Table Tennis in Schools

Having adopted a different philosophical approach to the provision of table tennis coaching, the charity TTK Greenhouse, set up in 2003, is achieving inspiring results.  (TTK = Table Tennis for Kids)

Its mission is simple: to change life through sport. on that basis it raises funds and has launched a table tennis mini-boom by providing table tennis coaching in a network of schools. These are mainly, but not exclusively, in London at the moment.

Each coach is working full time (40 hours per week, 48 weeks per year) ... coaching in the schools, and in the community, and taking talented young players to competitions at weekends.

In an article in The Times, dated 09 June 2005, Matthew Syed talks about TTK Greenhouse and about its twin successes: changing lives and producing talented young table tennis players. Well worth a read.

More information about the charity itself, TTK Greenhouse, can be obtained from its web-site, from which the following quote has been extracted ...

TTK Greenhouse is an entirely new project that is enhancing the aspirations and life chances of young kids from deprived areas.

Sport has the potential to improve health, raise educational standards, fight crime and build strong communities. Table Tennis is an ideal tool with which to realise this potential: it is a game with an engaging combination of strategy and speed, and many tables can be accommodated in a relatively small amount of space, providing sporting opportunities for the many rather than the few.

TTK Greenhouse is operating by forging links between clubs, coaches and schools. Talented coaches with strong leadership skills have been identified and are creating vibrant, sustainable clubs in schools located in areas of economic deprivation.