t umpired, having travelled to places like the Isle of Man and the Channel Isles as well as jetting off to the likes of Portugal, Italy and Ireland.

“As an International Umpire,” he told Table Tennis Wales, “I have been to countries that I would not have seen if not for table tennis.”

And he’s been able to meet people from all walks of life and of every age during his time volunteering – from the players to the people working alongside him.

“As an umpire, I have umpired finals for under-11-year-olds to over-90-year-olds, from players who have only just started playing to World Champions!

“You meet players from around the world, and make lifelong friends,” he continued.

“You also help individuals of all ages, genders, nationalities, and abilities.”

Peter’s commitment to volunteering in table tennis, like all volunteers, goes beyond the experiences and opportunities that it brings, but is also about the appreciation of its necessity to the sport.

“Volunteers are vital,” Peter confirmed. “Without them, the game would grind to a halt.

“As a player, when you reach the height of your playing capabilities and you have time to help at your club, county or for your country, just do it! You will enjoy it!”