Premier BCL action kickstarts in Scotland this weekend!

October 2, 2025 | Connor Whitehead

The Premier Division is back! With a new format and two new teams, the 2025/26 season is set to be electric — and it all kicks off this weekend, with North Ayrshire hosting the first four rounds of action.

For the first time in 10 years, the central-venue format returns. All eight Premier Division sides will meet at one venue to play four fixtures across a weekend. The dates and venues are:

• Rounds 1-4: North Ayrshire TTC, 4-5 October
• Rounds 5-8: BATTS TTC, 13-14 December
• Rounds 9-10: Fusion TTC, 14 February 2026
• Rounds 11-14: Ormesby TTC, 11-12 April 2026.

Brighton TTC are chasing a historic three-peat, having secured back-to-back titles in dramatic final-round victories. Despite having the longest journey to Scotland, the champions will be eager to get their campaign off to a winning start. Ihor Zavadsyki leads the squad for the 25/26 season, joined by Swedish star David Andersson — last yearâ€s top performer by average (of those who played more than eight matches) — and Welsh No 1 Callum Evans. We may also see Paralympic champion Will Bayley throughout the season, who went 4/4 last season, or new signing Felix Thomis, a former Junior Doubles national champion.

Brighton TTC 2024/25 champions

Newcomers eBaTT face a baptism of fire as they take on reigning champions Brighton in their opening fixture. Led by the well-established Eli Baraty, the North London side features a mix of experience and new faces. Czech international Simon Belik, a multi-time European champion, headlines the squad. He is joined by former Iranian international Matin Lotfollah Nasabi, former Ghanaian No 1 Derek Abrefa (who competed at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games), and English players Sammy Kaye, Christopher Lewis, and Sam Mabey — a former Premier Division winner with Ormesby.

Irish side Ormeau TTC return to Premier action after missing the 2024/25 season. The 2022/23 champions will once again call on Spaniard Oriol Monzo, who helped secure their first British title. He is supported by a strong line-up which holds a wealth of international experience, including Paul McCreery, Sophie Earley, Jonathon Mooney, Adam Faulkner, and rising star Peadar Sheridan, who recently represented Ireland at the Youth Olympic Festival.

Last seasonâ€s runners-up Ormesby TTC open their campaign against Ormeau, and look set to field a side full of familiar faces. England’s David McBeath remains their No 1, alongside international regulars José Enio Mendes (Portugal), Yoan Rebetez (Switzerland), and Humberto Manhani Jnr (Brazil). Young English talents Ben Piggott and new signing Louis Price — who may be better known as “The Beastâ€Â â€” could also feature for the Middlesbrough based side.

Hosts North Ayrshire will look to capitalise on home advantage to start strongly. Every registered player has previously featured for the club at this level, giving them valuable experience which may prove helpful. Scottish international Martin Johnson leads his boyhood club, joined by Sweden’s Viktor Gorman — who impressed last season with 11 wins from 12 matches. Fellow Scots Chris Main and Colin Dalgleish may also line up for the hosts.

Drumchapel Glasgow have the shortest trip of the weekend and will look to get off to winning ways on their Scottish rivals’ home territory. After ending last season’s campaign in sixth place, the team will be fired up and ready to ensure a stronger campaign in the 25/26 season. Their squad includes stalwarts Danny Bajwa and Victor Guang Shi, Para Class 8 world No 1 Aaron McKibbin, and BUCS individuals champion Xinliang Sun.

BATTS of Harlow have been consistent title challengers in recent years, and boast a squad packed with depth and quality — making team selection a welcome headache for coach Cliff Carder. Their weekend one fixtures pit them against both Scottish sides, newcomers eBaTT, and London rivals Fusion. The line-up includes unbeaten Frenchman Alexis Douin, Haotian Chen, Ralph Pattison, Josh Bennett, plus exciting new signings Isaac Kingham and Abraham Sellado.

Fusion TTC face a daunting schedule, meeting the hosts North Ayrshire before consecutive clashes with last seasonâ€s top three: BATTS, Ormesby and Brighton. Father-and-son duo Larry and Lorestas Trumpauskas return, joined by Shaquille Webb-Dixon — fresh from a Sussex 4* victory over club-mate Larry in the final. Joshua Bruce and Robert Pelc also remain key squad members and could be set to feature in the opening weekend of action.

The action begins at 10:30am, Saturday 4 October, with one match per round streamed live on the Table Tennis England YouTube channel, alongside match highlights from every fixture across the weekend. Full fixtures, results, and tables are available on the official British Club Leagues website.

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