Hello Member,
Welcome to this first edition newsletter curated by the EDI Committee to create awareness on inspiring people involved in the sport, programmes and initiatives that are helping to make table tennis a sport where everyone feels welcome, valued and able to participate. Through each edition, we will share stories, highlights and examples of EDI in action from across the country.
We want this newsletter to be a platform for our members and an opportunity to showcase the fantastic work taking place throughout the table tennis community. If your club, province or organisation is running an EDI-focused event, programme or initiative, we would love to hear from you.
By sharing ideas, experiences and success stories, we can learn from one another, raise awareness of opportunities across the country, and continue building a table tennis community where everyone feels they belong. Together, we can champion equality, celebrate diversity, and promote inclusion at every level of our sport.
Table Tennis Ireland EDI Committee & Action Plan
The EDI committee was formed in September 2025 and has developed a three-year Action Plan to support greater equality, diversity, and inclusion across Table Tennis Ireland.
Several planned actions under these focus areas have already been completed, including the publication of the EDI Policy, EDI Policy the introduction of additional policies supporting LGBTQ+ and transgender inclusion. The introduction of Female Para player awards and EDI initiative awards at the TTI annual awards. Advocate to introduce a new category recognising Improvements to member data collection, and the establishment of monitoring and reporting. The EDI working group remains committed to helping create a sport where everyone feels welcome, respected, valued and able to participate to their full potential.
Celebrating Excellence at the Table Tennis Ireland Awards 2026
On June 6th, Table Tennis Ireland held its Annual Awards Ceremony on the Sport Ireland Campus, bringing together members from across the country to celebrate the achievements and contributions of those helping our sport grow. This year saw the introduction of additional categories recognising women in the sport and disability participation, reflecting the progress being made in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across Irish table tennis. In this first edition newsletter, we would like to highlight some of the award recipients whose work is making a real difference in creating a more inclusive sport for all. there is a list of inspiring award winners, we will continue highlighting them in our upcoming newsletters as we go. Here are some inspiring stories:
Aaron Mellows – Male Para Player of the Year
Aaron enjoyed a groundbreaking season, becoming the first ever Class 11 para player to compete in ITTF ranking competitions and winning the National Para Championship title. His achievements demonstrate what can be accomplished through hard work, determination and belief.
Carol Furlong – Ambassador of EDI Principles Award
Carol was recognised for establishing the Bat and Chat programme through Newbawn Raheen TTC, creating opportunities for people with neurological conditions to stay active, connected and involved in sport. Her work shows the powerful impact table tennis can have within communities.
Member Spotlight: Kevin O’Callaghan
This first edition, we are delighted to shine a spotlight on Kevin O’Callaghan, whose determination, resilience and positive outlook are an inspiration to all. Kevin’s story is a powerful reminder that a disability does not define a person. Through his commitment to sport and active participation in his community, he continues to challenge barriers, embrace opportunities and demonstrate what can be achieved with perseverance and self-belief. Kevin’s journey highlights the importance of focusing on ability rather than limitation and championing the individual behind the disability. Read his full story in this article by IWA and learn more about the experiences, challenges and achievements that have shaped his inspiring journey.
Read the full article here: https://www.iwa.ie/spokeout/august-2026/rallying-to-la-kevin-ocallaghan-and-his-quest-to-compete-at-the-paralympic-games/
Women in Sport
TTI Women in Sport is delighted to announce the launch of our new Club Development Pathway Programme (CDPP).
This exciting initiative has been developed to support clubs in creating more opportunities for women and girls to participate, compete, and thrive within table tennis communities across Ireland. The Club Development Pathway Programme aims to:
- Increase female participation and membership in clubs.
- Grow the number of female teams and individual players competing in leagues and tournaments.
- Increase the number of female role models, including players, coaches, officials, and volunteers.
- Enhance female visibility at grassroots level and inspire the next generation of participants.
- Strengthen social connections and build vibrant, inclusive club communities.
The development of this initiative began in March this year. Following extensive consultation and communication with clubs, we are proud to announce the five clubs selected to take part in the pilot programme:
- TT Stars Waterford
- Milltown Table Tennis Club
- Billis Table Tennis Club
- Balbriggan Table Tennis Club
- Tibor Table Tennis Club
This is a three-year project, subject to ongoing funding, with the ambition of expanding the programme to additional clubs in the future. We would like to congratulate the participating clubs and thank them for their commitment to growing opportunities for women and girls in table tennis.
Clubs interested in learning more about the programme or expressing their interest in future participation are encouraged to contact Jing Yi at [email protected]. Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more inclusive future for women and girls in table tennis.
Get Involved
The success of EDI in Table Tennis Ireland depends on all of us. We encourage members, clubs and volunteers to get involved by sharing ideas, experiences and examples of good practice that can help make our sport more inclusive.
Member Survey Have your say by completing our EDI survey and helping us better understand the needs and experiences of our table tennis community. Your feedback will help shape future initiatives and priorities. Table tennis Ireland EDI Policy Feedback Survey – Fill in form, EDI Policy.
Share Your Story Do you know someone making a difference through inclusion in table tennis? We are always looking for feature stories that showcase the positive impact of EDI across our clubs and communities.
Club Events and Initiatives If your club is organising an EDI-related event, programme or activity, let us know. We would love to feature your work in future editions of this newsletter and help promote the great initiatives taking place across the country.
Join Us We are always looking for members who are passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion to get involved in our work. If you would like to contribute ideas, support initiatives, or join the EDI Working Group, we would be delighted to hear from you. Together, we can continue building a more welcoming and inclusive table tennis community for everyone. Email [email protected] if you are interested in being involved.
How to contact us:
Website:https://tabletennisireland.ie/contact/
Email:[email protected]
Socials:https://www.instagram.com/tabletennisireland/,