Table Tennis Tables Welcomed At Worthing's Kittie's Field

Cllr Margaret Howard, Labour Councillor for Broadwater ward, successfully applied for funding for the tables.

The tables have been installed in the past few weeks and are said to have already proven very popular with families who live in the town.

Cllr Howard said:

“A recent survey by Broadwater Community Association showed that table tennis was a very popular activity with residents. The survey, representing 573 people, showed that a table tennis table would be very well used and as we do not have any tables in the area I applied for tables to go in Kittie’s field”.

 “This area is in the 20% most deprived areas in the country according to the 2019 Indices of deprivation therefore many of the local residents cannot afford to pay for gym memberships or clubs. I was over the moon to be told that our application was successful. I would like to thank James Newton, the Council and Table tennis England for providing the tables”.

Research shows that table tennis is good for all-round fitness as well as helping young people develop their hand to eye co-ordination. It increases heart rate, improves reaction times, and builds arms leg and arm muscle tone. It’s also been shown to contribute to weight loss and increased focus and concentration. Hence it’s an ideal amenity for a local park that children regularly use.

Local residents, the Garner Family, were among the first to use the table tennis tables when they were installed. Dad Daniel noted that they previously had to go to Homefield park which meant they didn’t go often. Now it is closer, he said they would use it much more.

They took son Dylan on the day after his 10th birthday and Cllr Howard gave them a spare set of bats and balls so that they could all play at once.

Dylan said:

“I really like the new bat's and can play table tennis with my friends. It’s a great initiative, and will get more people into the park playing table tennis”.