Jack Petchey Foundation table tennis programme opens applications for 2026–27

# What this programme is and who it reaches Programme starts its 16th year in 2026–27. It operates across London (all 33 boroughs) and Essex and targets young people aged 11–19 through partnerships with state secondary schools, colleges, academies and youth clubs that take part in the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme.

# What's on offer in 2026–27

Championships remain a core feature, with Individual and Team Championships for boys and girls in four age groups: Under-11, Under-13, Under-16 and Under-19. Qualifying events take place across Essex and five London areas. A new Development Competition has been added for 2026–27 to prioritise participation and early-stage player development alongside competition.

Teacher and youth-leader training: A Teachers/Leaders Course will run once per term. The course is designed to give practical resources, strategies and coaching skills so teachers and youth leaders can start and sustain table tennis programmes in schools and clubs.

# Who the programme has focused on recently

• organisations actively promoting girls' participation.

# Scale and reach so far Across its partnership with Table Tennis England, the Jack Petchey programme reports it has provided well over 100,000 young people with opportunities to play table tennis, connect with peers and take part in learning and competition.

# How to act now If your school or youth club is eligible under the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme and operates in the covered areas of London or Essex, you can apply for table packages and express interest in competitions, the Girls' Festival and the Teachers/Leaders Course through Table Tennis England's programme pages. The programme's competition and training pages include qualifying dates and expression-of-interest forms.

# Practical implications for schools and clubs

• Low-cost table packages reduce the barrier to creating on-site play opportunities.
• Development competitions give beginners and newer players a staged entry to competitive play.
• Regular teacher/leader courses aim to create sustainable local delivery rather than one-off events.
• The Girls' Festival offers targeted work to increase girls' participation in school and club settings.

The programme is presented as a coordinated package of equipment, talent development and workforce training to help schools and youth clubs embed table tennis into everyday activity for young people in London and Essex.