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.
๐ฃ๏ธ โI never thought Iโd pick up a bat again, but WTTC has given me new friends, confidence, and so much laughter.โ
๐ โThe sessions are welcoming and relaxed โ Iโve made more progress in three months than I ever expected.โ
๐ โVolunteering here has been so rewarding. Itโs not just about table tennis, itโs about seeing people thrive together.โ
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
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
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ง โMy child struggled with confidence, but the friendly coaching here has been transformative. They come home smiling every week.โ
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.