TABLE tennis enthusiasts from across the region received a major boost this week with the announcement that a top new academy is to open at Filton College.

The English Table Tennis Association and the Bristol Academy of Sport, which is based at the college, have unveiled plans for a regional table tennis academy which will open in September.

A new campus is already being built at the college and the academy will be housed there, with the benefit of some brand new facilities.

At the head of this new initiative, only the second such academy in England, will be the former Scottish table tennis national team manager and current England coach Kevin Satchell, who comes from Melksham, Wiltshire.

Satchell, a Commonwealth Games medal winner, will remain as an England coach during his tenure at the academy and should attract a wealth of top South West talent to Filton.

He brings with him experience of playing at World level and is said to have some clear ideas of how to develop Bristol into a nationally recognised centre of excellence.

One of the fastest growing sports in the country, table tennis is certainly on the up, with new clubs constantly forming across the South West.

Clubs based in Thornbury and Cam both run three teams each, who play every week in the Stroud and District Table Tennis League.

Satchell, who will act as the academy's head coach, said: "This is a job of a lifetime for me. The Bristol Academy of Sport is a major player in the development of sport in the region for 14-19 year olds and with their new sport facilities being opened in August this year, I can't think of many better places in the UK for this initiative.

"Put with this the popularity of table tennis in Bristol, which has the largest league in the country, and I expect the academy to be attractive to many talented players from across the region."

Alex Murdock, the chief executive of the English Table Tennis Association, was instrumental in promoting the centre as the ETTA's new regional centre of excellence and the recent visit and endorsement by Steen Hansen, the English table tennis squad's director of performance, rubber-stamped the initiative.

A delighted Simon Panes, the director of the Bristol Academy of Sport, said: "Kevin's appointment underlines the commitment to bringing the best coaches to Bristol and provide youngsters with the opportunity to develop their skills while undertaking full-time education.

"We already have students applying for limited places next year and I believe that Kevin's reputation will turn Bristol into a powerhouse for players in the South West."

Construction is well under way on the new academy with this summer being the building deadline.

For further information on the academy, contact the admissions desk on 0117 931 2121 or visit the college's website at www.filton.ac.uk.

L The Bristol Academy of Sport was launched in 2002 and focuses on male and female football, rugby, netball, golf, basketball and tennis, among others.

The academy concept enables students to continue their participation in sport while also gaining academic qualifications through study and schooling. Over 250 students are now a part of the Filton-based academy.