ISSUE 09 - Sport 4 All
Let's bounce
Table Tennis England introduces TT Kidz, an eight-week programme that introduces children to the sport and teaches them key skills to play a match.
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T KIDZ, developed by Table Tennis England, is an inclusive and accessible programme providing children aged seven-11 with a fun, engaging and inspiring experience of table tennis in schools, clubs and community centres. Children, regardless of gender, ability or background, will learn new skills, make new friends and most importantly have fun. The eight-week programme is designed to be the best first impression of table tennis for children new to the sport and is delivered by trained, DBS-checked activators in venues up and down the country. Each week focuses on a different skill, providing children with the tools to enjoy a great game of table tennis. All the key skills are covered, including forehands,
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backhands and serves, and the children will be ready and confident to play a match by the end of the programme. All sessions offer elements of the criteria for the National Curriculum in PE for primary schools, including running, jumping, throwing, catching, flexibility, technique, control and collaboration.
As part of the package, children receive a kit bag containing a T-shirt, bat, balls, activity book and stickers so they can practise at home. And the fun doesn’t have to just be for children – we encourage parents to get involved and have a go, too. Along the way, and as they continue to develop their skills after the initial eight-week programme, the TT Kidz Awards give participants the opportunity to earn badges as they master the key skills of the sport, from the basics all the way up to more advanced techniques and tactics – and even how to umpire!
Children will be ready and confident to play a match by the end of the programme EXCITING LAUNCH
TT Kidz was launched in July 2019 on National Table Tennis Day, when England Commonwealth Games medallist Maria Tsaptsinos, junior international Louis Price and under-10 national champion Kacper Piwowar joined children at Chester Park Junior School in Bristol for an inspirational launch event. Since then, hundreds of children at table tennis clubs and schools all over England have had their first introduction to the sport through TT Kidz, with the majority of sessions sold out. As well as working with dozens of table tennis clubs, we work alongside Premier Education Group, our official primary schools delivery partner, to deliver table tennis in schools. Whatever the setting, kids and parents love the initiative – 95% rated TT Kidz as good or excellent value and 73% of participants say they enjoy taking part in sport and exercise more since joining TT Kidz. Even the pandemic could not stop our work – when in-person www.FamilyFirst.co.uk
