MEMBERS of the Okehampton Table Tennis Club are delighted to have been awarded a grant of £4,512 from Sport England.
The money breaks down to £2,156 for equipment, £650 for coach education/training, £1,000 for coaching and £706 for junior development.
Club secretary Duane Elliott said he was delighted with the award.
'Our club is being recognised for its commitment to improving table tennis in this very rural area. We have a wide range of ages and abilities spread over a huge catchment area.'
He said the award would allow the club to become the reason it was thought about six years ago — a centre of excellence for table tennis.
'Premiere status of excellence standard is our goal to achieve — coaching and training of players to county level, then eventually the England Squad. That is the club committee's dream,' he said.
'Regular attendance is essential for flowing coaching and that is why we are here. Everyone who is willing to make that commitment will be given the same in return.'
Mr Elliott stressed there is a welcome for everyone —from people who just want to knock the ball about to people who want to seriously improve their competitive playing.
'Okehampton has a sports centre with a great future to put itself among its peers. Let's support it with the help it deserves.'