One of the most satisfying things for any sports club is to watch their young home grown talent develop into great performers. It doesn't happen over night and it certainly doesn't happen in a straight line. And of course not every youngster makes the grade. But when it does happen it is very satisfying indeed. This weekend's senior British League was one such occasion for London Progress. With many of our regular senior players out of action for a variety of reasons, a number of our young players were elevated to positions of responsibility and three in particular rose to the occasion. 

In Division One South, with Henry Medellin and Yaccov Bogen both unavailable, it fell to the Mauthoor brothers, Umair and Yasir, to fly the flag for Progress. Umair is already a hardened campaigner as his first weekend's results showed and once again he performed brilliantly in the number two spot behind the outstanding Hubert Noah, brother of the equally outstanding, Marco Essomba. But it was Yasir, catapulted from Division Four, who was the real hero, defeating, among others, the highly experienced John Dennison from Jags/Fusion, and thus helping Progress to claim maximum points in the match. In Division Two, it was the young Ashley Stokes who steered the team to a one point lead at the top of the division. Remember that it is only three short years since Ashley wandered into the after-school ping pong club at the London Progress Academy in Edgware to pick up a bat for the first time. Under the coaching inspiration of Zayd Mauthoor, Daniel Cannon, Jason Sugrue, Anthony Corbin, Egle Adomelyte, Henry Meddellin,Charlie Alvarez, Kaori Saijo and the amazing Zhang Xiao Peng, and a host of others, Ashley has emerged as a very promising junior with England potential. What impressed most was his ability to stay focused under pressure, and to overcome his temperament problems that had so bedevilled his efforts last season. This season Ashley Stokes has clearly come of age on the table tennis table.   

In Division Three, it was the young Daniel Ives who shone out for Progress, winning an impressive six out of eight matches and keeping the team within touching distance of the leaders, Mossford. Daniel Ives, like Ashley Stokes, is a student at the newly formed table tennis academy in Bristol, led by Scottish supreme, Kevin Satchell. Kevin should take some considerable credit for the maturity both Daniel and Ashley Stokes showed at the weekend. Other young players who wish to combine their studies with their ping might well consider a placement at the Bristol College. But prior to Bristol, it was the tireless efforts of Daniel Cannon and Zayd Mauthoor at Frenford Progress that should be acknowledged. In division four where five of our young players are gaining valuable experience under the experienced direction of Charlie Alvarez, some good performances were recorded. Rafi Marom, Tony Alvarez, Daniel Flash, Time Famojuro and new recruit, Ryan Collins all showed much promise and by next season we expect them to seriously begin their assent up the British League Divisions. Each of them clearly have work to do on their temperament and game plan but the talent is definitely there and above all else, they have that indomitable Progress spirit. It just needs to be tempered and refined but they will surely form a crucial part of the new generation of Progress super stars.  

Where is all this hard work heading? Clearly the ultimate prize is to see at least one of this new generation of youngsters play in the Progress Premier team. Umair Mauthoor is the obvious first candidate but the others may not be far behind. Ormesby and Darlington have shown what is possible in this respect and we are not ashamed to follow their lead. We are very proud of the international superstars that have helped Progress to the top but we will be doubly proud if one of our current youngsters can join them.