Table Tennis Programme for Sandy Bay Youth

Up to 300 youth in St Vincent and the Grenadines now have access to a table tennis programme as the Vincy Table Tennis Foundation expands its grassroots programme to Sandy Bay with support from the Trusts. The programme, spearheaded by Georg Silberschmidt, International Table Tennis Federation expert, along with other local table tennis co-ordinators has meant that many eager youngsters in this rural area are being immersed in this sporting activity.

The Foundation is committed to popularising the sport by making it accessible to as many children and adults as possible. Sandy Bay was selected as a community with many challenges and more than their share of disasters in recent years. Using a grant from the Trusts, the programme has been put in place at the Sandy Bay Government School and the Sandy Bay Secondary School. With no selection criteria everyone is welcomed and encouraged to play.

Funds were used to purchase equipment and train the coaches. A local carpenter made four plywood boards to supplement the six all weather boards to enable as many participants as possible to develop techniques at each session. Table tennis has been integrated into PE classes since May 2017 and afternoon programmes are set to begin in July 2017. Attendance and enthusiasm for table tennis is high as youth in the Sandy Bay area learn and hone their skills in this dynamic sport.