Table tennis centre reopens after tornado damage

A table tennis centre has reopened three years after it was damaged by a powerful storm and tornado.

Storm Ciarán and its 100mph (160km/h) winds ripped through Jersey in November 2023 with the Geoff Reed Table Tennis Centre being at the heart of the tornado's path.

Eleni Middleton, president of the Table Tennis Association, who helped reopen the centre, said: "Everyone's really happy, everyone's smiling, really excited. Finally we're back.

"It's been really tough at times, but it's been really rewarding as well to see the table tennis community come together in some really challenging times. We've all learned so much about being resilient, but also how to cope in adverse conditions."

Middleton said: "One of my goals from now on is to try and attract as many females as possible to the sport, so watch this space."

The centre opened with a top 12 tournament which was attended by juniors from across the island.

When it was closed, players from across Jersey played around the island including Fort Regent and St Clements.

Theo, 16, is one of the table tennis players who played at the opening on Wednesday.

He said "it was really devastating" because for many it was "the only sport that we do or the only chance to like see friends outside of school, so we were all very disappointed but we were very glad to have somewhere to play in the meantime".

"We're really grateful for the support and donations that people have given to be able to get us back in here and it's really great".

Funding for the centre came from the States, Jersey Property Holdings and donations.

Freya, 18, thinks the new centre will help improve her game calling it the "perfect environment to train".

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