Brighton’s love for table tennis is poised to ascend as the local table tennis club announces plans to unveil a second branch in Moulsecoomb next spring. This expansion follows a substantial £250,000 boost from the London Marathon Foundation, marking the club as the primary beneficiary in Brighton since London Marathon Events took control of the Brighton Marathon Weekend.
Situated in Moulsecoomb Way, the new branch, conceived by the Brighton Table Tennis Club, aspires to emulate the triumph of its flagship location in Kemptown. The financial infusion from the London Marathon Foundation, coupled with backing from Sport England, will metamorphose Hillfort House—nestled beneath the Student Roost accommodation building—into a lively haven for table tennis enthusiasts and community members alike.
The visionary founder of Brighton Table Tennis Club conveyed delight at the prospect of a second venue. “Everyone at Brighton Table Tennis Club is tremendously thrilled about inaugurating an additional venue in the heart of Moulsecoomb. It will significantly augment our capacity to introduce table tennis, along with its attendant benefits, to an even broader audience,” shared the founder.
The club’s expansion blueprint includes fashioning a space with a purpose-designed table tennis floor and cutting-edge lighting. The founder also unveiled ambitious plans for daily training sessions by Paralympic champions at the new venue, further reinforcing the club’s dedication to nurturing inclusivity and excellence in the sport.
The founder, who recently received a prestigious sports award alongside a monetary prize for the club, underscored the importance of community backing. “There’s a multitude of benevolent individuals contributing here, and a palpable goodwill towards the establishment. We’re genuinely enthused that, despite being 18 years into this journey, it still feels like we’re at the outset,” added the founder.
The National Lottery Sports Award ceremony, held at the club’s Fitzherbert Centre in Kemptown, witnessed a former local footballer presenting the accolade. The presenter lauded the club’s inclusive ethos, expressing, “It’s truly impressive to witness people of all age groups and skill levels congregating around a table, playing together; it genuinely feels like an extended family. The project offers a sense of belonging and purpose, particularly for children in care, asylum seekers, and all members of society. It’s a testament to the transformative power of sport. It’s magical.”
Looking ahead, the founder disclosed plans to support two club stars at the impending Paralympics in Paris: the top-ranked world table tennis player and a participant in a renowned dance competition, alongside a teenage prodigy. Both athletes, nurtured by the Brighton Table Tennis Club, epitomize the establishment’s commitment to honing talent and propelling the sport onto the global stage.
Brighton Table Tennis Club’s remarkable journey encompasses being acknowledged as the UK’s inaugural club of sanctuary in 2016, recognizing the founder’s unwavering efforts with refugees and asylum seekers.
The director of the London Marathon Foundation conveyed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Brighton Table Tennis Club possesses remarkable local insight, trust, and proficiency in orchestrating impactful community activities that draw participants from across the city. We are eager to contribute to the expansion of their initiatives, reaching even more individuals who stand to gain from accessible activities.”
The director further underscored the Foundation’s dedication to motivating, expanding, and endorsing participation and diversity in physical activity. She foresees the new Moulsecoomb venue rendering table tennis and other community activities more accessible, inspiring engagement for a wider audience in the years to come.
As the countdown to next year’s Brighton Marathon on Sunday, 7 April commences, entries are swiftly approaching capacity, indicative of the city’s fervent enthusiasm for sporting events. The expansion of Brighton Table Tennis Club into Moulsecoomb adds a dynamic chapter to the city’s sporting narrative, promising heightened access to table tennis and fostering a sense of community through the transformative influence of sport.
