Table Tennis England names 11 youngsters for WTT Youth Contender Vila Real

Table Tennis England has named a squad of 11 English youngsters to compete at the WTT Youth Contender Vila Real in Portugal, which runs from 10 to 13 February. The selection blends proven WTT performers with true debutants, giving selectors and supporters a clear look at England’s next generation on an international stage.

"Experienced international competitors and first-timers are among a squad of 11 English youngsters heading to the WTT Youth Contender Vila Real, which starts on Tuesday in Portugal." The announcement highlights four names with established WTT credentials: "Kacper Piwowar (pictured above), Abraham Sellado, Max Radiven and Isaac Kingham need no introduction to WTT events, having competed extensively – and each won medals – on the WTT circuit." Those four provide the squad’s backbone in the older age groups and bring tournament poise to Vila Real.

Selection also hands opportunity to rising players. "Bethany Yang makes her first WTT appearance – though she has competed at the Euro Minis and is due to represent England at the Primary Schools International in April. She is in the Under-13 and Under-15 Girls’ Singles." Yang appears in Under-15 qualifying group 10 alongside Finja Hansen (LUX), Esther Hasek (ESP) and Lara Monteiro (POR), and again in Under-13 qualifying group 3 with Leonor Sousa (POR) and Leonor Ascenco (POR).

The squad is rounded out by homegrown debutants. "The squad is completed by debutant brothers Stefan and Ignacy Wierszyllowksi, who both compete in the Under-11 and Under-13 Boys’ Singles." Stefan is listed in Under-13 qualifying group 11 with Vicente Cardoso (POR), Gabriel Tramonti (FRA) and Julian Alto (ARG). Ignacy appears in Under-13 qualifying group 10 against Lucas Alto (ARG) and Rodrigo Lourenco (POR) and in Under-11 qualifying group 1 with Valentino Alto (ARG), Boris Costa (POR), Daniel Dias (POR) and Lourenco Sena (POR).

England entries also shape the Under-19 mixed doubles draw. "There are also three pairs involving English players competing in the Under-19 Mixed Doubles, where Kingham is partnering Hannah Silcock of Jersey and could meet Radiven & Iles in the second round. Sellado & Pashley are the other pair in the draw." Isaac Kingham is positioned in Under-19 Boys’ Singles qualifying group 4 with Luca Khidasheli (ESP) and Hugo Lapina (FRA), while Max Radiven sits in qualifying group 18 with Lowis Vogler (SUI) and Thijmen Bos (NED).

Table Tennis England’s announcement lists several named players but stops short of reproducing all 11 names in the release. The selection still signals continuity for England’s junior pathway: medal-winning youth with WTT experience alongside fresh faces gaining exposure under tournament pressure. For followers tracking England prospects, Vila Real offers a compact window - watch the mixed doubles pairings and the Under-13 entries for potential breakout performances, and follow the live draws and results through WTT platforms as matches unfold.