Brixham Table Tennis Club

06/06/2026

Last week we discovered something... Table Tennis balls are NOT simply full of air!!! What makes them so magical as a ball, allowing for a wondrous array of playing styles making use of the serve, return, chop, block, drive, spin & smash, is that each ball contains a fairy & not just any kind of fairy but a Table Tennis Fairy (TTF) & Table Tennis Fairies are dedicated to the art of Table Tennis but shall only favour a Table Tennis player if they are of pure heart, unimpeachable character & dedicated to playing their best win or lose within the rules.

If you would like to see if you're worthy of the Table Tennis Fairy's graces then we'll be playing Table Tennis from 6pm to 9pm at Brixham College Sports Centre this Monday 8th June (as we do every Monday unless otherwise stated here), please check with Thinking Fitness at Brixham for car parking details at the sports centre.

Our tables shall be set up in "the lower hall" at the end of the centre corridor, Table Tennis England accredited coaching will be available for those in attendance & if it's your first time at our club there's no charge! (£5 per session thereafter).

Never played table tennis or has it been "some time" since you picked up a bat?

We have spare bats available for use & our club's comprised of players of varying ability & ages, from those starting out & our junior players to more experienced & veteran players, so we will pair you up with someone of similar skill level as an introduction/re-introduction to the game.

Our sessions are loosely structured to start off with practice & drills that vary depending on who practices with who - what needs to be worked on & improved such as serving technique, smash technique, how to chop, block, drive... or what a player is ready to have introduced to their game. As the session progresses we'll play games & matches, have mini-tournaments, play doubles & maybe even end the session with "Top Table" where all players, irrespective of their ability, have the chance to play against anyone else depending on who rises & falls in the "Top Table" ranks.

Fancy experiencing some Table Tennis magic, want to see if you're worthy of the Table Tennis Fairy's favour? We'll see you on Monday if so!

30/05/2026

We RETURN on Monday 1st June to play Table Tennis once again!

From 6pm to 9pm at Brixham College Sports Centre we'll be playing Table Tennis once again! SMASHING CHOPPING BLOCKING SPINNING DRIVING & FLOATING (& RETURNING) will be in full effect!

Please check with Thinking Fitness at Brixham for car parking details at the sports centre.

Our tables shall be set up in "the lower hall" at the end of the centre corridor, Table Tennis England accredited coaching will be available for those in attendance & if it's your first time at our club there's no charge! (£5 per session thereafter).

Table Tennis IS the most versatile bat & ball game due to the ball being "barely there at all" - it's just a thin shell filled with air that allows a broad variety of playing styles, such as use of top, back & side spins to a degree not possible with other bat/ball combination sports. Players will meet opponents potentially capable of all sorts of styles of play that perhaps they are not - though in turn they will potentially be capable of all sorts of things too, this results in a great range of possible practice & game play experiences unlike any other bat & ball game!

Some liken Table Tennis to a martial art as all manner of stances & positions of attack & defence akin to those seen in pugilist pursuits can be made by players, again to a degree that other bat & ball games do not provide the chance to display... though remember NO HANDS ON THE TABLE AT ANY TIME!!!

Never played table tennis or has it been "some time" since you picked up a bat?

We have spare bats available for use & our club's comprised of players of varying ability & ages, from those starting out & our junior players to more experienced & veteran players, so we will pair you up with someone of similar skill level as an introduction/re-introduction to the game.

Our sessions are loosely structured to start off with practice & drills that vary depending on who is practicing with who - what needs to be worked on & improved such as serving technique, smash technique, how to chop, block, drive... or what a player is ready to have introduced to their game. As the session progresses we'll play games & matches, have mini-tournaments, play doubles & maybe even end the session with "Top Table" where all players, irrespective of their ability, have the chance to play against anyone else depending on who rises & falls in the "Top Table" ranks.

Are you READY to RETURN to TABLE TENNIS?

25/05/2026

As there's no table tennis this evening (we'll be back on Monday 1st June) we have the chance to take a look at what happened at the "THE SOUTH DEVON AND TORBAY TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE SPONSORED BY ALBANY FLORISTS FINALS AND AWARDS NIGHT 2025-26 SEASON" held at Stover School back on Tuesday 21st April.

The first match was the veterans final between Brixham’s Chris Harper and Newton Abbot’s Paul Davey, & as the score shows it was a close competitive match which could’ve gone either way. Paul eventually winning it in the fifth set 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7.

The division two singles decider followed with our own Stuart Shipley Vs. Torbay Academy’s Alex Fialho. Both players play to attack which led to fierce battles with Stuart coming out on top winning 13-11, 11-7, 11-9.

The next fixture was the mixed doubles which saw our newly formed partnership of Issy Brown and Chris Harper Vs. the current holders of the title Sonja Ryland & Kevin Nicholls of Newton Abbot, the latter winning 12-10, 11-8, 11-7.

With more matches taking place the men’s doubles and the current holders of the title our players Aarish Maharjan and Chris Harper bested Newton Abbot's Kevin Nicholls and Paul Davey, winning 11-4, 11-7, 11-9.

Our rising star Issy Brown took on new to the South Devon and Torbay League Sarah O’Leary in the Ladies’ singles final for the Knight Cup. O'Leary came back from the first game down to win 12-14, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4.

The men’s singles for the Burton Cup rounded off the event with our Aarish Maharjan Vs. Newton Abbot’s Kevin Nicholls with Aarish lifted the Burton Cup 11-7, 11-8, 2-11, 11-4.

A hearty congratulations to our players putting themselves forward to compete at this testing & rewarding level of table tennis which as can be seen by the close scorelines will have well & truly put them through their paces win or lose.

A full report of the event + photos is available here:

15/05/2026

Monday 18th April approaches which means only one thing:

From 6pm to 9pm at Brixham College Sports Centre we'll be playing Table Tennis once again! SMASHING CHOPPING BLOCKING SPINNING DRIVING & FLOATING* will be in full effect!

Please check with Thinking Fitness at Brixham for car parking details at the sports centre.

Our tables shall be set up in "the lower hall" at the end of the centre corridor, Table Tennis England accredited coaching will be available for those in attendance & if it's your first time at our club there's no charge! (£5 per session thereafter).

Table Tennis is the most versatile bat & ball game (don't take our word for it) due to the ball being "barely there at all" - it's just a thin shell filled with air that allows a broad variety of playing styles, such as top, back & side spins to a degree not possible with other bat/ball combination sports (if you doubt it... come along & try it out). Players will meet opponents potentially capable of all sorts of stykles of play that perhaps they are not - though in turn they will potentially be capable of all sorts of things too, this results in a great range of possible practice & game play experiences unlike any other bat & ball game!

Some liken Table Tennis to a martial art as all manner of stances & positions of attack & defence akin to those seen in pugilist pursuits can be made by players, again to a degree that other bat & ball games do not provide the chance to display.

Never played table tennis or has it been "some time" since you picked up a bat?

We have spare bats available for use & our club's comprised of players of varying ability & ages, from those starting out & our junior players to more experienced & veteran players, so we will pair you up with someone of similar skill level as an introduction/re-introduction to the game.

Our sessions are loosely structured to start off with practice & drills that vary depending on who is practicing with who - what needs to be worked on & improved such as serving technique, smash technique, how to chop, block, drive... or what they're ready to have introduced to their game & as the sessions progresses we'll play games & matches, have mini-tournaments, doubles & maybe even end the session with "Top Table" where all players, irrespective of their ability, have the chance to play against anyone else depending on who rises & falls in the "Top Table" ranks.

NO CATS WILL BE PRESENT OR ALLOWED ENTRY TO THE SESSION AT ANY TIME!!!

09/05/2026

That most SMASHING CHOPPING BLOCKING SPINNING DRIVING & FLOATING* of times is approaching: Monday 12th April means that from 6pm to 9pm at Brixham College Sports Centre we'll be playing Table Tennis once again!

Please check with Thinking Fitness at Brixham for car parking details at the sports centre.

Our tables shall be set up in "the lower hall" at the end of the centre corridor, Table Tennis England accredited coaching will be available for those in attendance & if it's your first time at our club there's no charge! (£5 per session thereafter).

Table Tennis is the most versatile bat & ball game due to the ball being "barely there at all" - it's just a thin shell filled with air that allows a broad variety of playing styles, such as top, back & side spins to a degree not possible with other bat/ball combination sports. Players will meet opponents potentially capable of all sorts of things, that perhaps they are not - though in turn they will potentially be capable of all sorts of things... too, this results in a great range of possible practice & game play experiences unlike any other bat & ball game!

Some liken Table Tennis to a martial art as all manner of stances & positions akin to those seen in pugilist pursuits can be made by players, again to a degree that other bat & ball games do not provide the chance to display.

Never played table tennis or has it been "some time" since you picked up a bat?

We have spare bats available for use & our club's comprised of players of varying ability & ages, from those starting out & our junior players to more experienced & veteran players, so we will pair you up with someone of similar skill level as an introduction/re-introduction to the game.

Our sessions are loosely structured to start off with practice & drills that vary depending on who is practicing with who - what needs to be worked on & improved such as serving technique, smash technique, how to chop, block, drive... or what they're ready to have introduced to their game & as the sessions progresses we'll play games & matches, have mini-tournaments, doubles & maybe even end the session with "Top Table" where all players, irrespective of their ability, have the chance to play against anyone else depending on who rises & falls in the "Top Table" ranks.

(*All OFFICIAL Table Tennis Terms).

The accompanying video is of Fliss Pickard preparing for the Paris Olympics last year. Building on this success Fliss Pickard won a silver medal this past week in the women’s class 6 for the British Para Table Tennis team at the ITTF World Para Challenger Lasko in Slovenia & was only beaten to the gold by 2 points! An incredible result & a scoreline most table tennis players will be more than familiar with from their own games win or lose!

Fliss Pickard is due to make her Paralympic debut in Paris and she's more ready than she's ever been to make a real impact at the Games! Hear Fliss' thoughts...

03/05/2026

Now that the 2025 - 2026 South Devon & Torbay Table Tennis League has reached its conclusion after seven months of battling on the home & away fronts it's time to reflect on how our club has done & we have much to be proud of, much to build on & much to share with everyone else!

Our four teams have played their bats out this season & its no mean thing to do so fixture after fixture when the standard of league play is not only of an entirely different skill & stamina level to practice sessions but it also requires a different mindset to practicing whether drills or games. Being part of a team places a huge responsibility on each team member as they are not "simply" playing for themselves they play for the team & their result could be what makes the difference between winning or losing. Some do not want this responsibility, some do not have the time to commit to the fixture schedules, some doubt whether they can play at this level, so we say thank you to our club members that are willing & able to make this investment, without them we would not have any results to speak of!

So, in Division 1: We say well done to Brixham Sharks taking the 2nd spot, we know that one of our most experienced & passionate players & coaches has not been able to commit as much as they would like to contributing to aiming for the top spot but 2nd is nothing to be ashamed of, it is Division 1 after all!

Aarish Maharjan played 36 games with a blistering 91.67% win rate & 9 "Player of the Match" awards.

Christopher Harper played 26 games with a 57.69% win rate.

Clive Banham played 18 games with a 55.56% win rate.

Bryan Birkbeck played 13 games with a 69.23% win rate & 1 "Player of the Match" award.

Joseph Edwards played 6 games with a 50.00% win rate.

Ross Saxby played 3 games with a 33.33% win rate.

& Nicholas Williamson played 3 games.

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Division 2: Won by our very own Brixham Trawlers! A superb result showing what can be achieved by dedication to & passion for the game! The Trawlers will be playing in Division 1 next year so the challenge will become even more of a test for our best improving team.

Stuart Shipley played 27 games with an impressive 88.89% win rate & 3 "Player of the Match" awards.

Issy Brown played 27 games with a high 81.48% win rate & 3 "Player of the Match" awards.

Nicholas Shipley played 24 games with a grand 83.33% win rate & 3 "Player of the Match" awards.

Allen Pack played 15 games with a 13.33% win rate.

Martin Sharp played 9 games with a 44.44% win rate.

Alan Maynard played 3 with a 66.67% win rate.

& Ian Saxby played 3 with a 33.33% win rate.

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Division 3: Brixham Gulls took the 6th spot (out of 8 teams) which is nothing to sniff about as the lower in the divisions a team finds itself the more the quality of play & ambitions of players - some of whom will be finding out just how good, or maybe not as good as they think they are, play significant mental & physical roles in sticking with it against all the other players of a similar ability all looking to achieve the same result.

Nicholas Williamson played 39 games with a 43.59% win rate & 1 "Player of the Match" award.

Kevin Ayling played 36 games with a 55.56% win rate & 2 "Player of the Match" awards.

Charles Lamden played 18 games with a 27.78% win rate.

Sacha Edwards played 9 with an admirable 77.78% win rate & 1 "Player of the Match" award.

Henry Carter played 3 games with a 66.67% win rate, an exceptional result given this is Henry's first year playing in the league & his Division 3 appearance was a division up from his Division 4 team role.

Michael Freeman played 3 games with a 33.33% win rate.

Nigel Greenfield, Wayne Gilbert, Will Mulholland & Brian Noades also put in appearances with some stepping up from Division 4 though there were no wins for these players. The difference in playing quality is distinct between the divisions & can come as something of a shock! Sometimes a player can be up against an opponent who is of the highest playing quality, other times their opponent is not as good & maybe never can be, sometimes a player is not playing at their best... whatever the reason for whichever results: win or lose a victory was secured by these players taking on the challenge beyond their usual hunting ground.

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Division 4: Brixham Seals secured 7th with a big lead over 8th place, this is our youngest team, in part comprised by the majority of our juniour club players & this season is the first the majority of them have played in the league. Any table tennis player will be able to tell you that wanting to play in the league, turning up, returning to play again fixture after fixture - especially if things have not gone as well as a player or a team would like - takes some doing ESPECIALLY when starting out, the lower divisions are a real proving ground for finding out: Do you want to play table tennis? Can you play table tennis? Do you want to find out how good you can get at playing table tennis?

Nigel Greenfield played 27 games & with a 51.85% win rate & 1 "Player of the Match" award.

Michael Freeman played 21 games with a 42.86% win rate & 1 "Player of the Match" award.

Henry Carter played 20 games with a 30.00% win rate.

Will Mulholland played 18 games with a 50.00% win rate & 2 "Player of the Match" awards.

Wayne Gilbert played 14 games with a 42.86% win rate.

Brian Noades played 15 games.

& Elliott Stobie played 8 games with a 37.50% win rate & 1 "Player of the Match" award.

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The author of this post has played in the bottom division of the league in year's past so speaking from experience can say with certainty that whatever the results, whatever the standings now that the dust has settled (&, along with the dirt on the floor, been cleaned off the bats after having been transferred by the ball...) all our players can rest assured that their efforts - especially our younger, newer & less experienced players - have done the club proud (though don't settle too much as we have practice sessions on the calendar + the 2026 - 2027 league will start in September...)!

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PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE NO TABLE TENNIS MONDAY 4TH MAY AS IT IS A BANK HOLIDAY & THE HALL WE USE IS CLOSED ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE SPORTS CENTRE & GYM BUT WE WILL BE BACK ON MONDAY 11TH MAY TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE OUR GAME SO IF YOU "FANCY A KNOCK" (CASUALLY OR WITH AN EYE ON MAYBE PLAYING IN THE LEAGUE...) WE'LL SEE YOU THEN!

27/04/2026

A brief update before our end of league play round up later this week... hard luck to our team that gave their all against a very tough side that will have given no quarter! Our players have much to be proud of getting to the stage they did & doubly so as they are not as experienced as very many other teams that make up the competition & league in general so onwards to September when the league recommences & the opportunity to reach even dizzier heights shall be on offer!

Also, though not a local fixture one of our coaches Alan Maynard played like a man possessed whilst away over the weekend winning a number of awards including "Best Player". Well done to Alan flying the flag for Brixham Table Tennis Club away from home!

We will be taking the May Bank Holiday Monday 4th May off & will not be holding a session on Monday 4th May but we will be back the following Monday 11th May, 6pm - 9pm playing table tennis at Brixham College Sports Centre so... if you "fancy a knock" we'll see you then.

Thanks to Robert for bringing the papers along recently to share the reports with the club.

25/04/2026

Monday 27th April means that from 6pm to 9pm at Brixham College Sports Centre we'll be SMASHING CHOPPING BLOCKING SPINNING DRIVING & FLOATING (all OFFICIAL Table Tennis Terms) once again!

Please check with Thinking Fitness at Brixham for car parking updates at the sports centre.

As usual, the tables shall be set up in "the lower hall" at the end of the centre corridor, Table Tennis England accredited coaching will be available for those in attendance & if it's your first time at our club there's no charge! (£5 per session thereafter).

Table Tennis is the most versatile bat & ball game due to the ball being "barely there at all", just a thin shell filled with air, allowing for a broad variety of approaches to play, such as top, back & side spins to a degree not possible with other bat/ball combination sports, meaning players will meet opponents capable of all sorts of things, that perhaps they are not - though in turn they will be capable of all sorts of things... too, this results in a great range of potential practice & game play experiences unlike any other bat & ball game!

Some liken Table Tennis to a martial art as all manner of stances, throws & shapes - akin to those seen in pugilist pursuits - can be made by players during their practice & games, again to a degree that other bat & ball games do not provide the chance to display.
Never played table tennis or has it been "some time" since you picked up a bat?

We have spare bats available for use & our club's comprised of players of varying ability & ages, from those starting out & our junior players to more experienced & veteran players, so we will pair you up with someone of similar skill level as an introduction/re-introduction to the game.

Our sessions are loosely structured to start off with practice & drills that vary depending on who is practicing with who - what needs to be worked on & improved such as serving technique, smash technique, how to chop, block, drive... or introduced to their game & as the sessions progresses we'll play games & matches, have mini-tournaments, doubles & maybe even end the session with "Top Table" where all players, irrespective of their ability, have the chance to play against anyone else depending on who rises & falls in the "Top Table" ranks!

21/04/2026

The club would like to thank stalwart Nigel for running the session last night & Henry & Brandon for also assisting, our coaches were unable to attend due to a variety of reasons all coinciding unfortunately for the same session! But all will be back for the session on Monday 27th April same time same place as per usual! Thanks again to Nigel, Henry & Brandon.

Pictured: The Alvis Stalwart, known by servicemen as the Stolly, a highly mobile amphibious military truck. Built by Alvis Cars between 1960 and 1971, these vehicles served with the British Army from 1963 until 1993.

18/04/2026

Monday 20th April means that as per usual from 6pm to 9pm at Brixham College Sports Centre we'll be SMASHING CHOPPING BLOCKING SPINNING DRIVING & FLOATING (all OFFICIAL Table Tennis Terms) once again!

Please check with Thinking Fitness at Brixham for car parking updates at the sports centre.

As usual, the tables shall be set up in "the lower hall" at the end of the centre corridor, Table Tennis England accredited coaching will be available for those in attendance & if it's your first time at our club there's no charge! (£5 per session thereafter).

Table Tennis is the most versatile bat & ball game due to the ball being "barely there at all", just a thin shell filled with air, allowing for a broad variety of approaches to play, such as top, back & side spins to a degree not possible with other bat/ball combination sports, meaning players will meet opponents capable of all sorts of things, that perhaps they are not - though in turn they will be capable of all sorts of things... too, this results in a great range of potential practice & game play experiences unlike any other bat & ball game!

Some liken Table Tennis to a martial art as all manner of stances, throws & shapes - akin to those seen in pugilist pursuits - can be made by players during their practice & games, again to a degree that other bat & ball games do not provide the chance to display.
Never played table tennis or has it been "some time" since you picked up a bat?

We have spare bats available for use & our club's comprised of players of varying ability & ages, from those starting out & our junior players to more experienced & veteran players, so we will pair you up with someone of similar skill level as an introduction/re-introduction to the game.

Our sessions are loosely structured to start off with practice & drills that vary depending on who is practicing with who - what needs to be worked on & improved such as serving technique, smash technique, how to chop, block, drive... or introduced to their game & as the sessions progresses we'll play games & matches, have mini-tournaments, doubles & maybe even end the session with "Top Table" where all players, irrespective of their ability, have the chance to play against anyone else depending on who rises & falls in the "Top Table" ranks!

So, if you "fancy a knock" & "if you want to play we won't turn you away!"

The accompanying photo shows Table Tennis Wales Performance Squad player Charlotte Carey in action & regarding what advice Charlotte Carey would give to aspiring table tennis players who dream of reaching the National level?

“Keep working hard but most importantly enjoy it and do it for yourself!”