Bats to gloves

GUERNSEY'S junior table tennis stars have been putting down their bats and taking up boxercise and spinning in a bid to get fitter.

A special 24-week fitness programme has been constructed by Kevin and Charlene Carter of Kingspin to improve both body and mindset.

The programme, which is sponsored by Insurance Corporation of the Channel Islands Ltd, includes cardio vascular and muscle building along with particular emphasis on the body movements associated with table tennis.

In addition to traditional gym and circuit exercises, they use a variety of other training features including boxercise and spinning classes.

'Our kids lacked stamina when they were away at tournaments. But since we've been doing these sessions for the last eight to nine weeks, I've seen a difference in their fitness and some of the younger ones have been gaining results in the league,' said Guernsey's development coach Becks O'Keefe.

However, the juniors are not the only ones that the Guernsey Table Tennis Association are concentrating on. On Saturday, from 10am to noon, the GTTA are opening their doors to the Hougue du Pommier Table Tennis Centre for anyone over 50 who wishes to try the sport.