Over the last 5 weeks of term all of the children have been taking part in Table Tennis activities using a programme of study devised by Table Tennis England known as TT KIDZ. The table tennis related activities have been taking place in the village hall and led by TT coaches from the Wirksworth Junior TT Club. The children were split into two groups; KS1 and KS2 so that activities could be matched to their age and ability.
The KS2 children took part enthusiastically in warm-up exercises through games before going onto the table tennis tables to learn the basic skills of the game. Some had played before at home or on holiday but many had no experience at all. It was inspiring to watch how their skills progressed over the five sessions. Energy and enthusiasm throughout the sessions was high and time seemed to fly by.
The infant children had their own session and quickly showed that age and size was no barrier to taking part in the activities. Many of the exercises involving bats and balls had to take place off-the-table but every challenge encountered was undertaken with enthusiasm and enjoyment. The year 1 and year 2 children were just tall enough to spend some of the session time on the tables and as each week went by, their skills and ability to return the ball improved.
Coaches Alice and June, both said that “it was a sheer delight to work with and get to know the children at Hartington school. Their friendliness and enthusiasm was infectious and their good manners and excellent behaviour inspiring.”
A table tennis group operates at the Village hall on Tuesday evenings from 7pm so if your children would like to continue their table tennis journey, bring them along to the club and enjoy some games together.
