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- Founder and Head Coach of Byng Hall Table Tennis Club Gary Howe BEM
Founder and Head Coach of Byng Hall Table Tennis Club Gary Howe has dedicated over 30 years of his life to the sport and this achievement was recognised last June when Gary was awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to table tennis, young people and to the community in Tunbridge Wells.
CommunityAd caught up with Gary to discuss his love of the sport and the incredible work he has done with Byng Hall Table Tennis Club (Byng Hall TTC).
You have provided over 30 years of service to the sport of table tennis but was there a particular moment that made you realise you wanted to invest fully into the sport?
Not really; I had always loved it as a player, but I guess when I could see that my enthusiasm for it seemed to encourage others and it became infectious.
Will Bayley
Byng Hall TTC is one of the best clubs in the country; can you explain the steps you had to take from first founding the club to establishing it as a level 4 star Premier Club?
I think to be totally honest it was a mixture of things but mainly to have a group of people who had the same ethos in developing youngsters to be the best they could be.
Throughout those 30 years, what would you say have been the proudest moments you have experienced?
There has been quite a few, various players achieving their ultimate goals and even the little achievements along the way made me very proud of what we as a club have achieved. However, I suppose it has to be Will Bayley’s Para achievements that take the top spot, the very thought that for anyone to be a large part of the progress of an Olympic champion is a rare and precious thing I guess.
Plus, of course receiving a BEM for the years of service takes the biscuit, such a proud moment.