St Mary's College Table Tennis Stars Reach National Finals
St Mary's College in Crosby has reinforced its reputation as one of the country's leading hotbeds of table tennis talent after students reached the finals of a prestigious national competition. Two teams of talented players and three individuals from the school are set to take part in the National Butterfly Schools Championship in Wolverhampton at the end of April, one of the biggest events in the table tennis calendar.
Regional Success Leads to National Stage
Pupils beat off the challenge of schools across the North West at the recent regional final in Widnes to reach the last stage of the competition organised by Table Tennis England and sponsored by table manufacturer Butterfly. This achievement highlights the school's growing prowess in the sport, building on previous successes and community support.
Remarkable Achievements by Young Players
Students through to the final include the girls under 19 team of Nyasha Roberts (Year 7) and Isabella Hamer (Lower Sixth) who, at the ages of just 12 and 16, were up against opponents much older than them. Remarkably, Nyasha and Isabella, along with Priscilla Dix (Year 5 Preparatory), had also secured places in the national final of the individual competition the previous weekend. This marks the first time ever that St Mary's pupils have reached both individual and team finals in the same year, showcasing exceptional skill and dedication.
Talented Finalists: Isabella Hamer, 16, and Nyasha Roberts, 12, with coach Dave Graham have been instrumental in this success, receiving excellent coaching and parental support.
Boys Team Also Shines
Meanwhile, the school's boys under 13 team are also heading to Wolverhampton thanks to excellent performances against Altrincham Grammar, Manchester Grammar and Blue Coat School among others. The team included Kaya Eryavuz (Year 8), twins Archie and William Green (Year 7), Thomas Locke (Year 7) and Deniz Berker (Year 6 Preparatory). Their collective effort demonstrates the depth of talent across different age groups at St Mary's.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead
The only disappointment for St Mary's in the competition was that the regional finals clashed with a Preparatory School ski trip, preventing some key members of the under 11 teams from taking part. As a result, some younger players stepped into the breach. Although they failed to reach the finals, their determined and resilient performances indicated that the future of table tennis at St Mary's is in safe hands, with promising athletes ready to carry the torch forward.
School's Delight and Future Prospects
The school's table tennis co-ordinator, Helen Savage, was delighted with the results. She said: "We have never had so many pupils in the national finals, spread throughout the year groups, so we're really thrilled. What they have achieved is a testament to their commitment to the sport, the fabulous support they have achieved from parents and the excellent coaching of Dave Graham who is also the Lancashire Coach. The future of table tennis at St. Mary's is certainly bright, and we will be looking to build on this success in the years ahead."
This success not only boosts the school's profile but also inspires other students in Crosby and beyond to pursue table tennis, contributing to the local sports community and fostering a culture of excellence and teamwork.
