This weekend Stephen Slater, Neill Irwin, Ashley Robinson, Ashley Givan travel to Cardiff as part of the Northern Ireland under 18 table tennis team competing in the fourth UK School Games.

This the first time for Stephen and Neill to play at the event which means that half of the team now come from Tyrone and Fermanagh.

The players will compete in the team and individual events from September 3-7 against top players from five English regions as well as Scottish and Welsh teams.

Altogether around 1,600 elite athletes will compete in 10 different sports.

The table tennis individual and team competitions involve 82 players on twelve tables.

The table tennis events includes wheelchairs and players with learning disabilities.

The UK School Games has grown since the inaugural event in Glasgow in 2006 and has now increased to ten sports, integrating three disability events.

With so many athletes competing and exceptional sports facilities, the UK School Games seeks to create an inspirational and motivational setting, encouraging more young people to take part and succeed in sport.

BUTTERFLY IRISH JUNIOR CLASSIFICATION

The first Irish junior ranking tournament of the season is in Dublin on 12th September with under 10,12,14 and seventeen events.

Full details on the ITTA website.

NEW SEASON AT CLOGHER CLUB

The new table tennis season commences on Monday night 7th September at Carntall Presbyterian church hall outside Clogher from 7-9pm and will comntinue each Monday at the same times.

New players are welcome especially primary school pupils, indeed anyone of any age wishing to start the sport.

It is also possible to learn from and even play against some of the top junior players in Ireland as well as experienced players from Poland at the club.

Players also have the opportunity to play in Irish or Ulster events as well as in the local Greystone and Fermanagh leagues.