September 15, 2025 | Alan Lane
The Milton Keynes Table Tennis Centre came alive yesterday as players of all ages and abilities took part in the latest Ping Aspire Series event – a celebration of fun, friendly competition and the power of table tennis to bring people together.
From complete beginners to returning players, everyone had the chance to test their skills, make new friends and enjoy a buzzing day of matches. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with one player summing it up simply: “All of it – I loved every moment!â€
Inclusive, fun and inspiring
One of the standout aspects of the Aspire events is their inclusivity. Martin, who usually plays at a Parkinsonâ€s table tennis group, was thrilled to join in:
“Iâ€ve only been playing a year, and mostly socially, but I wanted to see how my game stood up against people without Parkinsonâ€s. I won a couple, lost a few, and made it through to the second round – which might have been a mistake because Iâ€m being battered! But Iâ€m learning loads. Itâ€s terrific to see the talent in these youngsters. Itâ€s been good fun and quite inspiring – makes you want to whoop!â€
Jonathan, who discovered the tournament through the Northants Table Tennis Facebook page, praised the balance of competition:
“I was expecting to completely lose a lot, but itâ€s great to see all the different levels here – anything can happen! The second stage, where you play people closer to your level, was especially fun and helped me think more about my style and decisions. Itâ€s really good experience.â€
For Pran Fernando, the event rekindled a passion from childhood:
“I played table tennis at school and university, then stopped for years. I got back into it recently with my local club, and entering this was perfect practice before the new season. Itâ€s definitely worthwhile if youâ€re new and looking to meet people and play at your own level. Huge thanks to Milton Keynes Table Tennis Centre for a wonderful venue.â€
Strong competition across the board
The event wasnâ€t just about fun – the standard of play was impressively competitive, with thrilling rallies and plenty of surprises. Event sponsor Bribar generously provided vouchers for the winners and runners up.
Section 1 winner: Ben Stoneman
Runner-up: Jonathan Lane
Section 2 winner: Zachary Cliffe
Runner-up: Jack Burke
Congratulations to all the winners, and to every player who brought their best game and their best smiles.
A winning formula
Survey results from the day told the story loud and clear – with the majority of players giving Aspire top marks for enjoyment, organisation and inclusivity. Comments included “playing against different people I donâ€t usually face,†and “everybody was nice and friendly – Iâ€ll definitely recommend it to my friends.â€
The Aspire Series continues to grow in popularity, offering a perfect mix of fun, fairness and community spirit. Whether youâ€re picking up a bat for the first time, returning after years away, or sharpening your competitive edge, thereâ€s a place for you.
Ping Aspire is all about connection, competition and having a great time – and Milton Keynes was proof of just how magical that mix can be.
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