PING! Bounces into Worthing

Free ping pong is bouncing into Worthing this month in time for local residents to enjoy summer in the great outdoors.

The Ping! team have shared table tennis tables and equipment, placed in popular public places so people of all abilities and ages can pick up a paddle and give the game a go.

The launch at Denton Gardens in Brighton Road, Worthing, at 1pm (23rd June) is an open invitation to the local community. This first occasion kick starts a series of games and tournaments at Denton Gardens, Victoria Park and Homefield Park. Included in the matches is a celebration of National Table Tennis Day with taster coaching sessions at Denton Gardens.

The aim of the Ping! Project is to remove barriers to sport and physical activity, giving everyone a chance to play one of the world’s most popular activities.

To mark the 10th anniversary of Ping! Table Tennis England is joining forces with Adur & Worthing Councils and local club Worthing Ping United to bring the concept to the area.

Councillor Val Turner, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing, said:

“This is a great opportunity for people in our community to increase their health and wellbeing and it’s another great reason to get out and enjoy our lovely parks and open spaces. Ping! has a track record of removing barriers and encouraging people of all ages to get active.”

Ping! Began in 2010 as a six-week London street ping pong festival, and has evolved into a year-round collection of projects taking ping pong to the people.

Now in its 10th year, thousands of tables are now available in public and community spaces for people from all walks of life to enjoy with an estimated two million people playing the sport in these locations in the last year.

The scheme is being driven by Worthing Ping United, who currently run sessions for all levels and ages at Sidney Walter Centre on Saturdays and Mondays during slots when it was previously closed.

David Scurr, who recently co-founded Worthing Ping United with friends Cedric Scrivani and Naqeeb Saide, said:

“We believe that table tennis is a great leveller, a lot of fun and can foster strong community engagement. We plan on organising a variety of fun events over the summer to encourage everyone to be more active, try something different and feel part of something fresh and exciting in the local community. Worthing is the perfect place to do this!”