Hundreds of Adur and Worthing households join lockdown table tennis boom

Hundreds of households across Adur and Worthing have been turning their dining tables into table tennis tables during the pandemic.
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Table Tennis England has donated 250 kits containing bats, balls and nets to help families stay active during lockdown, distributed by Adur and Worthing councils through partner organisations and local aid groups.

The distribution of the kits is part of a Table Tennis England initiative called Ping!, which encourages more people to take up the sport.

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It includes the installation of two new outdoor table tennis tables at Kitty's Field in Worthing and two at 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.

The Ping! initiative encourages people to play table tennisThe Ping! initiative encourages people to play table tennis
The Ping! initiative encourages people to play table tennis

The initiative has been supported by the joint councils and Worthing Ping United.

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.

Dave Simmons, Adur District Council's cabinet member for health & well-being 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.”

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Val Turner, Worthing Borough Council’s cabinet member for health & well-being, 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.”

There are now outdoor table tennis tables in Worthing and ShorehamThere are now outdoor table tennis tables in Worthing and Shoreham
There are now outdoor table tennis tables in Worthing and Shoreham

Due to Covid-19 safety requirements, users of the outdoor tables must supply their own bats and balls for the time-being. Table Tennis England is offering equipment for sale at a reduced rate. Visit its website to find out more: https://www.pingengland.co.uk/batsandballs/

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