Watfordttblog

Table Tennis is a dying sport? Think again !!

This week Wednesday 14th October 2009 saw the first day of the Watford Table Tennis Academy, a joint venture between Watford Boys Grammar School and Urban Progress TTPro Table Tennis Club.

The first session was an after school session from 3:30pm to 4:30pm for the students at the school only and there could not have been a more responsive start to the Academy. No less that 60 students turned up for the opening session with all 12 tables in full use.

An amazed Urfi (Gergely Urban - Urban Progress TTPro Director) speaking to the head master Martin Post, said - what an amazing turnout, and this was without heavy promotion internally within the school or to the parents. Think what can happen if we start to advertise what is going on down here?

WWCC have now moved their venue to the new Urban Progress TTPro - Watford Boys Grammar School WBGS) Academy you can find directions to the Watford Table Tennis Academy here. The league has been advised that within the next month the two WWCC Teams will revise their names and they will become known as Urban Progress WBGS 'A' and Urban Progrss WBGS 'B'. Look out for further updates as the transition to the new Academy completes over the coming weeks.

With two teams representing Urban Progress WBGS in the Premier and First division of the Watford & District Table Tennis League most players in Watford will get a chance to experience the venue at some point during the current season. You can be assured you will be given a warm reception.

The first league game took place at the new venue for the WWCC 'B' team and everything went according to plan. Please note there is a time restriction on exiting the premises of 10:30pm, so please ensure when playing at the Academy that your team arrives promptly.

It's nearly there !!

First look at the New Watford Boys Grammar School - Urban Progress TTPro Table Tennis Academy... Wednesday 7th October.. tables arrived, unpacked, final details thrashed out on timings and sessions... and West Watford Conservative Club (WWCC) check out the new venue.... even a surprise visit from a Blog Fan who takes the Met. train up to the venue from HARROW to check it out (Adam... plays with Steve Levin in the Wembley League)

I'm sure you'll agree it looks pretty fantastic... what a boost for Table Tennis in Watford and the local area!!

Sessions offiicially start on Wednesday October 14th timings as previously reported. Unofficially if you'd like to check out the venue we have an open evening on Friday 9th... why not come on down and see the venue for yourself and get more information... click here for Map to WBGS - Urban Progress TTPro Table Tennis Academy

IMPORTANT - Change of Venue WWCC

Important announcement West Watford Conservative Club have changed their Venue!

From October 7th 2009 WWCC will now play their matches from the Watford Boys Grammar School - Urban Progress TTPro Table Tennis Academy.

This change affects both WWCC teams, the 1st Division Team WWCC 'B' and the Premier Division team WWCC 'A'.

The match night remains the same WEDNESDAY. To find the venue please use view this post WBGS - Urban Progress TTPro Academy MAP.

I'm sure there will be those amongst you who will not be too disappointed that we have moved from the dimly list West Herts Sports Club.... and we look forward to welcoming you to our new venue during the coming months. Any Questions regarding the new venue please email chris.ogle@ipsx.co.uk or telephone Chris on 01923 234170.

WBGS Urban Progress TTPro Table Tennis Academy Map

The all new shiny Watford Boys Grammar School - Urban Progress TTPro Table Tennis Academy tonight - Wednesday 7th October opens it's doors for the first time.

The Sports Hall will be open for visitors to come down from 7pm tonight, Gergely Urban and Chris Ogle will be on hand to answer your questions, so please everyone is welcome.

Below a map to show which entrance to use at the school, where to park and how to get to the Sports Hall.

From Rickmansworth road heading towards Croxley away from Watford take the turning before the school into Shepherds Road, then take the second left entrance into the school. Drive past the Theatre block (on the right) and continue until you reach the far end of the playground area (indicated by the red circle on the map), park here. Follow the route shown by the Blue line to walk to the Sports Hall.

From Croxley / Rickmansworth, head up Rickmansworth Road towards Watford, take the turning left immediately after the school into Shepherds Road, then take the second left entrance into the school. Drive past the Theatre block (on the right) and continue until you reach the far end of the playground area (indicated by the red circle on the map), park here. Follow the route shown by the Blue line to walk to the Sports Hall.

 

WBGS & Urban Progress TTPro Academy Update

The 7th of October draws ever closer and the details of the Academy have now been ratified, so I am pleased to announce the following timetable of sessions.

Wednesdays

3:30pm - 4:30pm - Closed session for WBGS students only (this will commence on the 14th Oct)

5:00pm - 7:00pm - Junior Session for Urban Progress Junior Members

7:30pm - 10:30pm - Adult & Junior combined session, will also Host matches for teams in the W&DTTL

Fridays

7:30am - 8:30am - Closed session for WBGS students only (this will commence on the 9th Oct)

5:00pm - 7:00pm - Junior Session for Urban Progress Junior Members (every Friday until Autumn half term then every other Friday, blog site will contain all the up to date details)

Saturday mornings

10:00am - 1:30pm - Open Adult & Junior combined session.

A map providing details of how to find the Sports Hall and where to Park when visiting the Table Tennis Academy will be published tomorrow on this Blog and also on the Urban Progress TTPro Blog site

Urban Progress TTPro look forward to welcoming anyone who wishes to improve their game, so please come down and meet the team. Non Members are welcome to come down and experience the Urban Progress TTPro club before joining. Sessions for non members are £5

Gergely Urban - Urban Progress TTPro 

Interview with Gergely Urban (Urban Progress)

Today I managed to catch up with Gergely Urban (often called Urfi) and ask him about his table tennis background and the plans for the Watford Table Tennis Acadamy in WBGS (Watford Boys Grammar School)

http://www.urbanprogressttpro.com
http://www.ttpro.co.uk

Watford TT Academy - WBGS Update

Great News for Students at Watford Grammar School, Urban Progress TTPro, Table Tennis in Watford and Watford Sport is the confirmation of the Opening date for the Watford Grammar School Table Tennis Academy.

The Table Tennis Academy will open its doors on Wednesday 7th October for the first time with an exciting programme for the 1st day!

• 3:30pm - 4:30pm Table Tennis & Coaching for the students of WBGS
• 5:00pm - 7:00pm Junior session for Urban Progress Members from the community
• 7:30pm - 10:30pm Senior Table Tennis session for Urban Progress TTPro members
• The opening evening will also include a Watford Premier League Table Tennis match with WWCC moving their home venue to WBGS

Non members can attend the open adult evening session for a £5 flat fee

Urban Progress TTPro will operate at the school the Wednesday sessions as described above, and on Fridays a breakfast session (for students) as well as the Junior and Adult evening sessions.

It is envisaged that a Sunday morning training from 10:00am through to 1pm will be announced shortly which will commence during October in addition to the activity during the school week.

I'm sure you will all agree that this is an exciting development for all in Table Tennis in the Watford area and we look forward to welcoming some new young Table tennis players into the sport and perhaps even joining the competitive Watford & District Table Tennis league.

Watford Boys Grammar Table Tennis Academy update

Everyone is now back to school and settling in... so now the Watford Table Tennis Academy being hosted by Watford Boys Grammar School is again moving forward. Thursday 24th September there is a meeting with the Sports / Games / PE members of staff and Urban Progress TTPro to finalise the start date and agree the sessions.

Hopefully more details on this will become clear Thursday... look out for further developments and announcements in the coming week. 

Watford to get new Table Tennis Academy!!

Look out Watford a new Table Tennis Academy is just around the corner. The article below has recently been featured in the FULLER NEWS which is the bi-annual news letter that goes out to Pupils, old boys, friends and associates of the Watford Boys Grammar School.

In summary the Watford Boys Grammar School have teamed up with Urban Progress TTPro to host and run a professional table tennis academy here in our own town! It is anticipated that within a relatively short period the fruits of the Academy will be new teams joining the local league!!

Will Maybanks was there to promote the new academy he himself being a product of both Watford Boys Grammar School and the Urban Progress Table Tennis Club. 

For further details please click on the image below :-

Watford Boys Grammar School to host new Table Tennis Academy!!!

Watford is to have a new centre of excellence for Table Tennis. Watford Boys Grammar school have teamed up with Urban Progress TTPro to develop Table Tennis at the school. The Table Tennis Academy will be up and running from September 2009 and will be open not only to students from the school but in addition local primary schools and the community too!

Martin Post (the headmaster) continues the school's excellent record in providing a varied choice of activities for the Students whilst developing closer relationships with primary schools and enhancing links with the local community.

"The combination of a first class school and a complete table tennis pathway from beginner to International standard is a winning combination" says Chris Ogle representing Urban Progress TTPro, "Watford Boys Grammar school are dedicated to excellence and have a passion for sport and we can expect something really special to emerge from this partnership".

 

William Maybanks who is back in England briefly and an ex-Watford Boys Grammar school pupil himself, took some time out from his busy training schedule for the 2012 Olympics to visit the school today (20th May). William and Tibor Kadar (Urban Progress lead coach) provided an exhibition for the younger students who had a rare opportunity to see international quality table tennis right in their own assembly hall!

This is great news for Table Tennis in Watford, only the other day at the Watford & District Table Tennis league AGM it was agreed that the future is to work hand-in-hand with schools. This not only introduces the sport early to children but also makes good use of the excellent facilities that schools have available today. Here is one fantastic example of a forward looking school working together with a professional Table Tennis club to create our players of the future.

To read further details and see more pictures please visit :www.willmeon.com

Pictures by Eddie Dillon of Promedia Limited www.promedia.ltd.uk