Worthing Table Tennis Club celebrated an outstanding achievement as its young players claimed both gold and silver medals in the inaugural Girls’ Cadet British Clubs League pilot competition.
The new competition, introduced by Table Tennis England, was created to provide more opportunities for girls to compete in a dedicated team environment and encourage greater female participation in the sport. The pilot proved an immediate success and is expected to become a permanent fixture in the national competition calendar.
Worthing entered two teams into Division Two, with both squads producing excellent performances across the three rounds of competition.
The Worthing A team, consisting of talented twins Evie and Ava Muggeridge, held their nerve to secure the Division Two title by the narrowest of margins, finishing just one point ahead of their clubmates.
Finishing in a superb second place was the Worthing B team of Mia Gokool and Lottie Griffiths, completing a remarkable one-two finish for the Sussex club.
The close battle between the two Worthing teams went right down to the final matches, with only a single point separating the gold and silver medal winners after months of competition.
Worthing Head Coach Matt Porter praised all four players for their commitment throughout the season.
“This is a fantastic achievement for all four girls. To finish first and second in a national competition is something the whole club can be incredibly proud of. Evie, Ava, Mia and Lottie have worked exceptionally hard in training, supported each other throughout the season and represented Worthing with great determination and sportsmanship.
“The introduction of the Girls’ Cadet British Clubs League is a huge step forward for girls’ table tennis. Competitions like this give young female players more opportunities to compete, develop their confidence and enjoy being part of a team. We’re delighted that Worthing has been able to play such a positive role in the pilot while also achieving such an outstanding result.”
The success continues Worthing Table Tennis Club’s growing reputation as one of the country’s leading junior development clubs, providing opportunities for young players of all abilities to progress through local, regional and national competitions.
With the pilot competition already being hailed as a success, Table Tennis England is set to expand the Girls’ Cadet British Clubs League for next season, creating even more opportunities for young female players across the country.
