AN ex-national table tennis champion has opened a new club in Fairford to help give children something to do after school and over the summer holidays.

Alex Szabo, of Hungarian and Romanian descent, was once a school national player and has now launched the club at the town's Palmer Hall, to be run by himself with help from other players in the Cirencester League.

"I used to be an accomplished table tennis player, I was a national school champion when I was 17," said Alex, now 32. "I've got three kids of my own and with summer holidays coming, I wanted them to be able to do something fun and that didn't involve them just playing on their laptops or watching TV. I'm not doing it as a business to make any money, it is just something I can do in my free time."

At the launch event on Wednesday (June 21), those interested were invited to try out the facilities, all paid for by Alex, who is qualifying as a coach, and when not playing table tennis is the front of house manager at The New Inn pub in Coln.

The club will run on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11am-3pm during the summer holidays, but before and after that will run on the same days but from 3.30pm until 5.30pm for children aged seven and up.

Alex, who was joined at the launch by his wife Joanna and their three children Matthew, Theo and Raul, said on Fridays he and the other coaches also plan to hold adult sessions from 6pm-10pm.

"All abilities are welcome; we will help to introduce new players to the sport as well as developing more experienced players. We will mix training with matches and competitions during the sessions."

Alex began playing table tennis at the age of seven before quitting the sport at 18 for several years, before once again picking up a paddle following his move to the UK four years ago.

"You lose loads of skills, and you're not as fast, but they have good coaches in Cirencester and they helped me to get back to a good standard," he said.

Alex said he is also in talks with Otilia Bădescu, head coach of Bristol Academy of Sport, who is interested in getting involved with the club. 

Otilia is a Romanian former table tennis champion, having won medals at the Table Tennis European Championships and World Table Tennis Championships during her professional career.

Email alexandruadrians@yahoo.com for more information on the club.