Guthlaxton College Table Tennis team has now been in existence for one and a half years with nine different representatives over that period of time. In all four of the half-seasons we have played the school team has participated in the top division of the Leicestershire Junior League with relative success. Indeed, three of the players, Alex O’Connell, Jamie Mullineaux and Connor Wilde, have progressed to adult level in the Leicestershire Main League.

The team has won awards during its existence – firstly they were invited to County Hall last year for the ‘Leicestershire Racket Sports’ celebration where they received the Fair Play award for Division 1. Recently Alex O’Connell and Jamie Mullineaux have been put forward for the ‘Multi-Sport U-21’s Participation’ award for Leicestershire for their efforts in running the school team, captaining their adult team and helping out with other open-age events.

This year the team has had some considerable success as they began to work their way through the rounds in the National School Championships in an attempt to reach the finals. They breezed through the opening Local Schools round to reach the County finals at Great Glen. After ending up in the toughest group they fought through as runners-up to Leicester Grammar. They beat local rivals South Wigston in the semis before finishing as runners-up to Leicester Grammar again in the final. This meant a trip to Grantham on Sunday, 26th January. They just missed out on the semi-finals of this round finishing 5th. However, Alex, Jamie, Connor and Tom played well but were unfortunate to face two England players in the group stages – including Sam Walker, the England U16 Number 1.

These four are now preparing to enter a singles event and will continue to represent Guthlaxton College in the Leicestershire Junior League.

Coaching sessions are every Monday after school in the gym from 3.25 until 4.30 (except during exam periods due to the unavailability of the gym).

James Mullineaux

Published on Wednesday 3rd March 2010 at 09:00