Worthing TTC launches Junior Team 1 Star event: Filling the gap for English youth table tennis

People look at records, I look at trembling legs at the starting line. In table tennis, people look at the scoreboard, I look at trembling hands holding the racket. And sometimes, the most memorable moments don't come from grand finals, but from a small event held at a local club, where children play team matches for the first time. On October 10, Worthing Table Tennis Club will launch the Junior Team 1 Star event, a playground for youth teams that don't have a spot in the Youth British Clubs League (YBCL). This is a small but meaningful effort, as it touches the very foundation of the English table tennis pyramid. To understand why such an event is necessary, we must look at the structure of the English youth table tennis system. Table Tennis England operates a multi-tiered pyramid. At the top is the Youth British Clubs League (YBCL), bringing together the strongest clubs, competing on national weekends with high travel costs. Below are JuniorBCL and CadetBCL, more localized competitions with less travel, lower costs, and flexible formats. However, there are still teams that cannot participate in any of these, either because they lack a spot or due to geographical reasons. That's when the Junior Team 1 Star event was born. Matt Porter, head coach of Worthing TTC, shares: "We won our division last year, and we asked ourselves what we could do for our boys and the other teams that haven't got in [to YBCL]." That question led to a supplementary event, where two-player teams compete in a progressive knockout format, ensuring each team plays multiple matches instead of being eliminated early. This is especially important for juniors, as team match-play experience is considered a key development factor. Notably, the event has attracted teams from Jersey and Guernsey, islands off the coast of England. This shows that the demand for team competition goes beyond geographical borders, and that the issue is not just about skill level but also accessibility. Lisa De Poerck from Jersey Table Tennis said their boys' team couldn't get into YBCL this year, and this event is a valuable opportunity for them to gain experience. The event format is a highlight in design. Two players per team, progressive knockout, meaning no team is eliminated after one loss. Instead, teams continue playing in lower brackets, maximizing matches and learning opportunities. This is a common model in development events, where the goal is quantity of experience rather than the drama of elimination. For young athletes, playing many team matches not only hones skills but also builds teamwork, mutual support, and confidence. Team competition offers a different experience from individual play: it teaches cooperation, how to encourage teammates when losing, and how to celebrate together when winning. These lessons go beyond technique, helping shape character and sportsmanship. It's worth noting that this event is not part of Table Tennis England's official system. It was initiated by a local club, with support from the governing body. Neil Rogers and John Mackey from Table Tennis England and TAP were thanked for their help in organization. This model is called "co-production": the local club takes the lead, the governing body facilitates and supports. It reduces central costs, increases local ownership, and can be replicated. Key dates have also been announced: the JuniorBCL entry deadline is Wednesday, September 16, while CadetBCL is Wednesday, October 28. The Junior Team 1 Star takes place on October 10, between these two dates, designed to catch teams that missed the deadline or lack a spot. This shows careful planning by the organizers to maximize participation. However, behind the positive exterior is a reality that needs to be faced. The existence of this event shows that the official league system does not fully meet the demand for team competition among juniors. In other words, there is a gap at the base of the pyramid. Teams like Jersey or Guernsey are not lacking demand; they are excluded by the current competition structure. The Junior Team 1 Star fills that gap, but it depends on the voluntary efforts of a few individuals. If it is not incorporated into the official calendar, will it be sustainable? In the context of world table tennis, events like this rarely get attention. The media usually focuses on major championships with top stars. But based on my experience covering matches, it is these small playgrounds that nurture a love for the sport. I once witnessed an 18-year-old Filipino athlete break the national 400m hurdles record training on sand with worn-out shoes. That story wasn't in the record books, but it's why I write. In Worthing, kids may not break national records, but they are getting a chance to play, to compete, to be part of a team. That is what matters. Glory never fully fades—it just moves to a protective jersey. People like Matt Porter, Lisa De Poerck, Neil Rogers, or John Mackey were once players, once had athletic dreams. Now, they no longer compete at the highest level, but they are protecting the next generation by creating playgrounds. It's a beautiful transformation of class: from heroes at the table to pathfinders. However, we must be cautious of overly romantic views. A club-organized event can succeed the first time, but if not institutionalized, it will depend on the energy of a few individuals. This raises the question of the governing body's responsibility. Is Table Tennis England lacking resources to organize lower-tier events? Or is this a way to save costs? The co-production model may be a short-term solution, but in the long run, without stable financial and human support, such initiatives can easily fade. And the children in Jersey or Guernsey will fall back into the gap. A summer without news often leaves more stories than a summer full of blockbusters. The Junior Team 1 Star may not create a big buzz, but it represents a right approach: starting from the foundation. Will this model be replicated? Will it become an indispensable part of the English youth table tennis calendar? The answer lies in the decisions of administrators and the commitment of the community. Table tennis is not just grand finals, but also Saturday afternoons in a small hall, where children learn they are not alone.