Top table! Paddington Academy kids play table tennis with stars of the game

Published: 18 February 2011
by JOSH LOEB

PING-PONG pupils have enjoyed a smashing day with the biggest names in English table tennis.

Youngsters at Paddington Academy trained with two of the country’s most successful players, Peter Cleminson and Gareth Herbert, and viewed an exhibition about the sport.

The school, which aims to become a Table Tennis Academy, is the first in Westminster to organise an event of this kind.

There are currently more than 30 students participating in table tennis coaching sessions and matches during lunchtimes and after school hours.  

The academy is planning to extend its current provision in the hope of creating the next junior champions – and staff say they are hoping to produce future Olympic medalists.