The Stroud & District Table Tennis League was a finalist for ‘League of the Year’ at the Table Tennis England Pride of Table Tennis awards 2025.
TTE Southwest Area Manager Amanda Leonard said: “Gloucestershire is a thriving, vibrant and successful county, with a keen understanding of the player pathway. Stroud & District Table Tennis League is a proactive and productive contributor to the county’s table tennis community, with a particular focus on school links.
“Stroud & District Table Tennis League works closely with Gloucestershire Table Tennis Association, having a long and successful history of collaboration between clubs and coaches to develop the sport within their catchment area and beyond. They have had particular success in developing school-club links and retaining Juniors in satellite after-school clubs and in member clubs. The school links are continually evolving.
“The impact of the SDTTL Schools’ programme contributes to Gloucestershire’s successes and ongoing growth as Gloucestershire rose to first in the country in the number of U11 Club Play members per 100,000 population in 2024/25 – second in direct comparison, where the leading county has double the population.
“This commitment to developing Juniors translates to being ninth of all counties in table tennis memberships across all ages and types, where those above have a much larger population.
“This demonstrates that the tasters, satellite clubs, junior clubs and county coaching enable the recruitment and retention of young players, providing a clear pathway with high-quality coaching.
“The League has an elected Development and Coaching Officer, Jim Hurford, supported by Cliff Jordan who play a crucial role in co-ordinating, delivering, coaching, developing coaches, promoting, fundraising and networking.”
New in the last 12 months SDTTL:
- Organised a coaches’ networking forum (two events so far identifying more collaborative working including reviewing activities, coach CPD, coach recruitment, talent development, pathway development, supporting each other in practical ways and planning).
- Held a Level 1 course at Nailsworth Phoenix, where 6 Gloucestershire Coaches passed. One new Level 2 Coach also qualified through the league’s support.
- Was awarded £1,900 towards the schools programme by Stroud DC for improving the mental health and well-being of children and young people.
- Ran taster sessions in Cirencester Deer Park School and Sir William Romney’s.
- Ran four TT Kidz sessions in Thomas Keble, Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School, Nailsworth Phoenix & Cirencester Deer Park School. This involved a lot of footwork in terms of promotion, visiting many primary schools to deliver fliers and talk to staff. The League is signed up to run the new TT Kidz Pilots.
- Ran after-school clubs in three secondary schools with pathways into four clubs with junior sessions.
- Supported Marie-Claire Davis and the newly formed Malmesbury TTC (over the border in Wiltshire), to set up a junior session by integrating the area into the development plans as well as being a critical friend.
Looking to the future, the SDTTL is constantly reviewing and refocusing, as well as identifying opportunities. In the pipeline:
- Four new TT Kidz sessions, two in new locations.
- Developing a table tennis offer at the newly developed school site in Tetbury, potentially a 12-table venue.
- Setting up a Stroud Junior & Cadet League following the Bristol League’s model.
