A glittering anniversary fundraising Centenary Gala Dinner was held on Sunday 27th March to celebrate the centenary of Table Tennis England.
ITTF President Petra Sörling presented a gift to Table Tennis England to congratulate the organisation on reaching 100 years.
“I would like to send my warm congratulations to Table Tennis England. With endless passion, hard work and dedication, England has nurtured many table tennis legends, and its contribution to our sport is immense. Table Tennis England is a frontrunner within ITTF family.” Petra Sörling
Hundreds of guests met after the English national championships, including former European champions Jill Hammersley-Parker and John Hilton, and others including the great Desmond Douglas, Mary Wright, Paul Day and Matthew Syed as well as current and recent England athletes and para athletes.
“We were thrilled to welcome Petra to join our celebration and very grateful for the wonderful gift from the ITTF. We have a very special relationship with the ITTF, which confirms the bond that our sport creates, uniting people across the globe in shared passion for table tennis – and long may that continue. 2026 will see the ITTF centenary and we are hoping London will play a central part in that celebration, as it did in 1926 when it hosted the first world championships.” Table Tennis England Chairperson Sandra Deaton
The date of 7 November 1921 is accepted as the founding of England’s governing body. It was renamed as the Table Tennis Association in 1922, and the name changed again in 1927 to the English Table Tennis Association (ETTA), an identity which endured until the rebrand to Table Tennis England in 2014.
Table Tennis England has also published a special book on this occasion.
“English Table Tennis at 100 – A Century in Photographs” showcases the pictures which perfectly illustrate the key moments, events, performances and people over the 100-year history.
- Place your order: English Table Tennis at 100 – A Century in Photographs