THERE has been an encouraging start to the new season for the table tennis coaching club that takes place every Sunday at Dyson Perrins High School.

Following a highly successful season last year, over 20 players returned to attend the first sessions of this year with the earlier starting time of 6.30pm. With most players being between 8 to 18 years of age, it is a good sign for the future of the sport in the Malvern area.

In addition to the club sessions on Sunday evenings, four junior teams are competing for the first time in the Lamberts & Wade Malvern Table Tennis League.

The Junior A team stands undefeated after the first three weeks of the season and will offer strong opposition to even the most experienced players in Division Three. The remaining three teams have competed well against players very much their seniors winning more matches than they are losing.

Once again, two teams have again been entered in the National Junior League that begins on Saturday at the Ledbury Sports Centre.

For the first time Malvern have also entered a cadet (under 14) team of Ellie Ginn, Matt Lang, Tom James, Ben Salisbury and Geoff Burford in the National Cadet League that starts at the end of the month.

Last weekend, Matt, Ben and Geoff competed against other young players for places in the West Midlands Region Under 14 squad which is still to be announced. Lilleshall, home of the National Sports Centre, will be the prestigious venue for the U16 trials. David Smith, Anthony Wiseman and Joe Higgs represent Malvern.

The coaching club is held every Sunday evening during the season at Dyson Perrins High School starting at 6.30pm. It is open to all comers of all standards. It provides both an excellent introduction to the sport and a way to improve your table tennis with the help of four ETTA qualified coaches.

For further information, you can contact Gerald Foley on (01684) 565427.