The idea
A rare opportunity has arisen to establish a table tennis centre in Nantwich, and we need your help. Our current hall is being repurposed, and therefore the chance to transform an existing café area provides a lifeline for the club, and will be named the Bob Hope Centre after one of our volunteer heroes.
Table Tennis is a wonderful way of staying active and meeting new friends. It's easy on the joints, it burns calories, it’s a social sport and it keeps your brain sharp. We, at Crewe Central TTC are a not-for-profit organisation, and our team of volunteers have been introducing youngsters and adults alike to the joys of the sport for 10 years.
We lost our premises when COVID struck, but we were grateful to Elim Church for the use of a hall during the evening. As COVID restrictions lifted, we quickly but safely encouraged 100 + youngsters and adults to regain their confidence, physically and mentally, through playing table tennis. But we can do so much more with your help.
What we'll deliver
- A transformed 250 sqm café space into a vibrant multi-table community facility
- Table Tennis coaching for all ages and capabilities
- After school clubs helping youngsters develop new skills and confidence
- Bat & Chat sessions during the day for the over 50s providing a perfect way to stay active and socialise over a cuppa
- Family weekend sessions, for all generations
- Tailored sessions for those experiencing long term health issues, including dementia and Parkinson’s
- Sessions to help stroke & spinal injury survivors to gently become more active and regain confidence
- An accessible space to encourage more people with disabilities to take up the sport
- Open practice for all & regular competition
Why it's a great idea
Our project will enable us to:
• Increase our range of sessions to include those tailored for people with long-term health and mobility issues
• Offer more opportunities for social table tennis, where people can gather in a welcoming environment, make new friends and increase activity levels
• Respond to the increasing demand from schools who faced with increasing mental wellness issues, want after school classes, especially for pupils who may feel intimidated by more physical close contact sports
• Open at weekends for families and youth organisations who are always looking for new ways of getting active
• Have the flexibility to run ‘single sex’ coaching sessions, staffed by our female coach, for those who express a preference for that approach
• Run more advanced training sessions in a safe environment, with suitable equipment
Steps to get it done
- Prepare the floor space: remove small interior cosmetic wall, remove carpet tiles and level the floor
- Fit specialist flooring approved by Sport England for Table Tennis
- Upgrade the lighting
- Decorate the walls in a table tennis and dementia appropriate colour
- Install Black-out Blinds
- Promote the new venue with schools, youth groups, retirement communities and health organisations
- Run a 'launch event'
We are passionate about what our sport can do for the community. Our current facility already attracts players from Nantwich, Crewe, Middlewich, Winsford & Northwich. It will be a unique facility for Cheshire East, and we know from our 10-year history that there is demand. We need your help to make it happen.
To quote Miriam Stoppard: “Apparently table tennis is the perfect activity to keep you happy, healthy, active and in good spirits. Why? Well, it doesn’t only keep your body fit, it keeps your brain fit. All that complicated hand-eye coordination works its magic with brain cells and helps prevent dementia. A study of 164 Korean women aged 60 and older showed that table tennis improved more brain function than dancing, walking, gymnastics or ¬resistance training.” A Dementia Lead Nurse from Leighton Hospital when learning of our planned sessions, said: “What a great idea! I’m sure lots of people would be interested in this. Keep me updated it sounds brilliant”.
