The University of East London will play host to the third Jack Petchey Foundation London Schools’ Individual Finals as the cream of the crop of 11-19 year-olds from across the capital will once again exhibit the best of London’s table tennis.
On the weekend of June 22nd, over 90 participants from 49 schools across London will compete for the title of Jack Petchey Foundation Individual Champion in eight main events ranging from Under-19 Boys to Under-11 Girls.
The competition will provide another wonderful account of the work between the Jack Petchey Foundation and the English Table Tennis Association who have recently agreed a third year of funding to continue the overwhelming successes recorded by the JPF Table Donation Scheme.
After recording excellent results from the second year of the programme, which saw just under 5000 young people benefit directly from the scheme (up 57% from year one), a fresh funding package of £177,000 will allow further provision of 200 JPF branded table tennis tables, training and equipment packs to a further 50 schools across London.
Sophie Olyphant, Project Officer for Children & Young People at the ETTA, is delighted that the partnership can offer London’s youths a new experience through table tennis.
She said: “The partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation has meant that thousands of students in London now have access to quality table tennis, through table donations and competition. It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to work with the Foundation and to be able to have such a significant impact on creating sporting opportunities for young people in London.
“It provides a chance for experienced and novice players to take part in a fantastic event at a world class sporting venue.”
The Individual Finals aren’t just about the competition though. The event is complimented by music, prizes and gifts as the occasion is given a firm celebratory atmosphere. For the youngsters there is also the chance to win one of the many raffle prizes which include an Ipod Nano, Ipod Shuffle and an Instant Ping Pong pack.
Trudy Kilcullen, Chief Operations Officer for the Jack Petchey Foundation, is excited by the rapid growth of table tennis in the local schools and had her own little message to those ready to compete at UEL.
She enthused: “The Jack Petchey Foundation is really proud of our partnership with ETTA. It has enabled thousands of young Londoners to develop their interest in table tennis. With more tables in schools and more opportunities to enter local and regional competitions, table tennis has just taken off!”
Kilcullen also had a special message for all the participants: “It is so exciting to be part of a large scale competition like the Jack Petchey Table Tennis Challenge – you will love the atmosphere when you walk into the hall, see the tables stretching onto the distance and hear the familiar sound of bat on ball. I am sure visions of Olympic glory will flood your mind!
“Everyone who plays enjoys the day and as far as we are concerned all who get through to the final are already winners -representing the top players in London.”
The 49 schools that will be involved are as follows;
- Bishop Gilpin Primary School
- Bridge Academy
- Broadfields Primary School
- Burlington Danes
- Capital City Academy
- City of London Boys
- City of Westminster
- Eastbury Comprehensive School
- Eastcote Primary School
- Edgward Junior School
- Enfield County School
- Ernest Bevin College
- Fircroft School
- Fox Primary School
- Globe Primary School
- Grange Park Primary School
- Greig City Academy
- Harefield Academy
- Highams Park
- JFS
- John Lyon School
- Kings College School
- London Academy
- Lyndhurst House School
- Morpeth School
- Newham 6th Form College
- Osbourne Community Academy
- Park View
- Parliament Hill School
- Raines Foundation
- Royal Russell School
- Shirley High School
- Sir John Cass Redcoat
- Sir Thomas Abeny School
- St Francis Xavier
- St Mary Magdalene Academy
- St Marylebone School
- St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School
- St Monica’s RC School
- Stanley Park High School
- Stoke Newington
- Teddington School
- The Elmgreen School
- Uxbridge College
- Walker Primary School
- Wallington High School for Girls
- Wembley High Technology College
- West Lodge Primary School
- Wilson’s School
If you want more information on how to get your school involved in the Jack Petchey Foundation Table Donation Scheme, contact Sophie Olyphant at solyphant@etta.co.uk
Editors Notes
English Table Tennis Association
ETTA is the lead nation for the British Table Tennis Federation which consists of the four home nations and is formed for selection of the Great British squad for Olympic Games.
Table tennis has over 300 million participants worldwide, making it one of the world’s highest participation sports.
Some 2.4 million people play table tennis within the UK (British Market Research Bureau).
Virtual Press Office
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Additional Information
Please contact the ETTA Communications team for any further requirements:
Russell Moore - Web Content & Performance Officer russell.moore@etta.co.uk
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Paul Cornell - PR & Marketing Officer paul.cornell@etta.co.uk
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