FORMER English champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Alex Perry has given a master class in Dorset.

Portchester School’s new sports hall provided the perfect venue for a two-day training event led by Perry, who is coach to the national youth team.

The event was sponsored by the Poole and District Table Tennis League and the Portchester-Townsend Community Table Tennis Club.

Perry was supported by Paul Whiting, the South West regional coach, and a team of local coaches and helpers.

George Downing, who is ranked in the top-10 juniors in the country and recently gained his first national representative honours, was a special guest.

Downing and Perry left the 33 young players spellbound with a demonstration coaching session and they were inspired to raise their game.

The event culminated in a tournament which was handicapped to give all the players an equal chance of success.

In the final of the main competition, Jacob Elliott beat Alex Rogers, while the consolation event was won by Henry Jeffs who beat Isaac Tallack.

Several special awards were made with Lucy Craddock named player of the course. Sheik Kargbo-Laure and Katie Holt were runners-up.

The points competition for application and involvement was won by Matthew Mills and the what makes a good player award was won by four players who showed the qualities required to become good players – Artur Caltabiano (determination), Ben Kinch (self-belief), Katie Holt (respect) and Sam Millar (teamwork).

For more information about table tennis opportunities in the area, contact James Lewis on jlewis@etta.co.uk Lewis is a community coach working for the English Table Tennis Association and supports and helps co-ordinate the many available opportunities.