“Table tennis is one of the core sports we use at Sport for Confidence, because it is accessible to many who face barriers to participation.  On a weekly basis, we are witnessing improvements in clients’ coordination, balance, standing tolerance, fine and gross motor skills, cognition, overall wellbeing, and social skills,” says Dr Anna Pettican, Occupational Therapist and Projects Manager at Sport for Confidence.

Designed for anyone involved in playing, coaching and delivering table tennis, the guide has been produced together with people who have used table tennis as part of their own recovery, as well as sports professional. It contains several case-studies to spark ideas and demonstrate the value of using table tennis as a therapeutic activity.  

The partnership between Table Tennis England, Brighton table Tennis Club and Sport For Confidence is well aligned to Sport England’s mission to ‘connect with health and well-being’:  To strengthen the links between sport, physical activity, health and wellbeing, so more people can experience the benefits of, and advocate for, an active life, as outlined in Sport England’ new 10 year strategy  ‘Uniting The Movement’.

“We see these guides as playing an important role in closing the gap between health and sport, to provide ideas that create opportunities for more people to have access to activities like table tennis.  As well as linking with the Sport England strategy, research has shown that differences in physical activity levels amongst social groups is related to the persistence of health inequalities,” says Dr Pettican.

‘The therapeutic use of table tennis’ guide is available now for free download at the Sport for Confidence website.