Embedded Files
Introduction
Introduction
๐ At Thrive Together, powered by the Weston Table Tennis Community (WTTC), we believe table tennis changes lives.
Here are just some of the stories from our members, volunteers, and leaders.
Story 1 โ Member, Age 62
Story 1 โ Member, Age 62
๐ฃ๏ธ โI never thought Iโd pick up a bat again, but WTTC has given me new friends, confidence, and so much laughter.โ
Story 2 โ Beginner Player
Story 2 โ Beginner Player
๐ โThe sessions are welcoming and relaxed โ Iโve made more progress in three months than I ever expected.โ
Story 3 โ Volunteer
Story 3 โ Volunteer
๐ โVolunteering here has been so rewarding. Itโs not just about table tennis, itโs about seeing people thrive together.โ
Story 4 โ Retired Participant
Story 4 โ Retired Participant
๐ โAfter retiring, I felt a bit lost. Coming to WTTC gave me purpose again โ Iโve made new friends, kept active, and even entered a local competition.โ
Story 5 โ New Resident
Story 5 โ New Resident
๐ โAs someone new to Weston, joining the sessions helped me feel part of the community straight away. I was welcomed from day one.โ
Story 6 โ Parent
Story 6 โ Parent
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ง โMy child struggled with confidence, but the friendly coaching here has been transformative. They come home smiling every week.โ
Story 7: Founderโs Story โ Steve Longmoor
Story 7: Founderโs Story โ Steve Longmoor
๐ โMy Passion for Coaching Table Tennisโ
Iโm Steve Longmoor, 62 years old next February ('26), and table tennis has been part of my life since I was a boy. I first played on an old wooden door in my dadโs attic โ and I was hooked. The speed, the precision, the camaraderie โ I loved every minute.
I stopped playing regularly at 16 when I joined the Army as a Junior Leader, but returned 41 years later in 2021, just as the country was emerging from Covid lockdowns. What I saw saddened me: the sport I loved had faded in Weston and in the North East where I grew up. So I decided to act.
Since then, Iโve:
๐ Qualified as a Table Tennis England Level 1 and Level 2 coach
๐ Founded Thrive Together, the charity behind Weston Table Tennis Community (WTTC)
๐ฅ Built a 10-strong Board of Directors, appointed a Head Coach, and developed apprentice coaches and tournament officials
๐ Served as Table Tennis Englandโs National Councillor for Somerset, and narrowly missed out (by one vote!) on becoming National Council Chairman
๐ Proudly received the Table Tennis England National Male Volunteer of the Year award in 2023
For me, coaching isnโt about recognition. Itโs about helping people thrive โ especially children and young people. Over my life Iโve taught hundreds, maybe thousands, in many sports: skiing, skydiving, football, basketball, cricket, even chess and darts. But table tennis has always been special.
Why? Because it teaches more than just technique. It teaches:
๐ค Teamwork โ supporting each other
๐ Sportsmanship โ playing fair and respecting opponents
๐ช Perseverance โ learning from setbacks and never giving up
I love watching people learn and grow, both on and off the table. Seeing them smile, improve, develop, and find belonging is the best reward I could ever ask for.
Thatโs what Thrive Together is all about. Through WTTC, weโre building not just players, but people โ helping everyone, at every age, find confidence, friendship, and joy in their physical and mental health.
Page updated
Report abuse