Table tennis brought into hundreds of West Sussex homes
It's part of a scheme to keep us active during lockdown
Hundreds of households across Adur and Worthing have been turning their dining tables into table tennis tables during the COVID pandemic, thanks to a donation of kits from Table Tennis England.
In total, 250 table tennis kits containing bats, balls and nets were distributed to households to enable families to enjoy physical activity during lockdown.
The kits have been distributed to households by Adur & Worthing Councils via a number of partner organisations and local mutual aid groups.
The distribution of table tennis kits forms part of an initiative called Ping! run by Table Tennis England and supported by Adur & Worthing Councils and Worthing Ping United to encourage more people to take up table tennis, and includes the installation of two new outdoor table tennis tables at Kitty’s Field in Worthing and two in Buckingham Park in Shoreham.
There are now eight outdoor tables in Worthing - in Kitty’s Field, Homefield Park,Victoria Park and Beach House grounds - and two in Adur in Buckingham Park.
When the lockdown was announced, introducing limited opportunity for physical exercise, Table Tennis England launched its outreach scheme called Play at Home, specifically targeting those who were living alone, less able to engage in physical activity or shielding as a result of COVID-19.
Cllr Dave Simmons, Adur District Councils’ Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing said:
“The feedback from families who have been playing table tennis at home has been really positive and we are encouraged both by how it has helped to support people to stay active during lockdown and be something that families can enjoy together.”
Cllr Val Turner, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing, said:
“Thanks to this innovative scheme, lots of people have discovered how fun table tennis can be. Now with lots more tables to play on in our parks and open spaces, I hope it will encourage many others to give it a go too.”