Table tennis thriving

Enthusiasm for table tennis among the youth of Great Yarmouth and district has produced a resurgence with several very promising youngsters emerging through initiatives involving local schools, East Norfolk Sixth Form College and The Kings Centre Thursday evening club.

Graham Chapman, a member of the Great Yarmouth and District Table Tennis League, had been taking his grandson Arron to the Norman Centre in Norwich for Saturday morning coaching by professional coaches, Richard and Martyn Stevenson. So impressed was he with the standard of coaching from the Stevenson brothers that Graham approached the local league with a view to running similar sessions in Yarmouth during the schools' summer holidays.

With the league's blessing and support, Graham organised a programme of six Monday sessions taking place at the East Norfolk Sixth Form College.

The scheme has been proving a great success and been enthusiastically received by participating youngsters.

The pictures shown were taken at the third Monday session (August 3) and with six tables on the go in the gym, 16 youngsters turned up to enjoy individual tuition sessions of 20 minutes each. Part of the cost of coaching was subsidised by the league.

The Great Yarmouth League would like to thank ENSFC Principal, Laurie Poulson and his management team for their wholehearted support in providing the superb facilities.

As well as the featured scheme, other table tennis sessions take place regularly in Caister, The Mill Lane Centre at Bradwell and the Northgate Hospital Social Club where Ernie George runs coaching sessions on behalf of the league.

For those with an interest in taking up the sport either as a novice or as a player with previous experience, ring Edna Fletcher on 01493 667440 for information.