Spinneroos a big hit through Sporting Schools initiative

Table Tennis Australia’s (TTA) Spinneroos program has seen great success through Sport Australia’s Sporting Schools initiative with 18,732 students participating last year.
 
Spinneroos was carried out across 186 schools throughout Australia in 2021, introducing the sport of table tennis through a range of fun activities.
 
Hills Montessori teacher Attila Nandori said it was great to see the students' enjoyment for each session. 
 
“Staff and parents have mentioned how excited the students are about coming to the table tennis sessions,” he said.
“Students are not put on the spot to succeed or fail in front of each other. Rather they are given the opportunity to participate in modified games that assist with developing the relevant skills for table tennis,” Nandori added.

Mid-way through 2021, Sport Australia introduced the Club Connect initiative, which was piloted by 18 National Sporting Organisations, including TTA. It is an extension to the current Sporting Schools program, aimed at linking up primary schools with local clubs. 

As such, 11 table tennis Club Connect programs were delivered across the Northern Territory, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia. Anula Primary School with the support of Darwin Table Tennis Association was one of the first Club Connect programs in the country. 
 
Teacher Ryan Starkey, who is also a member of the Darwin Table Tennis Association explained the importance of the program.
 
“The coaching sessions have been a fantastic way to engage a range of students across different ages and abilities, in a fun and free program,” he said.

“Parents have loved the opportunity to get their children involved with coaching and utilising the equipment and expertise provided in their own primary school, around familiar faces.”

TTA will further expand their Spinneroos program, partnering with Special Olympics Australia to deliver the program to special education schools, set to launch in Term 1 2022. 
 
The benefits of Spinneroos within the special education environment have already been seen after Northern Territory’s Nemarluk School delivered a modified program to students.
 
“The program is inclusive and can be modified to cater for all students,” said teacher Carmine Adamo. “Students worked together and grew in confidence after each session. Hitting a table tennis ball and getting active was enough for them to gain encouragement from their peers.”

Keep an eye out for the next round of Sporting Schools Grant applications and encourage schools in your community to choose table tennis.
 
Clubs or coaches keen to deliver Sporting Schools programs in 2022, please contact anshul@tabletennis.org.au.
 
Find out more information about Sporting Schools here.