BRITISH ARMY TABLE TENNIS
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Army Table Tennis Team (Washington DC) 2024
2024 Army TT Team (Washington DC)
Overseas Tour Report
The completion of Ex EAST COAST SPINNER 24 dating 26 – 2 Dec 24 was under the supervision of Cpl Andy Benjamin (IC) and LCpl Toby Usher (2IC). UK Airports – Heathrow – Washington Dulles was the flight path taken by Padre Nicola Frail, Lt Ben Avery, Sgt Dawn Buxton-Berry, Cpl Andy Benjamin, Cpl Hannah Bacon, LCpl Toby Usher, LCpl Dominic Weston and Sig Natalie Parsonage as they attended Washington DC between 26th Nov – 2nd Dec 2024 to compete in and represent the British Army at Table Tennis at the 2024 Joola North American Teams Championships.
Our photos show
their time in Washington DC
Photos by - Army TT Team + Pro Jose R
Photos by - Pro Jose R
2024 Army TT Team (Washington DC)
Overseas Tour Report
This Championships is a huge Event with nearly 2000 competitors from both the USA and from further afield, internationally represented a fantastic opportunity to come together and compete against a wide variety of athletes with a diverse range of standards and backgrounds. The trip started in that most wonderful of locations, Heathrow Terminal 5. All 8 players drawn from across the UK who had travelled from as far up as Scotland travelled on their BA flight (which actually departed on time) across the North Atlantic to Washington before travelling on to their accommodation located a short distance from the Competition venue.
Our photos show
their time in Washington DC
2024 Army TT Team (Washington DC)
Overseas Tour Report
The following day served as an opportunity to rest and adjust to the change in time zones but also presented an unmissable opportunity to explore around a fascinating capital city.
The Team used every available second to visit and view as much of the city as possible and a few highlights included Capital Hill, The White House, Washington Memorial and a number of the museums located up and down the Mall.
The Tournament itself took place over 4 days with a particularly intensive match schedule pushing both Men’s and Women’s team players physically to maintain a sustained level of performance.
Our photos show
their time in Washington DC
Photos by - Army TT Team
2024 Army TT Team (Washington DC)
Overseas Tour Report
The Women's Team competed giving their absolute best with Nicola winning several matches and the others winning a few games, which is a great feat with the overall standard out there being so high. Something that the Men's Team could relate to as well. The Saturday in particular had the Men’s Team start playing a little after 0700 in the morning and continue playing till nearly 2300 with around 15 individual matches played by each player before being required back in the hall for 0800 the following morning. Although challenging this was a fantastic and indeed rare opportunity to play significantly over a sustained duration in a competition environment which itself is an excellent opportunity to improve one’s own game.
The highlights of the group’s achievements included the Men’s Team taking Bronze Medals in their Division (Seven) after a series of hard-won matches.
As those fresh memories of match play and adventure start to set in Ex EAST COAST SPINNER 24 was an outstanding success and the challenging and unforgiving schedule coupled with the opportunity to explore, experience and absorb Washington DC with its unmistakable landmarks and culture bonded the players together and allowed a real sense of team cohesion to grow. Lessons, networking and experiences learned here will form the bedrock for future Competitions and will propel the Army Table Tennis Association (ATTA) towards new and exciting Events both at home and abroad. The Journey is just beginning!
Report and details written by
Cpl Andy Benjamin, ATTA Coach & Player