Ten years from now you might not remember why you first walked into Carterton Leisure Centre on a Tuesday night. Here’s why we think you should, before that decision makes itself.
1. You don’t need to bring anything
No bat, no membership, no booking. Turn up between 7 and 9pm and we’ll hand you a bat.
2. It’s a genuine workout, not a gym substitute pretending to be one
A rally at pace uses your legs, core and reactions more than it looks like from the sidelines. It’s also low-impact, which is why players well into their sixties and seventies are still turning out on league night.
3. There’s a real pathway if you want to compete
We field three teams in the Oxfordshire league — Division 1 through 3 — captained by Guy Plowman, Katherine McIntyre and Justin Roake. Open sessions are how most of that squad started.
4. Or there isn’t, if you don’t
Plenty of our regulars just want a hit and a chat. Nobody will push you toward league play if that’s not what you’re after.
5. £5 a session if you’re a member, £7 if you’re not
Membership is £30 a year, which pays for itself after a handful of Tuesdays if you’re coming regularly.
6. It rewards thinking, not just hitting hard
Spin, placement and reading your opponent matter more than raw power. It’s a sport you can keep getting better at tactically long after your reflexes peak.
7. You’ll play people you’d never otherwise meet
Our club runs across age groups and backgrounds — the shared thing is showing up on a Tuesday.
8. The club has been running since 2019
Long enough to have a settled Tuesday routine, but still small enough that a new face gets noticed and welcomed, not lost in a crowd.
9. We’re affiliated to Table Tennis England
That means the league structure, rankings and coaching all sit within a proper national framework, not something improvised locally.
10. Getting your own bat is easier than you’d think
Once you know you’re hooked, our website sponsor Loki Sport UK’s guide to setting up your first bat is a solid starting point — no need to guess at rubber types on your own.
Come along this Tuesday, 7–9pm, Carterton Leisure Centre. Ask for Justin.