A key element of ADTTA’s mission is to increase the number of participants playing table tennis. On the basis that it is best to start playing at an early age, ADTTA has for a long time supported a programme to introduce school children to the game. Typically, children have adequate hand-eye coordination to start playing when in Primary 4, although occasionally at an earlier age.

In the 1960s and 1970s many Primary Schools played table tennis and formal coaching programmes can be traced back to the early 1960s. For a number of years Max Singer organised a successful Primary School League.

In the late 1980s the McClymont Hall on Holburn Street was established as the main coaching venue for juniors, with Max Singer and Charlie Matthew as the lead coaches, with invaluable help from a team of volunteers, resulting in national success for many talented youngsters.

In collaboration with the local Active Schools network, which was formed in 2004, the late Charlie Flint started running taster sessions in City and Shire Primaries for children in P4 to P7 classes, usually during curriculum time. These aimed to give a first introduction to table tennis, teaching basic techniques but always ending with fun games!

When the ASV Academy for juniors was set up in 2011 (see Table Tennis Academy), a programme of coaching for the 7 local primary schools was generously funded by Saltire Energy for several years. Taster sessions were given by Max Singer and helpers to all P4 to P7 classes in each Primary School. Over the years several future stars were identified and invited to join the ASV Academy. Yifei Fang from Sunnybank Primary School in 2013 (Image 2) was presented with the Under 13 Scottish champion’s medal by Charlie Flint in 2017 (Image 3). During this period, opportunities were given to many other schools as well.

From 2011 until 2020 and the onset of the Covid pandemic, on average 1500 children in 20 schools throughout Aberdeen City and Shire were given tasters each year. Also from 2013 to 2020, school leagues were again organised at ASV during Academy sessions (see Table Tennis Academy) to give the younger talented players a first taste of competitive table tennis.

More recently the number of tasters has started to grow back to this level. Many academies and some primary schools in Aberdeen City and Shire hold teacher-led sessions at lunchtimes, to back up the taster sessions. Occasionally after-school clubs run by a qualified coach from ADTTA have been run (see ADTTA Development Pathway).

Successful tasters were run over several weeks at Ferryhill (@Walker Road) Primary in November 2025 when 4 ADTTA coaches gave all P4 to P7 classes 40 minute sessions (Image 4). A similar series of sessions was held at Cornhill PS (Image 5). As you can see, the emphasis initially is with a classic backhand push, as the easiest stroke to learn! At first, ordinary school tables (Walker Rd) or even narrow dining tables (Cornhill) were used with “stretchy nets”. However, ADTTA have been able to loan to both schools proper table tennis tables which have been donated by well-wishers or refurbished by ADTTA under their equipment programme (see ADTTA Equipment Programme).

This programme of tasters in Primary Schools is limited mainly by a lack of assistant coaches willing to commit a little of their time to helping the established coaches. ADTTA are always keen to hear from anyone happy to put back a little into a lifetime sport, which everyone enjoys.

If you want to find out more about coaching qualifications, go to  Coaching Qualifications – ADTTA page. To learn more about opportunities to help with coaching sessions in schools or clubs or community centres, please email development.city@adtta.co.uk and we will answer any questions you may have.