A group of table tennis players with Parkinson’s has entered Leeds’ local league after forming the first team of its kind in the UK.
Leeds ParkyPING! – a Kirkstall-based table tennis club for people living with Parkinson’s Disease – took on the challenge to show their diagnosis does not have to mean the end of an active life, and to encourage others with the neurological condition to take up the sport.
Playing in custom-designed shirts to help raise awareness of their cause, the team competes in division 3 of the Leeds Summer League under the umbrella of Chapel Allerton-based Community Table Tennis Club.
All members of the ParkyPING! squad have Parkinson’s, except one – the partner of a player with the condition – who may play for the team occasionally.
They hope the team, believed to be the first of its kind in UK table tennis, will highlight the benefits of the sport and other forms of exercise for people living with Parkinson’s.
Exercise is recognised as the best and possibly only way of slowing down the symptoms of Parkinson’s. And table tennis is thought to be particularly effective because of its focus on balance, hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and making split-second decisions and movements.
ParkyPING! co-founder Rob Cook, who was diagnosed with the condition six years ago, said: “I love table tennis but had hardly played for years. After reading about how helpful table tennis can be I knew I had to get back into it.
“I started ParkyPING! so that I could share the benefits with others living with the same condition. Then I joined Community TT Club and started playing at least twice a week.
“I feel much better than before. I really recommend table tennis to anyone with Parkinson’s. And if you’re really not into it, find something else to keep you moving.”
Tony Howgate, captain of the Leeds ParkyPING! team, said: “While we want to raise awareness about Parkinson’s, we’re not joining the league just to make up the numbers. We’ve got some very decent players. We aim to compete, and to win as many matches as we can.”
Leeds ParkyPING!, which formed in 2023, meets to bat and chat together at St Stephen’s Church Hall, Kirkstall, on the first and third Monday of each month, and the second and fourth Tuesday.
The group includes women and men of all abilities, from complete beginners to people who play and used to play in Leeds Table Tennis League.
The group gets professional coaching and members share informal and invaluable peer support about experiences of living with Parkinson’s. Several partners of group members also attend regularly, allowing them to share information about how their lives are affected by the condition.
The team’s custom-designed kit was funded by the family of Steve Ryan, who took part in the very first ParkyPING! session, and sadly died around Christmas. Feedback he wrote at the end of the first session – “I learnt that I can still hold a bat and pick up a ball! Felt so good!” – convinced founder Rob Cook the group would succeed, and runs along the bottom of the team shirt as a quote.
As well as people with Parkinson’s, club members also include a stroke survivor, a transplant recipient, and several members who are neuro-divergent or have mental health problems.
Club co-founder Andy Chapman said: “When asked if we could host the Parkinson’s team at Community TTC for summer league I was really happy. All of the players are wonderful personalities and the skill level and diversity of playing styles of the Parkinson’s team is truly amazing – it really highlights what’s possible.
“I hope that by entering the league the team gets the message out that table tennis is an excellent activity that can help the body and mind regardless of what you might be going through.”
Jenny Leach, Senior Programmes and Partnerships Manager at Table Tennis England, said: “Table tennis is a fantastic, accessible sport, which is so beneficial mentally, physically and socially.
“We’re so pleased to see developing partnerships like this one in Leeds, which we completely support. We look forward to seeing how this grows and the further positive impact it will have.”
If you or someone you know has Parkinson’s and would like to join the group, whatever your ability, get in touch via Leeds ParkyPING! website www.leedsparkyping.club or by email: parkyping@gmail.com.
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