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Moray Table Tennis Club goes from strength to strength with young star Alexander Stepney (11) being selected for Scotland development squad


By Craig Christie

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Moray Table Tennis Club is looking to recruit new members, inspired by the success on one of their young stars.

Alexander Stepney in action at the Perth Open. Photo: Tony Carroll
Alexander Stepney in action at the Perth Open. Photo: Tony Carroll

Re-formed in 2016, the club has steadily attracted more people to the sport and has added an extra weekly session in an effort to increase numbers even further.

Sessions had been running once a week at Moray College, under the supervision of one of their students, Emma Coutts.

She then enlisted the help of Tony Carroll, who along with Emma took on a level 1 coaching qualification with the Table Tennis Scotland governing body.

And the club had helped to develop the talents of 11-year-old player Alexander Stepney, who has attracted the attention of Scotland selectors.

Eleven-year-old Alexander Stepney has been selected for the Scotland development squad. Photo: Tony Carroll
Eleven-year-old Alexander Stepney has been selected for the Scotland development squad. Photo: Tony Carroll

A strong link was developed with Inverness Table Tennis Club, who always welcomed any of the Moray players to travel through and join their sessions.

Tony explained: "Some of the players took up the opportunity for extra training and coaching with their coaches.

"One of the young players, Alexander has been travelling to Inverness at least three times a week for extra coaching and practice.

"He has come on so much, he recently was selected along with one of the young players from Inverness for the Scotland development squad."

The Inverness player, Connor Cadden, was joined by both Alexander and Tony in representing the Highland club in the Nations League.

Connor Cadden, Tony Carroll and Alexander Stepney have been playing in the national league.
Connor Cadden, Tony Carroll and Alexander Stepney have been playing in the national league.

"After the success of the club, we are now wanting to expand the opportunity for more people to come along and play table tennis," Tony said.

He said as well as the regular Thursday session at Moray College (4.30-6pm), a new session begins tonight (October 24) at Moray Sports Centre (6pm-8pm).

"This means players who previously couldn’t attend the earlier session at the college now have the opportunity to come and join us on Tuesdays," he said. "It also means the players can go to both sessions."

Sessions are becoming more popular at Moray Table Tennis Club.
Sessions are becoming more popular at Moray Table Tennis Club.

Anyone wishing to try out the sport for the first time or keen to return to table tennis is encouraged to attend the new Tuesday stints and give it a go.

Alexander Stepney recently reached the semi-finals of the Perth Open at under-13 boys.



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