Saltburn Table Tennis Club
The month of March got off to a fantastic start with a visit to Saltburn Table Tennis Club, a brilliant example of how our sport continues to bring people together at every stage of life.
Based in a local council leisure centre, the club runs its sessions in a large hall with eight tables in constant use, a clear sign of just how popular and vibrant the group is. With over 50 members, this is far more than just a casual gathering, it’s a thriving community club.
Often described as a bat and chat session, there’s definitely plenty of social connection, but there’s a real appetite to learn, improve and stay challenged. Many of the members also attend nearby clubs to access coaching, showing a genuine commitment to development alongside social and enjoyment aspect.
What really stands out is the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Players support each other, give tips and advice, celebrate progress and create an environment where everyone feels comfortable, whether they’re picking up a bat for the first time or refining their technique.
And it doesn’t stop at the local sessions. The club has built a fantastic tradition of annual overseas trips, where members take part in exchange matches combining competition, travel and camaraderie.
Saltburn TTC is a great reminder that table tennis isn’t just about performance pathways, it’s also about connection, lifelong participation and community impact.
Highfield Table Tennis Club
Aad visited Highfield Table Tennis Club in Wellingborough for an evening that highlighted the club’s strong coaching structure, its commitment to player development and the inclusive environment it has built over many years. Founded in 2003, the club has grown into a vibrant hub for both community participation and competitive development.
The main focus for the evening was the advanced junior session led by Head Coach, Chris Doran. Chris delivered a well-structured, high-quality session with clear instructions and a strong sense of progression.
What stood out was how effectively he draws on his extensive playing experience at the top of the English game and on the international stage. His demonstrations were precise, his feedback was timely and the players responded with real concentration and intent. The session had a clear rhythm and Chris maintained high standards throughout.
Vidal Graham was working with a smaller group of four advanced juniors. His set-up was simple but highly effective: two players received multiball from Vidal while the other two practised together on the adjacent table. After a set period, the pairs swapped over. Once this group had completed their rotation, they moved across to join Chris’s session and Vidal brought in another group of four players to work with. This approach ensured that a larger number of juniors received focused technical input while still benefiting from the structure and intensity of Chris’s main session.
At the same time, Steve Codrington was leading a session for the club’s community and beginner players. The atmosphere was friendly, supportive and inclusive — a reflection of the club’s long-standing commitment to making table tennis accessible to everyone.
Highfields TTC continues to demonstrate the qualities that have made it a respected and sustainable club for more than two decades: A clear pathway from beginner to advanced junior, experienced, high-level coaching, a thriving community programme, a welcoming, inclusive environment rooted in the club’s WDHA heritage.
Event Visit: Britain’s Greatest Rally – Manchester
A trip to Manchester’s Great Northern Warehouse, Deansgate, to support the Britain’s Greatest Rally Event, was a fantastic experience for Steve.
On arrival, Steve was welcomed by Bill Mackie, who had everything organised and ready to go, which is always a great start! The venue itself was excellent, and throughout the day the tables were consistently full, with some very strong players involved.
Players took part in rally challenges, counting sequences and matches, creating an engaging and energetic environment. It was a highly successful day, and a big thank you goes to Bill for all his support in making it happen. Bill recently won Volunteer of the Year North West.
Maghull TTC
The month finished for Steve with a fantastic visit to Maghull Table Tennis Club, led by the ever-passionate Paul Hutchins. Set in a lovely village setting, the club has a real community feel. Members were incredibly welcoming and helpful setting up tables together and creating a great environment for the session.
There was a strong eagerness to learn across the group, and the session had a great energy throughout. Later in the evening, a group of talented young players arrived to prepare for match night, showing real promise and dedication. There’s clearly a lot of potential at this club and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see some of these young players making a name for themselves in the future.
Return visit to Northfield TTC
A return visit to Northfield TTC in Billingham showed just how quickly things can move when the right energy is in place. Walking into the hall, the difference was immediately clear, the space was full, even with extra tables added. To see the numbers double in such a short time is a real credit to the work being done at the club.
A big mention must go to Terry Murphy, who is doing a fantastic job leading the sessions. His passion for development is obvious and he was keen for me to spend time working with some of his under-13 players.
Having seen these players a few months ago, the improvement was clear and very encouraging. During some multi-ball sessions, the group showed great focus, work ethic and willingness to learn, exactly what you want to see at that stage. This visit really highlighted what can happen when commitment, structure and enthusiasm come together. A brilliant example of progress in action.
