PUPILS from four Swindon schools faced off in a sporting battle yesterday afternoon to see who would go on to be the table tennis champions of Wiltshire.

The tournament, hosted by Swindon Academy, was part of the Sainsbury’s sponsored Wiltshire and Swindon School Games with the winner taking home a place in the national championships.

Pupils from Commonweal School, Nova Hreod Academy, Royal Wootton Bassett Academy and Swindon Academy were taking part.

Tournament organiser and development officer for the Swindon Table Tennis League, Lee Bowen, said: “We’ve got four schools involved and 72 matches planned.

“This is the first full table tennis school games, we’re trying to introduce the sport to young people and develop it in schools.

“It’s a great way of keeping fit for young people and there’s a chance to go on to the national finals.”

There was a time when kids who didn’t play football or rugby found school sport a rather lonely place.

However all that is now changing in an effort to ensure that all young people, no matter their character or natural ability, can enjoy physical activity.

Swindon Academy is leading the way with the rollout of less common sports, designed to engage a wider cross section of their student body.

Chris Oke, enrichment leader at Swindon Academy, said: “We do the normal football, rugby and cricket but we offer a range of niche sports as well.

“It’s a great way of engaging those kids who may have different interests to get them involved in sport.”

As well as table tennis, the school offers climbing and handball – they even have their own climbing wall built in to the corner of their sports hall.

“Table tennis is one of those sports that kids might not know they like until they try it,” said Chris.

“Sanford Link Table Tennis Club is based here too and some of our kids go along to that on Friday evenings and progress from there.”

One such pupil who didn’t expect to enjoy the sport but has since taken a real shine to it is year 10 pupil Kaedon Dubose.

Kaedon, 15, said: “I sort of hated it to begin with but eventually I started beating a couple of people, then even winning against some of the better people.

“I enjoy it now – I’ve started going on Friday evenings to the main club as well.

“I think we can do well today, if I can get to the nationals then I’d really like that opportunity.”

Fellow Swindon Academy pupil, Rasik Chhetri, 13, enjoys taking advantage of mainstream and niche sports – playing football, competing in athletics, but also trying his hand at table tennis.

Rasik said: “Today should be good fun. I’m looking forward to playing against people I’ve never played against, it will be good to see what other people have to offer.”