The St John’s College Table Tennis Academy Returns to the Table
Following a six month break due to Covid-19 restrictions, the St John’s College and Table Tennis Wales Academy restarts safely with Cardiff City Community Table Tennis Club as a new partner. The Table Tennis Academy partnership between St John’s College and Table Tennis Wales was established over two years ago and has provided an opportunity for pupils to enjoy and excel at the sport, with several of the pupils entering the Welsh National Squad. The onset of a national lockdown in March this year led to a pause of all table tennis activity until August when indoor sport was permitted to phase its return. Clubs and providers were only able to restart if they followed the key safety measures required by the Welsh Government and those outlined in the Table Tennis Wales ‘Return to Training’ Guidelines. We are pleased to announce that the St John’s College Academy will resume for pupils from Monday, 9th November, in a controlled and safe way; year groups/clusters will be bubbled, equipment sanitised appropriately, and social distancing maintained. A key factor in the return of the academy is the involvement of Cardiff City Community Table Tennis Club, who will provide the coaching expertise at the Academy in the interim. Head Coach and Founder, Nathan Thomas and his team, have a plethora of experience delivering high quality coaching for all abilities of players, and most recently, delivering in a Covid-19-safe environment.
Coach Nathan Thomas: “We are really looking forward to working with St John’s and getting lots of players enjoying table tennis, and hopefully finding some new superstars!”
Rhian Pearce, CEO Table Tennis Wales: “We are delighted to restart the Table Tennis Academy with St John’s College and continue a successful partnership that has given many pupils the chance to enjoy and thrive at table tennis. I am very grateful to the committed staff who have worked hard to make this happen despite the difficult circumstances. We were also thrilled that Nathan and his team from Cardiff City Community Table Tennis Club came on board to provide their coaching skills, giving us extra capacity and capability at a very demanding time for the sport.”
Natalie Wood, St John’s College Director of Sport: ”I am incredibly excited to share with you the news of our exciting relaunch of the St John’s College Table Tennis Academy. Through our partnership with Table Tennis Wales, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to enable our pupils to access excellent coaching and development from beginners up to elite level.” Shaun Moody, Headteacher: “I am delighted to welcome back Table Tennis Wales as we continue to improve sporting provision at St John’s. It is great to be acknowledged as a Centre of Excellence and so important to pupil fitness and wellbeing during these difficult times.”
“I am delighted to welcome back Table Tennis Wales as we continue to improve sporting provision at St John’s. It is great to be acknowledged as a Centre of Excellence and so important to pupil fitness and wellbeing during these difficult times.” Shaun Moody, Headteacher