Corby Town TTC to Host Groundbreaking Girls’ Table Tennis Tournament
On September 14th, 2024, the Corby Town Table Tennis Club (Corby Town TTC) will be breaking new ground by hosting its first-ever regulated Cadet & Junior 1* tournament, and it will be a girls-only event.
The tournament, which has a registration deadline of September 9th, is being organized by Henry Arthur, who serves as the British Clubs Leagues Executive Officer for Table Tennis England and is also the Chair and volunteer head coach at the host club.
Corby Town TTC has a rich history dating back to 1948, and under the leadership of their previous Chair, Chris Haynes, the club made significant strides in player recruitment, coach development, securing sponsorships, and upgrading their facilities with new lighting, flooring, and improved acoustics.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the club was thriving, with numerous teams competing in local and national leagues. However, the return to play has required rebuilding, as some players did not return, and those who were being developed for higher-level competition were either away at university or had aged out.
When Henry Arthur took over as Chair, he recognized the lack of tournament opportunities for young players in Northamptonshire and decided to investigate the possibility of hosting a 1* or development event, given the club’s improved facilities and equipment.
Recognizing the push for more opportunities for women and girls in the sport, Arthur decided that the first event the club should host should be aimed at this category. Northamptonshire has struggled to attract girls to play table tennis over the past decade, and hosting a girls-only event could be beneficial for the core group of young female players in the county who are still relatively inexperienced in competitive play.
The club has a history of supporting the girls’ game, as evidenced by Mia Solomon, one of their former players, being named the 2023 Pride of Table Tennis winner in the Young Female Volunteer category. Solomon, who is now a qualified coach, is still actively involved with the club and competes in the local league, though her time is limited due to her role as a new mother.
Corby Town TTC sees the drive for gender parity in table tennis as critical, and providing opportunities for girls-only events is an important step in reaching this goal. After the upcoming tournament, the club plans to review the learnings and consider making it a permanent fixture on the calendar, with the possibility of hosting a senior women’s tournament later in the season as well.
This groundbreaking event is a testament to Corby Town TTC’s commitment to promoting table tennis, especially among young female players, and their efforts to create a more inclusive and diverse sport.
🔗 Source
