Table Tennis England Reports Bounce Ping Pong Donation to London Clubs, Schools

Bounce Ping Pong has supplied bats, balls and nets to two community clubs and their linked school programmes in London, Table Tennis England reported on 26 February 2026, naming Clissold Table Tennis Club and St Luke’s Table Tennis Club as recipients in the boroughs of Hackney and Islington. The governing body said the equipment donation was intended to bolster grassroots sessions and remove barriers for new players.

Chris Bekli, who runs the clubs, welcomed the boost and spelled out the impact on beginners and young people. “This generous contribution will have a direct and lasting impact on our players, especially beginners and young people who are just starting their journey in the sport. Access to quality equipment removes barriers, builds confidence, and allows more players to train, compete, and fall in love with the game,” Bekli said, adding that the donation will help expand sessions and create inclusive spaces.

Separately, a school-level campaign led by the Jack Petchey Foundation in partnership with Table Tennis England has placed tables in schools across the country. Local reporting on the Bow school case noted that Central Foundation Girls’ School received two table tennis tables after a successful bid, and that about 80 pupils now play at break and lunchtimes from a school roll of 1,500 students. Matt Walsh, school community manager at Central Foundation Girls’ School, called the new equipment “a roaring success” and said, “The social benefits are really rewarding.”

The Jack Petchey Foundation and Table Tennis England partnership has delivered tables at scale: so far 1,600 tables have been donated to 350 schools around the country, a tally cited in the Bow school coverage. Local aims include increased participation and entry into an inter-schools table tennis league being organised between borough schools, with pupils queuing to play at breaktimes in Bow.

Bounce’s community work extended beyond kit donations. State of Play Hospitality posted on LinkedIn that some Bounce team members completed a London to Brighton bike ride in support of Hackney Quest and raised £3,000 to help local young people and families. Social media reaction included an Instagram post praising Bounce Ping Pong for making “a big impact in London's table tennis community,” reflecting positive local sentiment around the company’s outreach.

Table Tennis England’s 26 February 2026 item included a photo caption noting “Chris Bekli (pictured above), who runs the clubs,” while images from the Bow school story carry credit to Stephen Pover. With donations ranging from bats and nets at club level to thousands of tables in schools, local organisers say the new kit is already increasing daily play and widening access. “We are incredibly grateful to Bounce for backing grassroots development and investing in the future of the sport in our community. We can’t wait to put everything into action.”