In an exciting development for the student sporting community, Scottish Student Sport (SSS) is thrilled to announce the successful purchase of seven brand-new table tennis tables through its Special Projects Fund. This initiative is a significant step forward for the organisation and demonstrates a commitment to enhancing the student table tennis experience in Scotland.

Special Projects Funding: A Brief Overview

The Special Projects Fund is a cornerstone of SSS’s mission to support student athletes and foster sustainable sporting initiatives. This fund allocates resources to projects that have a lasting impact on the student sporting community and align with SSS’s core values. Projects eligible for funding can receive up to £5000, enabling them to create a meaningful and sustainable difference.

Seven New Tables: A Game-Changer

The acquisition of seven new table tennis tables marks a milestone for student table tennis in Scotland. These tables boast a consistent design and a key accessibility feature—making them wheelchair-friendly. This inclusivity aspect is a testament to SSS’s commitment to ensuring that sports are accessible to all, regardless of physical abilities.

SSS’s strategic partnership with Table Tennis Scotland played a pivotal role in securing these tables. This collaboration not only facilitated a smoother acquisition process but also resulted in additional discounts, ensuring that the funds were stretched even further to benefit the student sporting community.

These new table tennis tables will find their home at Heriot-Watt University’s Oriam facility. Oriam is rapidly evolving into a hub for racket sports, including table tennis. The addition of these tables will further establish Oriam as a premier destination for athletes across Scotland.

Pictured; Cameron Hussain (TT Scotland), Jess Baillie (SSS), Max Tuma (HWU TT Club)

In October of this year and in the years to come, students from across Scotland will have the opportunity to use these tables to participate in Centralised BUCS League Fixtures. These tables will provide a dedicated and high-quality venue for competitive matches, elevating the student sporting experience in the region.

SSS has ambitious plans to collaborate with Oriam to make it the home of the Scottish Student Table Tennis Championships, hosted annually in February. This move promises to bring Heriot-Watt University into the spotlight during the prestigious Scottish Student Games weekend.

Alisa Khalid, Scottish Student Table Tennis Chair, highlighted the significance of these new tables, stating, “These additional table tennis tables are more than just equipment – they represent the growth and development of student table tennis in Scotland. Their purchase will help provide a dedicated venue for our Centralised BUCS League matches and, we hope, the Scottish Student Table Tennis Championships. They will help Heriot-Watt University’s Table Tennis Club develop too by creating an inviting environment for competitive play – inspiring new students to join the sport for both its social and competitive aspects.”

Richard Yule, CEO of Table Tennis Scotland, expressed his excitement about the development, saying, “We’re absolutely delighted to see seven brand new Table Tennis tables delivered in collaboration between Scottish Student Sport and Table Tennis Scotland. It’s an exciting time for student Table Tennis, and these new tables will provide yet another venue for competitive fixtures and a space to further grow the student community.”

The impact of these tables will be felt for years to come, fostering growth and development in student table tennis while providing a dedicated space for both competitive fixtures and training. As SSS continues to invest in special projects that align with its values, the future of student sports in Scotland looks brighter than ever.

If you’re interested in submitting an application for a Special Project please contact the SSS Business Manager, Julia Stenhouse, at julia@scottishstudentsport.com.