NEWSOME Sports College will be a busy venue this weekend when the Huddersfield Table Tennis League stage an Open Day and their annual major Championships.
Saturday marks the Open Day from 10am to 4.30pm when people of all ages are encouraged to give the sport a try.
Then on Sunday it’s the championships, with top action from 9am to around 8pm and Darren Lindley hoping to defend the title he won last year, but against five former champions.
Those include Tim Dyson, trying to win a record 10th Huddersfield title.
The Open Day is part of a programme highlighting a resurgence in table tennis and there are activities for everyone – from absolute beginners to older players who are maybe considering a return to the game.
There will be fun games, target table tennis, two robots (the equivalent of a cricket bowling machine) firing table tennis balls for people to hit back and a funny bat competitions.
There are medals to be won, but it’s more about people enjoying the game.
Leading Huddersfield players will play exhibition matches and there will be coaching available from these players.
It could be that some of those ‘giving it a go’ might be encouraged to enter the Huddersfield Summer League – suitable for players of all abilities.
At the moment, the majority of players in the Huddersfield League are veterans but they are hoping to capitalise on the recent upsurge in interest and attract new players to the game, both for recreational and competitive reasons.
