In 2011, after a successful drop-in Table Tennis session for children at Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV), the initiative was taken to expand this and develop an Aberdeen Table Tennis Academy, with potential for players to succeed at all levels of the game. Two Level 2 coaches were approached and both agreed to a 6-week ‘trial period’ for the potential TT Academy development.

Now, 15+ years later, over 250 children have regularly attended the ASV TT Academy sessions. There have been 5 selections for European events from Academy players, 2 UK Schools Champions, and a huge number of Scottish Team selections with Academy players often supplying 50% of entire Scottish teams. There have been, and continue to be, several No.1 ranked players within their age groups & gender, several Scottish Champions, and several Scottish Team Champions. One statistic which defines the success of the Aberdeen Table Tennis Academy is the run of Scottish U13 Team Champions for eight consecutive years, a true example of continual and ongoing player development at national level.

The success of the Aberdeen Table Tennis Academy demonstrates what can be achieved through a structured player development programme. A similar model has the potential to succeed at Garioch Sports Centre, bringing opportunities and exciting potential for growth to young table tennis players in the area.

The Garioch Table Tennis Academy was established through a shared vision to bring the successful Aberdeen Table Tennis Academy model to Inverurie. Through his connection with the Inverurie Youth Sports Foundation (IYSF), Donald Pirie arranged a series of meetings with representatives from IYSF and Garioch Sports Centre to discuss the idea. Following these positive discussions, Donald prepared and submitted a funding application, with IYSF agreeing to provide the start-up funding needed to turn the project into a reality.

Garioch Sports Centre was already in possession of 8 competition-standard table tennis tables, acquired in 2017/18. Following a successful funding application submitted to Inverurie Youth Sports Foundation, Garioch Table Tennis Academy was created, with ongoing support from Garioch Sports Centre and Aberdeen & District Table Tennis Association.

In 2022, local schools were invited to participate in free table tennis taster sessions at Garioch Sports Centre. Alongside this, ADTTA Development Officers, Catherine Inverarity and Dave Lomax, were visiting local schools around the Garioch area. Free coach-led table tennis sessions at Garioch Sports Centre followed, offered to children from P4 to S2 until summer 2023. In these early stages, and further down the line, invaluable help was provided by performance coaches Natalie Gallan and Charlie Matthew.

By 2026 the group grew to 12 regular players on the program, with the most promising candidates receiving an invitation to attend sessions at Aberdeen Sports Village and play in the local league.

Catherine Inverarity, the coach driving the development, has done an amazing job, bringing table tennis to local schools and providing after-school provision. This has now developed into vibrant, Inverurie-based weekly coaching sessions, where players can follow a competitive pathway in the sport.

The Garioch Table Tennis Academy aims to create a focused, successful and sustainable player development programme in partnership with Garioch Sports Centre, Inverurie Youth Sports Foundation (IYSF), Aberdeen & District Table Tennis Association (ADTTA), Table Tennis Scotland, and the local Active Schools network.

Led by experienced Coaches and supported by a team of volunteer coaches, the GSC Academy strives to provide a clear pathway for young players to progress from schools and community groups into regular club training. By working closely with local partners, the Academy plans to strengthen participation, grow membership, and encourage more young people to discover and enjoy table tennis.

The programme aims to support players at every stage of their development, creating more opportunities to train, compete and achieve their potential. Success is expected to be reflected through increased participation in local and national competitions, greater representation at national squad training, visits from performance coaches, and a growing number of Academy members progressing through the performance pathway.