Griffith looks to play host

Photo: PICTURE by ANTHONY MILLER

OLDHAM Table Tennis Club’s John Rutland (back, left), Gary Knowles, Junior Folashade, Dawid Sieradzki, head coach Dave Griffith (front, left), Bright Folashade, Paul Boyer and Abigail Griffith.

TABLE TENNIS:

OLDHAM Table Tennis Club hope to host an Africa versus Europe junior club tournament after the 2012 Olympics.

Ambitious coach David Griffith, who helped establish the Chadderton-based outfit seven years ago, welcomed a member of the International Olympic Committee to the club to give organisers a flavour of what they are all about.

And if funding can be secured — in Africa for the trip and at this end, by the club, for accommodation — the matches will go ahead at the Radclyffe Athletic Centre next year.

Griffith said: “We are hoping the event can happen because the people involved were impressed by our facilities.”

Despite their successes, there is still room at the table for more players. Anyone wondering what can be achieved by giving it a try need look no further than David’s daughter Abigail (12). Last year she saw off opponents up to seven years her senior to win the Lancashire Trials under-18s title at St Augustin’s Sports Centre, Preston, and also took the under-15s gong.

That came after three successive title triumphs at under-11s level. Not that Abigail is the only shining light — far from it. The under-18s came second in last season’s Junior British League Division Two campaign. And the under-15s have also impressed in National Cadet Division Two.

With one eye on the future, the club have established strong links with local schools and clubs all over the UK and Europe in order to spread the word and appeal to a wider audience.

To join Oldham Table Tennis Club call David Griffith on 07976 942189.