Table tennis • Coaching • Consultancy • Parkinson’s groups
Table tennis: experience on and off the table
Table tennis has been part of my life for many years — as a county-level player, coach, official and volunteer. Alongside my own playing, I coach players of different ages and abilities, with a particular interest in making table tennis enjoyable and accessible for people living with Parkinson’s.
What I do
Table tennis coaching and practical support
Coaching for different ages and abilities
I coach from primary school age through to adults, from complete beginners to more experienced players. Alongside this, coaching experience includes county juniors, many years as a volunteer lead coach at club level and regular sessions for people living with Parkinson’s.
My approach is friendly, practical and player-centred. I adapt coaching to the person in front of me — whether the focus is learning the basics, developing technique and movement, building confidence, improving match play or simply enjoying the game more.
Consultancy & projects
I also work with clubs, groups and organisations on table tennis projects — from developing inclusive sessions and new groups to supporting events and practical initiatives. Explore consultancy →
Parkinson’s table tennis
Weekly groups and wider advocacy
Enjoying coaching regular Parkinson’s table tennis sessions in Enfield and Harlow and am closely involved in the wider growth of the sport through Parkinson’s England Table Tennis.
Kind words from participants
“I’d never played table tennis before I joined, but now I really look forward to our sessions. I might arrive feeling tired, but I soon feel energised and more mobile. It’s a lovely group of people and it always puts a smile on my face.”
Participant, Harlow Parkinson’s Table Tennis Group
“Joining a Parkinson’s table tennis group has been a real boost to my exercise and wellbeing. The welcome is relaxed and it doesn’t matter if you’ve never played before. Somehow chatting becomes easier when you’re batting a ball — it gives me a reason to smile and make new friends.”
Participant, Harlow Parkinson’s Table Tennis Group
Experience
My table tennis background
My involvement in table tennis goes well beyond coaching. Over the years I’ve played, coached, officiated, organised competitions and taken on a variety of club, county and national roles.
- Player. County-level player with regular league and tournament experience.
- Coach. Junior coach for County teams, plus many years as a volunteer lead coach at Ellenborough Table Tennis Club in North London. I coach beginner and intermediate players from primary school age through to adults.
- Official. English National Umpire and recently qualified Table Tennis Referee, with experience at national and international competitions, including umpiring at the 2024 ITTF Parkinson’s World Championships in France. Recently qualified as a Tournament Organiser (TO2).
- County and club administration. Former General Secretary of Hertfordshire Table Tennis Association for around six years, and a long-standing committee member and Social Media Officer at a large London table tennis club.
- Table Tennis England. Member of Table Tennis England’s Members’ Advisory Group (MAG) for several years, contributing a player and volunteer perspective to discussions about the sport as well as editing the group’s annual reports and preparing group notes.
- Parkinson’s table tennis. Founding member and Co-Chair of Parkinson’s England Table Tennis, alongside coaching regular Parkinson’s groups in Enfield and Harlow.
Table tennis in action
Playing, coaching and officiating
Seeing the sport from different perspectives has shaped the way I work. Whether I am playing, coaching or officiating, the same things matter: understanding people, communicating clearly and helping create an environment in which everyone can enjoy the game and do their best.
Playing
County-level competition and regular tournament play keep me connected to the challenges players experience themselves.
Coaching
Juniors, adults, beginners and Parkinson’s-friendly sessions, with coaching adapted to the person in front of me.
Officiating
Experience as a National Umpire, qualified Referee and Tournament Organiser at domestic and international events.
Parkinson’s table tennis
A particular focus on Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s table tennis has become an important part of both my coaching and voluntary work. I have coached the weekly Enfield group since 2022 and the Harlow group since 2024.
I am Co-Chair of Parkinson’s England Table Tennis (PETT), a volunteer-led organisation working with Parkinson’s UK and Table Tennis England to help more people living with Parkinson’s discover the benefits and enjoyment of the sport.
You can find details of my regular coaching groups on this site, or visit pett.org.uk to find groups around England and explore PETT’s wider work and resources.
Would you like to discuss a table tennis project?
Whether you are developing a group, planning an event or looking for coaching or practical support, tell me what you are trying to achieve.