November 5, 2025 | Paul Stimpson
Table Tennis England and Special Olympics Great Britain have collaborated to create a new development plan designed to increase sporting opportunities for children and adults with an intellectual (learning) disability.
Launched today, the Table Tennis Development Planseeks to:
- Build closer relationships between accredited clubs of Special Olympics GB and Table Tennis England
- Develop a stronger competition pathway for people with an intellectual disability
- Help current and potential coaches and match officials upskill by accessing appropriate sport-wide qualifications
“Table tennis is a fantastically inclusive sport, and it is one of our most popular within the Special Olympics GB movement,†said Chris Smith, Head of Sport for Development at Special Olympics GB. “Last year we had around 160 athletes regularly playing the game at 18 clubs, while five competitions and training weekends were staged.
“Working together, we can make the game even more accessible and break down barriers to entry. Table Tennis England has the infrastructure and a strong club and coach development network. At Special Olympics GB we bring vast expertise in delivering sport to people with an intellectual disability and transforming lives, so itâ€s a great partnership to build.
“Weâ€re very excited to strengthen this relationship with the national governing body and hope to extend and replicate similar models with Table Tennis Scotland and Table Tennis Wales.â€
Jenny Leach, Senior Programmes and Partnerships Manager at Table Tennis England, said: “Weâ€ll be looking to understand from our coaches what further support they need to deliver more accessible and inclusive sessions.
“Ultimately, we want to make table tennis as inclusive as possible, and we look forward to working with Special Olympics GB to grow the game for players with an intellectual disability of all abilities.â€
Table tennis is one of the most popular sports in the Special Olympics GB movement and becomes the second sport to have a formal development plan launched – following last monthâ€s release of the Tennis Development Plan in partnership with the LTA.
As a charity using the power of sport to transform the lives of children and adults with an intellectual disability, Special Olympics GB is developing plans for all of its Tier One sports (most popular) in collaboration with the appropriate national governing bodies and its National Sports Advisors.
For further information on table tennis within the Special Olympics GB movement, or details on joining a club, please click here.
About Special Olympics GB
Special Olympics Great Britain (GB), set up in 1978, is a non-profit charity which provides year-round sports coaching and athletic competition in summer and winter sports for more than 12,000 children and adults with an intellectual disability.
It currently has 98 accredited programmes in England, Scotland and Wales and provides coaching and competition opportunities in 27 sports. These programmes are run by nearly devoted 6,000 volunteers.
Special Olympics GB is more than just an opportunity to take part in sport – it transforms lives.  It provides opportunities to increase confidence, realise potential, develop physical fitness and mental well-being, demonstrate courage and experience new friendships. 
The work of Special Olympics GB is currently funded by individuals, trust and corporate donations and financial support is crucial to enable us to continue our work.
Discover more from 6up.net
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.