Hackney table tennis players crowned champions at Jack Petchey Youth Club Festival

The event attracted a total of 52 players from youth organisations across London boroughs with a number of age categories including under-12s, 14s, 16s and 19s for girls and boys at Morpeth Table Tennis Club.

The competition offered young people a fun, friendly and informal competition particularly for those who have not had a chance to play in matches.

Victoria Boakye, 12, from Wickers Charity, which supports 10 to 18-year olds in Hackney, won the under-14 mixed event.

Boakye, who attends Hackney’s Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy, came through a round robin competition of four groups to win the final in her first competition.

“I like table tennis because it makes you feel good when you play,” she said.

“I like winning and it’s good to watch on TV too.”

Tyeisha Coley, 11, from Stoke Newington Youth Club, won the girls under-12 event, after another round-robin, before beating Phoebe Boakye, Victoria’s sister, 11-3 11-7.

Coley also won the under-12 mixed event beating all the boys in the round-obin competition, including her brother.

In the final she beat Stanley Mehmet, 11, from Southwark’s Westminster House Youth Club 11-8 11-8 and said: “I liked this competition and beating the boys. I like winning but need to improve so I can keep beating my brother.”

The Jack Petchey Table Tennis programme includes competition opportunities at schools via team and individual championships, with progression to grand finals.

Over 5,884 students have played in competitions during the last year and over 40,000 school children have been directly impacted by the scheme.

Sir Jack Petchey CBE, 93, is passionate about giving young people freedom and opportunity and said: “As a young man I loved playing table tennis. It kept me fit and active and developed my self-discipline and confidence.

“It’s great to know so many play every week as this programme is so close to my heart.”