Ping Pong for the people

Ping Pong or Table Tennis? What do you call it? Regardless of what you know it by, it’s an activity which can be enjoyed by all ages, from toddlers, children, adults and older adults.

It’s a game which can be adapted so that all abilities can play in some way. The opportunities to have a go are growing within South Leeds. At the height of Covid-19 Get Set Leeds Local distributed over 100 home usage table tennis kits to families in Beeston Hill and Holbeck. In 2021 Get Set Leeds Local worked with Parks and Countryside to secure an outdoor table last year at Cross Flatts Park and Holbeck Moor with bats and balls available to borrow from Watsonian Café and Holbeck Together.

There are now new sessions for young people which have been set up in Holbeck at St Matthew’s Community Centre in partnership with Holbeck Together. Get Set Leeds Local funded an additional new table to enable more space for young people to play, with sessions being delivered by Ping Pong 4U coach, Ping Pong Pete.

The father to one of the boys attending said:

“I am pleased that table tennis for kids is on at St Matthew’s Community Centre. It is not too late, and the coaching is very good. My son has learnt a lot and keeps improving. I believe it helps children to not only develop physically, but to communicate and overcome challenges in a good manner. I hope it continues.”

If you have a young person who fancies a game after school, it’s £1 per session every Friday 4:45–5:25pm (for ages 7-11) and 5:30–6:15pm (for ages 12–15 years). All abilities are welcomed.

After joining some “activation” sessions last summer at Dewsbury Road Community Hub & Library, local resident Abbey approached the Project Development Team at the Hub with the idea to set up a new weekly session. A Get Set Leeds Local Community Chest application was able to fund another new table tennis table and refreshments. In January the weekly session has re-launched as a regular community session.

The Bat & Chat group is every Wednesday evening 5-7pm at Dewsbury Road Community Hub and is open to all. Abbey is keen to support new people who have never played before to learn a new skill. The group would love to see some new faces, whether you want to learn a new skill, make new friends or just have something different to do on an evening! It’s completely free and all equipment is provided. For more information contact Grace on 07711 189421 or Grace.Feeney@leeds.gov.uk

Next steps – we’d love to support more people to enjoy the game. We’re planning a Table Tennis England 3 hour Activation Course for Spring. If you’d be interested in accessing the training, which would be funded by Get Set Leeds Local then get in touch. You could use it to develop your own sessions, or link to support one of the existing sessions.
A core part of Get Set Leeds Local is giving people within the community to skills to help enable others to move more.

If you have a skill or a passion for something, and would like to access training to help enable you to use that skill to help others be more active then get in touch. Coming up in Spring are two ride leader courses. If you’ve an interest in cycling, and would be interested in accessing the British Cycling ride leader course to enable you to lead led rides then get in touch.

On Tuesday 8 February 4:30-5:30pm we’ll be hosting our next online Community Panel. Go to bit.ly/GSLLPanel.

Anyone working or living within the Get Set Leeds Local areas is welcome. It’s a space to hear what’s happening within communities, share learning and help shape the Get Set Leeds Local project. We’re joined by Leeds Beckett University sharing insights gathered so far. Everyone attending will be entered into a prize draw.

If you have a good idea for something that could support people to move more, then just get in touch. We may be able to help make it happen. We’re also keen to hear your insight and ideas on what the challenges to being active are.

Get Set Leeds Local is funded by Sport England and delivered by Active Leeds (part of Leeds City Council). Collectively we can develop a place where being active is an easier choice for more people. E-mail: getsetleedslocal@leeds.gov.uk or follow us on Facebook @GSLHolbeck&BeestonHill

 

This post was written by Karen Peck

We encourage anyone living or working in South Leeds to use this website to tell their news. You can either use the Create an article for South Leeds Life page, or email us at: info@southleedslife.com