HelPing! Hands needed

Once again this summer, Exeter will see Ping! table tennis tables springing up in public places around Exeter as part of the National Table Tennis Association’s Ping! initiative.

Active Devon, the local organisers ensured that last year’s event was a runaway success with over 30,000 people from across Exeter enjoying table tennis for free over the summer.

The countdown to this year’s big launch in June is now underway and Active Devon would like some fun loving helPing! hands over the summer.

Those who are interested in a spot of volunteering are invited to enjoy some hands on Ping! fun and games on Monday 8th June from 5.30-6.45 at Exeter City Football Club. If you were in any doubt about giving it a try, here’s what Howard Back a volunteer from last year’s event had to say about the experience.

“Volunteering for Ping! last summer was so much fun. There is a great team spirit among the volunteers and the Active Devon staff. It’s not volunteering in the traditional sense, it’s just a chance to be really sociable in a sport that everyone is willing to try. I am certainly coming back for more this year!”.

Katy Leonard, Ping Coordinator at Active Devon re-iterated this message: “Our volunteers are the public face of Ping! Exeter. If they are having fun and enjoying table tennis, then everyone around them picks up on that enthusiasm. The whole campaign is fun, lively and community focused, so we are looking to match this with like minded volunteers. Everyone is welcome along to Exeter City Football Club to find out more”.

This year there will be over 40 tables in various locations around Exeter and several summer events and festivals. Active Devon, whose mission is Everyone in Devon Active for Life have chosen locations for the Ping! tables that will really get people of all fitness levels thinking about picking up a bat and challenging a friend or a stranger to a game of Ping! for free.

"As well as all the usual locations in Exeter’s parks, shopping centres, leisure centres, pubs and community venues, new table locations  for this year include Exeter Airport, Exeter Cathedral, Exeter Science Park and BCHA - Gabriel House. When you spot a table Active Devon say ‘Don’t be shy, give Ping! a try!”

As the Ping! Summer extravaganza gathers momentum, the spotlight on table tennis continues for National Table Tennis Day, now in its second year, which takes place on Thursday 16th July. There will be a family focus and the Ping! tables around Exeter will be hot with activities, competitions and come and try events.

Active Devon look forward to welcoming people who are interested in volunteering for Ping! at Exeter City Football Club on Monday 8th June from 5.30. If you are unable to make the event and would like to find out more about volunteering with Ping! get in touch with Active Devon www.activedevon.org or call 01392 263674.

For a full list of table tennis locations in Exeter see www.pingexeter.co.uk