Women and Girls Table Tennis Afternoon Brings Community Together

I was recently approached by the Civil Service Table Tennis Club in Bristol to run a dedicated Women and Girls Coaching Afternoon—an opportunity to introduce new players to the sport while also supporting those already developing their skills. The session was advertised widely, and with no idea of how many might attend, we were thrilled to welcome 36 women and girls, aged from 8 to 70.

The group was wonderfully diverse. Some participants were complete beginners, including one player picking up a bat for the very first time. Others had been playing for a few years at lower league level. A number of attendees had even travelled over an hour and a half to take part, demonstrating the appetite for more women- and girl-focused opportunities in table tennis.

Throughout the afternoon, I guided players through the foundations of technique—from understanding the correct grip and stance, to learning the forehand and backhand strokes. We progressed onto service and receive, before finishing with some light-hearted but competitive match play that brought plenty of smiles (and a few friendly rivalries).

What made the event truly special was the atmosphere. Women and girls who arrived as strangers quickly connected, supported one another, and left as friends. It was empowering to see the confidence and enjoyment grow across every table—and especially meaningful to deliver the session as a female coach, providing representation that still feels rare in our sport.

The success of the afternoon has already sparked interest in future events, and I am excited to continue working with the Civil Service Table Tennis Club. A huge thank you to the club for inviting me, and I look forward to running more sessions with them in the near future.