The Liverpool Table Tennis League, one of the last of its kind in the country, is helping people with life-limiting conditions such as Parkinson's disease and those experiencing loneliness. Founded 100 years ago in 1926 by Leslie Forrest with six local teams, it is the last remaining table tennis league in Merseyside and one of the oldest in the nation.
From whiff-whaff to a thriving league
Originating from late 1800s games whiff-whaff and ping-pong, the league survived World War II and has grown to 50 teams across five divisions. Secretary and coach Tom Purcell, 76, has overseen the league for the last decade.
Health benefits for Parkinson's sufferers
Purcell emphasised the league's social table tennis sessions, which benefit people with Parkinson's disease. "Table tennis is very, very beneficial for people with Parkinson's. There are massive table tennis benefits for that, because it exercises their brains when they're trying to hit the ball and it gets them moving," he said. "It helps them because they have trouble moving, they have trouble with their coordination, and table tennis gives them the opportunity to move around a little bit. It's very beneficial mentally as well, because it improves their mental health when they know they're doing things that they wouldn't do normally."
Fighting loneliness through social play
The league also attracts people feeling isolated. Purcell said: "We have social table tennis, you might have people who live on their own and don't get around very much, and they can come along and play social table tennis, meet people, and develop that way." Sessions run from 7pm to 9pm at the Anfield Centre, open to all skill levels.
Age-inclusive and future-focused
Purcell noted the league's appeal across generations: "As we say in table tennis, it's a game for all, for life. I started playing when I was 12 when I was at school and I'm 76 now, I've just kept going." The league has junior national champions in under-11s and under-12s, and players who have represented the country abroad. "There's a proper development pathway with our league," Purcell added. Despite reaching its centenary, he stressed the need to keep progressing: "What we're doing in progressing the younger age groups is working, but we have to continue doing it, otherwise we will have problems in the future."
