(a) To promote and encourage the playing of table tennis at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

(b) To organise table tennis competitions and associated functions.

(c) To enter table tennis teams into local leagues.

For all prospective new members, joining is simple.

(a) All you need to do is to come along one lunchtime to the table tennis club room in building R58 and have a look around and if possible speak to the players that might be there; or maybe bring a like minded friend who is also interested in table tennis with you and bring your own bat and ball. Feel free to start playing table tennis. Switch on the flood lighting when playing and at the end of the table tennis session please switch off the flood lighting before leaving.

The idea is that potential new members can try out playing table tennis at the RAL TT club. These visits can last for a few weeks before actually joining and paying the annual club subscription.

(b) Another way is to telephone anyone on the RAL TT Club committee, who can then make arrangements to meet you in the club room and to show you around and explain how the club is set up etc.

(c) Fill in and return the club membership application form.

Remember you must also be a Full or Associate member of the RAL Rec Soc.

We have an excellent club room which has enough floor space for two tables with dedicated flood lighting over each table.

Some bats and balls are usually available in the cupboard, however most participants find it beneficial to bring their own table tennis bat which they are more familiar with, and to bring some balls in case there are not enough around. Players are recommended to bring sports shoes to get a better grip while playing and avoid leaving marks or dirt on the floor.

We also use the larger Sports Hall in the evening. This room also has dedicated flood lighting and is used mainly for league matches. It is booked out to our club to cover for scheduled match nights etc. The match table is meant for league use only.

R58 has a lounge. Male and female changing rooms with shower facilities are located in the amenities building next door.

Lunchtime table tennis is run informally depending what the participants want and how many come to a particular session. Typically, we would play singles and stay on the table for two games then let the next player have two games, this way it works out like a round robin approach to games which ensures that everyone has a go and meets different players. It can have a competitive edge if you want it to or at other times it could be stroke play practice etc. However, if the club room was crowded then we would go for playing doubles.

We also run box leagues which can be played at lunchtimes if wanted. See box league section below for more information.

Table tennis is a very skilful sport at the highest level. However, all standards of player from complete beginners through to the various levels in local table tennis league divisions are welcome. So it does not matter what standard you are, you are most welcome. You will be surprised how well your playing skills will improve with practice. If you wanted to develop your playing skills further you could consider playing evening league table tennis.

Box League

In September 2006, RAL Table Tennis Box Leagues began. The main objective of the league is to provide social exchange between players of similar standard. All standards are catered for from beginners to experienced players.

Further details are available or contact the League Organisers -

Anders Markvardsen, R 2, Room 1.12, Ext 5137, anders.markvardsen@stfc.ac.uk
Tom Griffin, R2 1.12, Ext 5331, tom.griffin@stfc.ac.uk

Table Tennis is a winter sport so the league fixtures season runs from September until April. A team consists of 3 players which are picked usually from a larger squad of say 4 or 5 players registered for that team. These additional players cover when arrangements clash or for sickness etc.; it also caters for those players who want to play occasionally for the team.

There are usually 10 to 12 teams in a division; each team plays home and away. This means about 22 evening league matches are played throughout the season. The league also runs two handicap competitions (optional) and tournaments, which means a few more matches may be played.

The committee runs the evening league side of our club and individual team captains run the teams. Therefore, for those interested players who would like to take part in more serious table tennis play, then evening league maybe the answer. It has the best of both worlds, it has that competitive edge, yet it also has a friendly and sociable side. It is a way of meeting a network of new friends.

The Club would like to thank the RAL Rec Soc for providing funds to:
Enter teams in the local leagues;
Supplying team players with a club shirt;
Renovating all the club nets to an acceptable standard.

Trophies 2011/2012 Season

The club is pleased to announce that:

RAL A have finished runners up in DDTTA Division 1.

RAL D have finished runners up in  DDTTA Division 3.

RAL C (Tim Pett, Brian Wyborn, Neil Oastler, Dave Wynn    L to R) were runners up in the DDTTA Handicap Shield.

Richard Burton (right) was winner in the DDTTA Division 1 Individual Championship

Brian Wyborn (right) was runner up in the DDTTA Division 2 Individual Championship.

Geoff Burton won the Research Council Indoor Sports TT competition at the Oasis Centre, Swindon on 2nd March 2012.

A copy of the Club's report to the RAL Rec Soc AGM 24/4/2012 is now available.

Table Tennis Coaching Videos, DVDs and Robot

The club has purchased several coaching videos and DVDs namely
'Learning to Play the Game'
'Advanced Stroke Play'
'Playing with Pimples'
'Pimples Technique'.

We have also purchased a TT robot to help club members practice strokes.

If you wish to borrow any of these please they are in the locked cupboard in the TT room. All paid up club members will be given the code. Please enter your loan in the book provided and return as soon as you have finished with it.