Transforming Table Tennis News: Engaging the Manchester Community
The WTT Feeder Manchester event in February 2024 has been the catalyst for a surge of table tennis activity and participation in the city of Manchester. The event has led to the creation of the Ping Hub, a vibrant table tennis destination at the Great Northern Warehouse, which has seen a steadily growing influx of visitors.
Ping Hub’s Remarkable Impact
Between February and April, the Ping Hub welcomed over 3,500 people, with 1,000 engaging in coached and led activities. Notably, 35% of participants were female, and 87% were either new to the sport or very low-level players, indicating the Hub’s success in attracting a diverse, grassroots audience.
“Without the event, we would not have invested resources into the city, the Ping Hub wouldn’t have been in place, and thousands of new players would not have been introduced to table tennis,” said Adrian Christy, CEO of Table Tennis England, hailing it as a “fabulous example of a major event reaching and engaging new audiences, enabling the growth of grassroots table tennis.”
Engaging Diverse Communities
Remarkably, an estimated 50% of the Ping Hub’s participants come from diverse backgrounds, primarily Chinese, Hong Kong, and South Asian communities. This has led to the formation of a local Hong Kong group that now uses the Hub as their weekly base, and the Hub has also engaged with a Ukrainian community group.
Expanding Outreach and Programs
Beyond the Ping Hub, Table Tennis England has expanded its outreach, working with MCRactive, Bruntwood, and leisure operator GLL to place tables in additional locations and establish new table tennis programs. The organization has also forged strong connections with the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester, distributing 2,500 leaflets at a Chinese New Year event and witnessing a noticeable increase in Chinese participation at the Ping Hub.
The Ping Hub’s success in Manchester serves as a shining example of how hosting a major table tennis event can catalyze community engagement, foster diversity, and drive the expansion of the sport at the grassroots level.
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