Net gain from table tennis cash
A NEW table tennis club has begun with a bounce after attracting 20 members.
The club, at Aquinas College, on Nangreave Road, Heaviley, has taken off after a grant from Life Leisure was used to buy a top of the range table.
And the players are of a high standard with William Gregson, 12, ranked in the top 50 nationally and Daniel Clarke winning a silver medal at the British College Sports National Championships.
Coach Rob Clarke said: “It’s brilliant to see that table tennis is still a popular sport with the younger generation. It’s so good for health and fitness and for building confidence.
“We are delighted to see that many of the college students are trying the game for the first time.”
“With Life Leisure’s help we have been able to buy a top quality piece of equipment that will last for decades.
“It’s an investment that will serve the community for years to come and we want to encourage more young people to have a go at this exciting sport.”
The cash was from Life Leisure’s David Hopkins Foundation, which gives grants to individuals and projects to help people become more active.
Students at the College are also given access to the table during class breaks and as an extracurricular activity.
The college now has a new junior team competing in the Manchester Table Tennis League.