Table Tennis in Wales: History, Players and Where to Play

Wales has a longer and more influential history in table tennis than many people realise. A Welsh national association was among the founders of the sport’s world governing body, a Welshman led that body for two decades, and Welsh players continue to win medals at the Commonwealth Games. This article looks at the sport in Wales, from its early organisation to the players and clubs of today.

TTW is an independent editorial site and is not connected with Table Tennis Wales, the national governing body. For official information on Welsh competitions, clubs and teams, visit Table Tennis Wales.

A National Association Since 1921

The Table Tennis Association of Wales was founded in 1921, making it one of the oldest national table tennis associations in the world. Known in Welsh as Cymdeithas Tenis Bwrdd Cymru, it now trades as Table Tennis Wales.

When the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was formed in 1926, Wales was one of its founding members, alongside nations such as England, Germany and Hungary. Wales was later also a founding member of the European Table Tennis Union. That status as an independent member nation, separate from the other home nations, is why Wales competes in its own right at international and Commonwealth events.

Today the association is a not-for-profit body based in Cardiff. It is responsible for the grassroots development of the sport and for preparing elite players for international competition. It organises national events such as the Welsh Open and the national championships, and supports the leagues and clubs that make up the core of the sport.

Roy and Nancy Evans

Two figures stand out in the history of Welsh table tennis.

Roy Evans, born in Cardiff in 1909, served as honorary general secretary of the Welsh association in the 1930s before moving into international administration. He became General Secretary of the ITTF in 1951 and was its President from 1967 to 1987. During his presidency, table tennis went through some of the most important moments in its history. He was involved in the “ping-pong diplomacy” of 1971, when China invited table tennis teams from Western countries to visit after the World Championships in Japan, and he campaigned for the sport’s inclusion in the Olympic Games. Table tennis made its Olympic debut at Seoul in 1988, the year after his presidency ended.

Nancy Evans, his wife, became general secretary of the Welsh association in 1945 and held the post until 1989. Over more than four decades, she ran the organisation through its growth from a small association into a national sport with leagues across the country.

Welsh Players on the International Stage

Wales has produced players who compete at the highest level of the Commonwealth and European game.

Charlotte Carey first represented Wales at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010, aged 14, and has since won the Welsh national women’s title several times.

Anna Hursey made headlines at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, where she competed for Wales at the age of 11, one of the youngest athletes in the history of the Games.

Together, Carey and Hursey won a bronze medal in the women’s doubles at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, one of the most notable results for Welsh table tennis in recent years. Their partnership, spanning two Commonwealth Games, shows the depth of the Welsh women’s programme.

Leagues and Clubs

Most table tennis in Wales, as elsewhere in the UK, is played in local leagues. Leagues run across the country, from Cardiff and the South Wales valleys to North Wales, with divisions for players of every standard. Clubs range from small community clubs meeting in church halls to larger centres with several tables and regular coaching.

For players looking to get started:

• Find a club or league through Table Tennis Wales, which lists affiliated clubs.
• Try a casual session at a leisure centre or community venue. Many run pay-and-play sessions.
• Read the club guide. Our guide to finding and joining a table tennis club explains what to expect at a first club night, from equipment to etiquette.

Veterans and Para Table Tennis

Table tennis is a sport for life, and Wales has an active veterans scene, with players competing well into their seventies and beyond. The sport’s low impact and high skill content make it ideal for players of all ages.

Para table tennis is also part of the Welsh game, with players competing in national and international events. Our guide to para table tennis explains how the sport is organised.

Looking Ahead

Welsh table tennis combines a long history with a modern focus on grassroots participation and elite development. The country’s place among the founders of the world game, the influence of Roy and Nancy Evans and the recent success of players like Charlotte Carey and Anna Hursey all point to a sport with a strong identity in Wales.

For the rules of the game, see our complete rules guide; for improving your game, the training guide; and for understanding competitive results, table tennis rankings explained.