The table tennis community is abuzz with the upcoming transformations to the National Championships for the youngest age groups. One of the key components of the National Competition Review is set to take effect this season, ushering in an exciting new era for the sport’s future stars.
The highly anticipated Mark Bates Ltd U10-U13 National Championships will be held on the weekend of June 8-9 in Wolverhampton, and entries are now open. This tournament has undergone a significant evolution, with the addition of Under-10 and Under-12 categories, and a shift to an open-entry format.
“This inclusive approach aims to provide more opportunities for aspiring table tennis enthusiasts to showcase their skills on the national stage.”
Previously, only invited athletes were eligible to compete in the Under-11 and Under-13 age groups. Now, any young players who meet the specified criteria can enter, irrespective of their rankings. This inclusive approach aims to provide more opportunities for aspiring table tennis enthusiasts to showcase their skills on the national stage.
- To be eligible, players must have participated in at least one Local Open Tournament (1* event) or higher within the same season.
- They must also be current Compete or Compete Plus members of Table Tennis England, with those holding Compete memberships required to purchase a single competition license.
The deadline for entries is 11:59 pm on Wednesday, May 8, and interested players are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. While the event is open to all qualifying participants, there is a practical limit on the number of players who can be accommodated. The competition organizers will confirm entries shortly after the deadline.
“The top 16-ranked players in each age group will have protected entries, provided they register before the deadline. Doubles pairs that include a top-eight ranked player will also receive this special consideration.”
As the table tennis community eagerly anticipates the upcoming National Championships, this evolution in the youth categories promises to ignite a new era of talent development and engagement within the sport.
🔗 Source
