Serve's up! Council hosts 'Ping in the Community' for World Table Tennis Day

A launch event will be held at the Civic Centre in Leyland to kick off the celebrations on Wednesday 6 April from 11am - 2pm with a demonstration match at 12pm by Don Parker and Jill Parker MBE.

The Council will be fully funding and installing table tennis tables across the borough at 6 different venues, with another also going on tour and three secondary schools being gifted two tables each. Dates and times for these pop-up events will be released on the Council's social media channels, with plans for the tables to be kept at each venue for as long as possible.

Councillor Mick Titherington, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing said: "The aim of these pop-up table tennis events is to encourage more people into the ever-growing sport of Table Tennis.

We want our residents to have the opportunity to try new things and keep fit and we are delighted to be involved in this initiative.

By locating the tables across the borough we are hoping to make it easier for our residents to come along and give it a try.

It is all part of our aim to introduce and widen options to make it easier for everybody to try new things and participate in activities of their choice.

Ping in the Community will appeal to all age groups and abilities and I'm sure it will be a great success". 

In 2015, IITF created 'World Table Tennis Day' to get people interested in the sport. It is celebrated by organising activities, such as tournaments and exhibitions and the Council have got on board for the first time this year.

Equipment will be provided and there will be opportunities to play along with qualified coaches and volunteers.

If you're interested in the Council's launch event at the Civic Centre, please email sports@southribble.gov.uk.