REBECCA’S PLACED AT TOP TABLE
Starlet set for Commonwealth Games
An Ayrshire table tennis starlet has spoken of her pride at landing a place on the Scotland team for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Rebecca Plaistow, 22, is one of four Scottish table tennis stars selected for the showpiece event.
Rebecca, who was first introduced to the game at 13, when she attended coaching sessions at South Ayrshire Table Tennis Club, is already a huge name in the sport.
She currently tops Scotland’s rankings and moved to Newcastle-upon-Tyne in January to work as a dietician for the NHS.
Rebecca said: “I’m really pleased and really happy with selection.
“When I turned up at South Ayrshire Table Tennis Club all those years ago I had no idea it would lead to this.
“At the back of my head I wanted it to, but I knew how hard it would be and how competitive this sport is to try to get there.
“The days are now flying by and I’m
getting nervous.
“It’s probably one of the biggest events I will play in my career, so I am really pleased to be selected.
“I’m really looking forward to the experience and the different types of
players I will get to play.”
Rebecca pinpointed some of the countries who pose a real threat in the upcoming Games.
She said: “The Asian teams, especially Singapore, are good, but to be honest, they are all really good and anyone I play will be of a really high standard.
“This is the first time for me at the Commonwealth Games, so I’m going to try my best and see how far I get – and enjoy it!
“I won’t put any pressure on myself.” Rebecca, who was on international duty last month for a tournament in Sarajevo, will contest the Ladies Singles, Ladies Doubles and Mixed Doubles events.
Roy Claxton, head coach at South Ayrshire Table Tennis Club, said: “We’re very proud of Rebecca, she’s a superstar.
“It’s great news from a club point of view because it’s one of our own that’s been selected to play on one of the biggest stages of them all.
“She first came to the club aged 13, then at 16 she was the Ladies champion of Scotland. Her achievements have been amazing.”
Joining Rebecca on the trip south will be Lucy Elliot, Colin Dalgleish and Gavin Rumgay.
Sixteen-time Scottish champion Gavin will take part in his fifth Commonwealth Games having first competed in Manchester 2002, while for Livingston’s Colin, it’ll be his second appearance after he made his Commonwealth Games debut at Gold Coast 2018.
This will be Rebecca’s debut at the Games, after narrowing missing on a Scotland team place at the Gold Coast in 2018.
And for Lucy, (Drumchapel Table Tennis Club) this will be her first Commonwealth Games.
Gordon Muir has also been appointed as Table Tennis coach and will also cover Team Manager duties in Birmingham.
Team Scotland Chef de Mission, Elinor Middlemiss, said: “I am thrilled that Gavin, Colin, Lucy and Rebecca have secured their place at Birmingham 2022.
“It is great to see a mix of experience in the team, with Gavin competing in his fifth Games and Colin his second, whilst Lucy and Rebecca make their debuts.
“I have no doubt that everyone in Scotland will get behind them and cheer them on to success this summer.”
Table Tennis events will take place at the NEC Arena in Birmingham between July 29 and August 8, 2022, with two sessions a day.