A PROFESSIONAL table tennis player and coach who grew up in Bradford is starting a district-wide project to introduce primary school pupils to the game.
Mark Smith, who grew up in Clayton, plays and coaches at an international level. With help from skilled local players, he is keen to young children the opportunity to have a go.
Table tennis is great for youngsters to learn,” he says. “The game is a great way to support children’s academic work, improving concentration in a relaxing way. It develops hand-eye coordination, quick reactions and fitness.
“And, of course, it is of great benefit socially, including meeting new friends when playing against other schools. Some youngsters then want to reach a higher level and play regionally, nationally and internationally. This experience opens up a new world, travelling to new places and meeting lots of people sharing wonderful sporting experiences.
“Table Tennis is a fantastic school sport, children love it. It’s easy to set up, very social, it also attracts the ‘not necessarily sporty’ pupils, so it is really inclusive for all. schools? I have seen table tennis be an amazing addition to many schools especially primary schools.”
Bradford-based wheelchair table tennis player Oye Jemiyo, Hans Soova and Fran, one of Han's former junior players, are very enthusiastic about helping to make the project a success. “Where possible, they will join me at the schools to help,” says Mark.
In January Mark and local player Fran Currie gave table tennis exhibitions at Hoyle Court Primary and Crossflatts Primary School in Bingley.
Brighton Table Tennis Club, with which Mark works closely, has donated a table tennis to Hoyle Court Primary School in Baildon.
“Brighton Table Tennis Club is doing fantastic work within communities, in particular with social impact; they are very keen to support the scheme here in Bradford.
Mark became interested in the game after his dad bought him a half-size table which he could fit into his bedroom.
As a pupil at Clayton Middle School he played every day. “I played for an hour before and an hour after school,” he says. “Shirley Simmons made this happen - she was the science teacher at the school and encouraged us. Everyone played - the best player was Martin Vickers who rose to be among the top ten players in England, he inspired me.”
From there Mark went to train at a centre of excellence run by Bingley-based Hans Soova and fellow Yorkshire coach Silvia Worth. “ I trained with some of the best players in England - the best player Michael O’ Driscoll was also in the top three in Europe.”
He played for Yorkshire and England at schoolboy level and was national schools’ under 16 and under 19 champion.
Mark gained a degree in Sports Management and worked for Table Tennis England in regional club development.
For more than eight years after university he dedicated his time and energy in developing and coaching table tennis. His experience ranged from regional development in the UK - working for the Table Tennis England, formerly the English Table Tennis Association - to coaching and playing professionally in Australia and New Zealand among other countries. In 2004 he played tournaments in Australia and New Zealand, becoming Western Australian Champion.
Mark visited, advised and learned from many clubs, focusing on a range of issues such as growing new participants and finding new financial support.
He not only gathered an extensive repertoire of good practice examples, but also tips for running a successful club. Additionally, Mark developed an appreciation for diversity and life as an immigrant.
He then coached for Greenhouse Sports, a London-based charity committed to using sport to help young people living in the inner city to realise their full potential.
His work involved providing support for disadvantaged children who normally would not get the opportunity to access sport. The charity partners with schools across London, encouraging and inspiring many youngsters.
“In between working for the ETTA and Greenhouse Sports I travelled extensively," he says. "In India and Nepal - where I met my wife Fleur - I played table tennis with the street kids who were so skilful. One day I would love to go back and set up some sort of development programme for them to access proper performance table tennis.”
In 2016, Mark was thrilled to see work being carried out in Nepal to improve access to table tennis for people with a disability.
Mark, who lives in Holland, plays in the Dutch national league which he describes as “awesome.”
He set up the Ping Pong Alkmaar Club in his home town in Holland in 2018. It has been really successful as a rapidly growing community club for all levels.
He also organises travel training trips between England and Holland for players to enjoy.
Any schools interested in joining the Bradford Primary Schools Table Tennis Project can get in touch with Mark, who will visit the school and give an exhibition in assembly.
“This stimulates enthusiasm from pupils and teachers," he says. "I can then give support/advice to the schools about acquiring tables."
*Schools can get in touch with Mark at marksmithtabletennis@gmail.com
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