Over 100 days of Ping will start from Saturday 19 May when visitors and locals alike will be able to play table tennis across the city, all summer!

The highly successful Ping! festival offers over 30 tables in public places across the city, with the invitation to grab a bat and have a great time. All the equipment is provided at no cost.

People playing pingThe festival will kick off in 2018 with Nottingham hosting the national launch of the project in the Old Market Square on Saturday 19 May from 10:30am.

2017 was a record-breaking year for Ping! in Nottingham, exceeding all targets with over 71,000 people in the city picking up a bat and playing table tennis at one of the tables during the summer.

As in previous years, tables will be sited in familiar locations across the city including Nottingham Train Station, Wollaton Park, Trinity Square and Nottingham Playhouse and a range of parks across the city. The project will also visit popular events in Nottingham including engaging players and visitors at the Nature Valley Open tennis and the Accenture World Triathlon Mixed Relay Triathlon coming to the city in June.

Once players are hooked and wanting to play more table tennis, they can locate their nearest table to play at for free at www.pingengland.co.uk/nottingham which lists a host of places to play all summer! From bars/restaurants, leisure and community centres to local leagues and competitions, there is something for all levels of abilities and interests.

The tables will remain long after the Ping! festival is over; installed in parks and estates on a permanent basis or donated to organisations for the benefit of the community.

In order to keep the tables maintained with stocks of balls and bats, the project requires Ping! volunteers. They will also visit the tables to encourage people to play and generate a friendly, competitive spirit. Anybody able to spare a few hours to help should get in touch with the project via www.pingengland.co.uk/nottingham.

Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture said: “We know in Nottingham there is a huge demand for Table Tennis and a desire to play at any given opportunity. It’s a great activity you can take part in across the city this summer and it’s completely free. Put a table down, and within minutes you’ve got people playing. People pick up a bat and have a knock at various places from parks to bars and even shopping centres. You don’t even need a partner – just challenge a passer-by to a game. I’ll certainly be looking for a game or two!”

Keely Armitt, Head of Mass Particpation at Table Tennis England said: “We’re delighted to be launching the 9th annual festival season of Ping! in Nottingham. The city has been a fantastic supporter of the project over the years and a hub of table tennis nationally, and it seems fitting for 2018 that Nottingham is our flagship location and national launch venue. Ping! is all about getting people active and having fun by introducing table tennis tables into everyday public spaces, and we hope that the people of Nottingham enjoy using the tables this summer and beyond.”

The project is keen for players to join the social media conversation and upload their Ping! photos and stories on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PingNottingham or Twitter @PingNottingham

For more information please contact Donna Marshall, Communications & Marketing Lead donna.marshall@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or 0115 8764443

Notes to Editors

About Ping!
Ping! is funded by the national lottery through Sport England with the aim to get more people physically active. It is managed by Table Tennis England, the sport’s National Governing Body and is delivered through a range of partnerships with City Councils, Local Authorities, County Sport Partnerships, Volunteers, Arts Organisations and Sing London.

For further information, please contact Julie Snowdon, Ping! Marketing and Media Officer, on 01908 208879 or julie.snowdon@tabletennisengland.co.uk