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Table tennis products going like bats
We take a quick look at some table tennis products going like bats out of hell and how snooker is cued up for success!
According to two of the key players, Cornilleau and Butterfly, table tennis is a market that offers a great deal of consistency and scope for the sports retailer. For starters, it’s a year round sport although there are natural peaks at the start of the table tennis season (September) and in the run up to Christmas and other holiday periods. What gives it such appeal is the fact that table tennis is such an inclusive sport, encouraging all age groups and a great deal of family participation. What’s more, Cornilleau’s rollaway tables are suitable for disabled players.
Both brands are in agreement about the breadth and potential of their customer base. Butterfly took the innovative step of introducing the Skills table tennis programme this year, developed in conjunction with the English Table Tennis Association specifically to appeal to the number of youngsters taking up the game at home and in schools. Skills is a concept that will ensure they start playing table tennis with the right equipment. Top end kit is big business with clubs, then there are leisure centres, holiday resorts and educational establishments. For the high street retailer there is a vast range of accessories, including specialist blades, rubbers, bats and and balls, for home or competition use. The internet has had a big part to play, literally, with sales of tables notably being generated through this retail resource – in this instance it is a quite a complementary retail development as tables require considerable shop floor space and a delivery service.
UK Table Tennis is the sole authorised importer of French brand Cornilleau, first launched in the UK 24 years ago. Their range extends from hobby tables to ITTF competition tables and products comply with the European safety standard EN14468-1. Investment in safety is a key issue for the brand whose patented DSI double locking system means the table automatically locks in both storage and playing positions, even on uneven surfaces. Cornilleau has just completely remodelled their Pro 510 outdoor static, which is perfect for highly intensive sport use such as campsites and leisure centres. A radically different look is now combined with the antiglare coating MATTOP playing surface and fixing feet which can be bolted into the ground for complete safety. All competition models have a SKILTOP surface for excellent ball adherence and constant reproduction of spin.
Butterfly’s V-shaped starter net and post set has been developed as part of the Skills programme to turn any desk or table into a playing area without the need of a conventional net and post set. Alongside this table top innovation are 2 bats - the Butterfly Skills Junior and full size Butterfly Skills - both produced in conjunction with the ETTA to provide optimum performance and enjoyment whilst learning. The table tennis balls are a durable 40 mm to meet ETTA requirements.
The Skills bats feature Butterfly PanAsia reversed rubber in black and red with a 5 ply blade and flared handle and an attractive price point around the £12 mark.
Start Sport is a pack from Butterfly which includes a downsized Junior table (27" rather than 30"high) and a 4" net and post set instead of standard 6” version. Two full size and two junior Skills bats and 12 Butterfly Skills balls complete the pack which has an rrp of £195.00.
Cornilleau has launched three Competition bats in collaboration with top tyre manufacturer Michelin, the leading tyre manufacturer. Described as revolutionary, the ergonomically designed Tacteo series is manufactured entirely from composite materials and is shock resistant, waterproof and highly durable.).
The new 3 Star ball (rrp £4.50 for a box of three) was only introduced to the British market by Butterfly 12 months ago and is already now being used for the majority of the major competitions in the United Kingdom. This includes the English National Senior Championships, the British League, all ETTA County Championships matches, the 10 Butterfly Grant Prix tournaments, the English National Junior and Cadet Championships, all Scottish competitions, the UK Schools Games in Glasgow in September and all English Veterans' tournaments.
