THE West Somerset Table Tennis Association has been awarded a Sport England grant of £9,700, which will be used to develop the sport at Minehead Middle School, Foxes Academy, West Somerset Community College and West Somerset Sports Centre.

As well as providing eight new tables, nets and equipment, the grant will also fund the provision of coaching manuals and courses, and outdoor tables are to be erected at both the middle school and college.

The overall aim of the project is to encourage more juniors to participate in the sport, strengthen the already developing partnerships the association enjoys with Foxes, the sports centre and the schools, and increase the flow of new young players into the West Somerset Junior and Senior Table Tennis Leagues.

Pictured at the cheque presentation are, from the left, Dave Veale (association president), Vince Court (coach), Martyn Summerell (coach and association chairman), Johnathan Reed (West Somerset Community College), Barbara Parker (association secretary), Dave Salway (Minehead Middle School), Amy Fielding (Foxes Academy) and Suzanne Richards (Minehead Sports Centre).