Table Tennis News
Tuesday, 13 March 2012Chris Griffiths will be representing Wales this weekend in the Junior 6 nations in Isle of Man. Even though Chris is still in the Under 15 age group he will be playing in the Under 18 team event with Alex Prosser from Tonypandy. This will be a very tough event for Chris but will give him some more valuable International experience. Chris will hopefully be able to play in the Under 15 singles event on the Sunday. Good Luck Chris.
Just before the half-term holiday 5 Ferndale players travelled to Cardiff to sit the above mentioned coaching course with Welsh National coach Ryan Jenkins. All players worked hard and impressed Ryan with there skills and knowledge of the sport. The players were put on the course by Ferndale 5x60 officer Chris Emsley. All players passed the course and will hopefully use these awards gained to help promote Table Tennis in the local area and in the school for lunch clubs. Players who passed the course were:
Dylan Lewis
Ethan Lewis
Liam Winder
Chris Griffiths
Jamie Davies
Well done to all players on starting your coaching career.
Friday, 25 November 2012
Dylan Lewis has been selected to represent Rhondda in the Centre of Excellence showdown. The event will take place in Swansea against Cardiff, Swansea and Gwent. Dylan will be representing the team along with Jon Bisp (Pontypridd), Callum Evans (Tonyrefail) and Stefan Jeczalik (Tonypandy). Good luck Dylan and well done on the selection.
13 December 2010
Today at Tonypandy two players from Ferndale TT academy competed in the Greenhouse Super Series. The 2 players in action were Chris Griffiths and Liam Winder with Both players preforming well..... Liam was runner-up in the Under 14 event. He won his group which meant that he went straight in to the quarter finals. Liam's best match was in the semi-final against Jac Jenkins. Liam lost the 1st set and it looked as though Jac was going to make it a difficult day for Liam but from the first point in set 2 he got himself focussed and played some great table tennis to put Jac under pressure. Liam dominated the next 3 sets to book himself a place in the final against Ryan Oyler. In the final Liam lost 3-0 but it was a much closer match than that as every set Liam lost 11-9. Sadly Liam just didnt have the consistancy to break down the Oyler defence.
Chris, like Liam, was a runner-up in his event (Under 19's). Chris still only 13 played his best table tennis to date finishimg 2nd in his group, losing out to Charlotte Carey and beating Tonyrefail's Nicole Hall. In the quarter finals Chris had a fantastic victory over senior capped and Commonwealth games player Angharad Phillips. It was a great 5 set match that could of gone either way but it was Chris's day and he won the game. The semi-final match for Chris was a very difficult encounter against Tonypandy and Wales under 15 ranked number 2 Connor Edwards. Just about everytime these two players meet it is a 5th end match that Connor always seems to win. Today it was different with Chris winning it 11-8 in the 5th set. This win set up a final against Charlotte Carey. In the final Charlotte, also a welsh Commonwealth player, played very well and had the tactics and skills to mix up the game so Chris could not get into his usual game but even though it was difficult for Chris some of the rallies were of the highest standard.
Overall it was a fantastic day for the Ferndale pair and they can be very happy with their efforts!!
7 November 2010
100% for Griffiths....
Chris Griffiths representing Glamorgan at the County Championships won 6 out of 6 yesterday to help the team remain undefeated. The Glamorgan sides toughest challenge was against local rivals Gwent who they beat 6-4. The team also beat Wiltshire and Somerset comfortably. The team also consisted of Ryan Oyler, Alex Prosser, Carys Webster and Nicole Hall.
Newport Open.....
Chris Griffiths topped off a good weekend by reaching the final of the under 15s Welsh ranking event today at the Newport Velodrome. Chris eventually lost to Conor Edwards in the final which went the distance with a 11-9 victory in the 5th set in favour of the cool under pressure Edwards. In the semi final Chris put on a good display to beat Ryan Oyler 3-1.
Also in the under 15s category was Ferndale's Steven Fawkes, Sam Griffiths and Liam Winder; all 3 boys failed to qualify through the groups. Fawkes had an extremely tough group with both finalists Chris and Conor all placed together. Steve did beat Thomas Heydon from Swansea 3-0. Liam Winder had his chances taking Ryan Oyler to a deciding 5th set but it wasn't to be. He also lost to Steffan Jealik 3-1. Sam Griffiths who is now looking to be a chopper on the backhand tried hard but was lacking when it mattered on key points.
In the under 13s event Ferndale's Jaymz Tutton and Charlotte Slye were competing and fighting hard for success; it werent to be however but Charlotte shows signs of improvment taking Soffi Jenkins to a 5th set.
Ferndale again had the most players at the event coming from the same club, the commitment of the players and the support shown by their parents is second to none.
18 July 2010
It was an eventful night at Tylorstown Rugby Club as Ferndale Table Tennis club hosted a fundraiser last Friday. The event was a huge success with loads of activities on offer and it was a great way to end what has been a remarkable season for Ferndale TT club. The stocks, bouncy castle, hook the duck were all popular and were organised brilliantly by the youngsters of the club. (some pictures are attached)
It was really pleasing to see everyone chipping in and making the night so special, the players and parents must be congratulated for the hard work they all put in on the night. The community support for the Greenhouse Project at Ferndale Community School is second to none and Friday night really illustrated how important the project is to everyone.
Vounteers are essential and to have such a great core of people willing to give up their time to help out is so pleasing. Many thanks to Pauline Fawkes, Emma Winder, Emma Lewis, Gareth Lewis, Lisa Bruford, Ros Slye, Alison Howells, Lynda Lewis to name but a few.
Highlights
09/10
- Welsh Club of the Year
- Chris Griffiths, British and Welsh Champion
- Welsh League division 3 champions
- Welsh Caps for Dylan Bruford, Liam Winder, Ethan Lewis, Keiran Tann and Chris Griffiths
- Most Dragon Winners
- 3 players from Ferndale in semis of Welsh Under 13s National Championships
- More players Nationally ranked then any other club in Wales
04 June 2010
Mid-Table finish for TTK Ferndale
It was an early start for the team leaving Ferndale at 5.30am on Wednesday 2nd June to compete at the Alan Sherwood Cup in London for a 2 day event. The AS cup see's all the Greenhouse Schools from London and Rhondda come together for a one off competition. All teams consist of 8 players 4 boys and 4 girls (1 primary, 1 year 7, 1 year 8 or 9 and 1 year 10 or 11). The Ferndale squad is fairly inexperienced with the oldest player Lauren Slye only in year 9, nevertheless the team fought hard all competition and finished a creditable 5th position out of the 12th Greenhouse Schools.
The team consisted of Dylan Lewis, Dylan Bruford, Chris Griffiths, Keiran Tann, Charlotte Slye, Cerys Howells, Amy Williams and Lauren Slye. The star performer for the boys was year 7 Dylan Bruford who won 7 out of 9 of his matches while year 6 Charlotte Slye led the way for the girls winning 8 out of 9 of her matches. Amy and Cerys in there first proper competition picked up their first ever victory and improved as the tournament went on. Lauren Slye won 3 out of 9 and was a terrific role model and mentor for the younger girls throughout the 2 days. Welsh Internationals Chris and Keiran were disapointed with their performance on the 1st day both only winning 1 out of 5, day 2 however the boys shaped up and played much better both winning 4 out of 9 overall. Both still only in year 8 so they have plenty of years left to improve. Dylan Lewis has great character and fighting qualities which will hold him in good sted for the future, Dylan won 5 out of 9 of his matches.
Overall I was a little disapointed with our final position as I feel the side were capable of a top 3 finish however it wasn't to be and I cannot fault the players attitude and efforts. They were all a credit to Ferndale Community School both on and off the table, it was really pleasing to see everyone supporting each other so well and the behaviour at the hotel on the whole was good.
Massive thank you to Emma Lewis for helping with transport and looking after the players throughout the whole 2 days.
Results
Lost Ernest Bevin 6-2
Beat St Micheals 6-2
Beat West London Academy 6-2
Drew Harefield 4-4
Lost Ernest/Central 5-3
Beat Wembley High 5-3
Lost Tonyrefail 6-2
Lost Morpeth A 5-3
Beat Morpeth B 7-1
27 May 2010
Here are the final ranking positions for the 2009/10 season:
21 players from Ferndale Community School have a National Welsh Ranking, by far the most from any club in Wales.... Well done everyone!!!
Dragon under 11s
Charlotte Slye- 5th
Dragon under 13s
Dylan Bruford 1st
Dylan Lewis 3rd
Ethan Lewis 6th
Jarrad Walters 6th
Owen Davies 19th
Kurtis Stoddart 22nd
Jaymz Tutton 25th
Luke Jenkins 33rd
Liam Eason 39th
Welsh under 13s
Liam Winder 2nd
Chris Griffiths 4th
Ethan Lewis 6th
Keiran Tann 7th
Jamie Davies 11th
Dylan Bruford 12th
Cadet Boys
Chris Griffiths 10th
Kieran Tann 11th
Liam Winder 14th
Ethan Lewis 15th
Steven Fawkes 18th
Jamie Davies 20th
Sam Griffiths 21th
Junior Girls
Abi Sayce 20th
Lauren Slye 26th
Beth Eaves 28th
Junior Boys
Chris Griffiths 13th
Liam Winder 16th
Steven Fawkes 19th
Ethan Lewis 22nd
Sam Griffiths 23rd
Kieran Tann 27th
Ryan Howells 29th
Jack Johnson 68th
24 May 2010
9 players from TTK Ferndale have been selected for Welsh National training at the National Sports Centre for Wales Cardiff during June.
The following players will train through the half term as part of the Welsh set up:
1st-3rd June
Sam Griffiths year 9
Steven Fawkes year 9
Chris Griffiths year 8
Liam Winder year 8
Ethan Lewis year 8
Keiran Tann year 8
Dylan Bruford year 7
The following have been selected for the development group:
19th June
Dylan Lewis year 7
Dylan Bruford year 7
Charlotte Slye year 6
Congratulations to all players on being rewarded for their commitment throughout the season.
09 May 2010
12 year old Chris Griffiths today became the first national champion from TTK Ferndale winning the under 13s Welsh Championships at the Welsh Institute of Sport in Cardiff. Chris who was introduced to Table Tennis when he joined Ferndale Community School in September 2008 through the Greenhouse project has made massive strides in such a short space of time and is now champion of Wales!!! This tops off what has been a remarkable season for Chris who has won 3 English Competitions and now the Welsh title. In the final Chris raised his game to beat Welsh International Ashey Perry from Ael-y-Bryn in 3 straight sets.
Not only was it a great day for Chris but fellow TTK Ferndale players Liam Winder and Kieran Tann also had a brilliant tournament reaching the semi final stage. Ethan Lewis also made it through to the quarter finals but was drawn against inform teammate Griffiths, Ethan did however have a great win against the eventual finalist Perry beating him in the group stages. Tann picked up good wins on route beating Thomas Heydon of Swansea in the quarter final before losing to Chris in the semis in what was probably the match of the competition with both boys playing out of their skin. Winder who also excelled on the day had a close fought victory over Tonypandy's Steffan Jecalik in the quarter final stage before losing 3-1 to Perry in the semis.
Year 7 Dylan Bruford and year 6 Darran Park primary player Charlotte Slye were also in attendance with Bruford reaching the semi final of the consolation. Charlotte with 2 years left at this level enjoyed the day and will benefit from the experience.
Ferndale had 3 players in the top 4 positions and when you consider that all the best under 13 players from all over Wales were in attendance it makes the result even more satisfying. This is just the start of great things at Ferndale Table Tennis academy as these boys and girls look for more success in the future. The players are a credit to there school....