Solihull Council has signed a partnership with Table Tennis England to jointly fund new outdoor permanent table tennis tables to be placed in local parks across the borough.
This exciting project hopes to make table tennis more accessible and is aimed at increasing opportunities for local residents to be more be active. The new table tennis tables will mean allow anyone can play for free.
Solihull’s parks were chosen as place to install the tables as they are popular with residents and are open to everyone free of charge, which can only help address health inequalities. Enabling inactive residents to increase their physical activity levels not only benefits their physical health but their mental health too.
The tables are to be installed during spring 2021 and they will be open for public use once the COVID restrictions allow. The Council is currently surveying parks to find the most suitable sites for these tables.
This project is part of Solihull Active’s ‘Solihull on the Move’, an initiative by the Council to create healthier, stronger and more sustainable communities through physical activity & sport.
Councillor Joe Tildesley, Solihull Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism & Sport, said:
“This is a fabulous project, which I’m sure will prove to be very popular when the COVID restrictions allow. We know our parks are popular and here is another incentive to enjoy a walk as well as taking part in a sport.
“Long-term, our hope is that we can encourage communities and local table tennis clubs to get involved and support the project by volunteering and providing group social sessions wherever possible.
“We’re really grateful to Table Tennis England for their support and together I hope we will see more people enjoying the sport, getting fitter and making friends.”
Colin Eley, Partnerships Manager at Table Tennis England, said:
“The flexible nature of the sport means we can look forward to creating a wide range of different ways to play, whether competitively or socially, for people from all walks of life.
“Sharing the same passion, we’re excited to be working closely with Solihull Active to take ‘Ping Pong to the People’ and to help everyone get ‘more active, more often’. As restrictions ease, we look to welcome people back into outdoor public spaces and play on tables for FREE.”