Jersey table tennis have had a brilliant year, with so many excellent performances throughout the past twelve months!
Following their CISPOTY Team of The Year nomination Dan Andrade caught up with one of their stars, Jordan Wykes, about his experiences playing on and off island, how much the nomination means for the club and what exciting things are coming up for the sport!
The full interview is below!
How long have you been playing table tennis here in Jersey?
I have been playing table tennis for 14 years now! I started when I was 7-8 years old! Started by going now the Geoff Reed table tennis centre with my dad!
What are the coaches like – how much have they helped guide you?
The coaches have been really helpful for me to be able to process and improve my game! The last few years I have lived aboard or in England for professional training and coaching and the coaches in Jersey have still been there for me when I return to the island!
What have been your highlights in your table tennis career to date?
I think highlights of my career have been winning Gold medal in doubles at the Island games 2019! And I gold medal in the team event in the Home Nations championships 2021! Also managed a career high win in the European championships in the Spain beating someone ranked world ranked 295!
How good is it to see the team nominated for CISPOTY Team Of The Year award?
It’s a great feeling for myself and the team to have been nominated for the CISPOTY team of the year! It shows that all our hard work and results are being recognised and hopefully this will help us out table tennis on the map next to the biggest sports on the island!
What have been your highlights over the past year as a club?
I think the results at Home Nations Championship we’re an excellent achievement for the club! It’s the biggest and best colour of medals Jersey has ever had in the history of the competition! Was great to see Jersey beating biggest nations such as England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales!
What’s there to look forward to for you and all at Jersey table tennis in the next year?
I think just like every sport the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is the competition I am most looking forward to! I am hoping Jersey table tennis will be able to qualify for the event because of our recent results! Jersey will also hold the Jersey primary school tournament later in the year! As well as the many inter insular events throughout the year!
How much would you encourage people to start playing table tennis?
I would say to anybody, no matter what age or ability you are, to come to one of the beginner sessions! You are able to find the session times of the session that suits you on the Facebook page or Jersey table tennis website! It’s a great sport to start for young kids as well as it will help improve hand eye coordination skills and is just great fun! So come on down to the Geoff Reed Club and have a go!
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