Ross Ahern
The 11-year-old Cumbria County Schools Championships under-11s title after taking the tournament by storm at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School and is a great prospect.
Ross progressed through the group stages and eventually overcame his opponent 3-0 in the final to lift the crown.
The Holy Family RC primary school pupil also progressed to the quarter-finals of the under-13s tournament where he was eventually beaten by older opposition.
This success comes at a time when Ross is pushing ever-upward in the sport, with the help of regular coaching sessions at Parkview Table Tennis Centre, often under the tutelage of former England coach Dennis Neale.
“He’s been playing for three years now,” said dad Steve.
“A mate asked him if he wanted to go along to training one night. One of the coaches thought he had potential and we’ve taken it from there.”
Ross Ahern being coached by former England coach and Barrow player Dennis Neale
Ross himself puts his initial enjoyment down to that first coach who came to teach him at school – Duncan Crawford.
“I really enjoy it and it was good when I started because Duncan is a very good coach,” he said.
“I like serving and hitting the ball, but I think I need to improve my backhand.
“I’ll be playing against older players next year so it will be harder.”
Following on from Ross’s success at the county event, he will represent Cumbria at the English Schools Championships in Doncaster this weekend.
Winning the tournament did not faze Ross and he left the celebrating to his parents. “He just had a laid back attitude towards winning,” said dad Steve.
“He doesn’t tend to get over excited, he leaves that to me and his mother!
“I texted all my mates and rang family members, I think I was more excited than Ross.”
Ross will continue playing the sport when he starts at St Bernard’s in September and the school already has a good pedigree within the sport.
The Dalton youngster was also invited to join the North of England under-11s set-up, following his recent success.
Ross Ahern playing a forehand drive
He trains at the table tennis centre at Parkview School where he receives top coaching from the likes of former England player and coach Neale.
As the sport looks to develop in the county, coaches have begun investing time in school sides and generating a buzz about the game as they look to encourage more youngsters to take up table tennis.
The sport has a strong following across the country and it is hoped the sport will progress in Furness.
“You don’t realise how much interest their is in the sport until you go to the national events,” added Steve.
“It’s more the southern counties that are keen on the sport but with all the distractions it’s not as popular around here.”
As Ross will be starting senior school next year he will not be able to defend his title and he will be making the step up in age groups to the under-13s and the under-16s.
The step up in age will be a new task for the youngster, but his dad is confident he will have a bright future in the game.
“It’ll obviously be a bit harder for him with the age difference,” he added.
“It just depends if he can play well on the day. We’re really proud of him.”
Article courtesy of the North West Evening Mail.
