Broadcast: News items

One of the new table tennis tables outside Swanborough. Now all we need are some (human) players...

Students and staff can now play table tennis outdoors with two new tables installed this week outside campus residences.

The tables have been provided by the English Table Tennis Association (ETTA), who chose Sussex following a competitive bid process.

Students and staff could already play indoor table tennis on campus, with six tables in the Sport Centre, eight in Falmer House (also donated by ETTA) and one in Park Village common room.

It is hoped that these new tables – outside Swanborough - will further boost participation in the sport, particularly among students.

A third outdoor table has been purchased by Sussex using money donated by former students and will be installed at Northfield this summer at the completion of the second phase of the building works.

Sally Hughes, captain of Sussex’s table tennis team, said: “The donation of the indoor table tennis tables from ETTA has helped facilitate a table tennis revolution among the students. Starting as a group of four, the club now has 40 members pushing for competitive places and over 70 social players.

“With the ever increasing popularity of the club, we are aiming to grow our regular attendance of social players to over 100.

“The addition of outdoor tables will be a massive boost to the opportunities to play table tennis.”

Karen Creffield, head of Sussexsport, who led the bid process, said that she also hopes it triggers friendly rivalry among students living nearby. She said: “The outdoor tables will specifically help us to increase the opportunities on campus for social sport and will be a great catalyst for more inter-residence competitions.

“We have 3,665 students living close to the locations and future housing development will increase this number further.

“The high visibility of the tables will be of great value in promoting use.”

Bats and balls will be available to hire and to buy on campus.

Contact sussexsport@sussex.ac.uk