THE Weymouth & District League is embarking on a new season and several new projects are set to be launched.

As well as resuming regular Saturday coaching for youth players from beginners through to advanced players, the Weymouth League is keen to expand the opportunities for more groups to play the game.

Table tennis for disabled players

TABLE Tennis England hosted a disability awareness day at All Saints School which was attended by Weymouth League adult and youth players, and coaches from all around the south, including Southampton, Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight.

Run in partnership with Sport England and the Weymouth & District League, the event centred on welcoming disabled individuals and groups to venues, working together with their carers to provide an environment for disabled players to enjoy the game.

Experienced wheelchair player and coach Shaun Newcomb was the tutor for the event.

Newcomb is also vice-chairman of the British Table Tennis Association for people with disabilities and chairman of the selection panel.

He is also the lead coach for the South & South East regional disability squad and also occasionally coaches development and pathway players both nationally and internationally.

On the disability event, Newcomb said: “It’s great to see disability coaching initiatives spreading throughout Dorset and its enthusiastic and capable people like those on this course who make it happen for our sport.”

The aim for the scheme now is to set up regular table tennis sessions for players with disabilities and the Weymouth League is keen to hear from any groups who would be interested.

Primary after-school club set to be launched

AFTER-SCHOOL clubs have also been successfully introduced into most secondary schools in the district and now the Weymouth League is forming an after-school club solely for primary school pupils.

Andy Millar now visits several primary schools and there is an increasing demand from younger players to play the sport.

Every primary school is invited to play in a new club to be based at All Saints School which will run every Monday from 4.45pm to 5.45pm.

The cost to attend will be £1 and the aim is to introduce the sport to boys and girls of all abilities.

The first session will be on September 8.

National League squads entered

WEYMOUTH has entered five teams into the National Junior League for under-18s and the National Cadet League for under-15s for the forthcoming season.

With this in mind, and to help Weymouth players continue to improve, England international Matt Ware will be a visiting coach every Monday at All Saints School from 6pm to 7.15pm.

The aim is to help the existing league players make the jump to national competition, and to also help the development of the younger players.

Ware will also be coaching an adult session for Weymouth League players from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. The sessions will cost £2.50 and start on September 8.

For more details on any of the projects and Saturday youth sessions, contact Andy Millar on a.millar212@gmail.com or telephone 07710507075.