The London Borough of Ealing, home borough of nine times British champions, DHS London Progress, saw their boys table tennis squad of Daniel Basterfield, Sullivan Morais and Tony Wilkinson win, for the first time, the Gold medal at the London Youth Games. All three lads, who go to the West London Academy, are up-and-coming Progress stars, and all three of them played out of their skins to bring the gold medal back to Ealing. It was an amazingly close affair with many games in the Final being decided on deuce. Perhaps it was that indomitable Progress spirit that saw Ealing triumph, or perhaps just the good fortune of the day, but either way, it was a great way for London Progress to repay Ealing for all the support and trust they have shown to London Progress over the past three years.
As for the team itself, full credit should go to Jason Sugrue, who, as a TTK/ Greenhouse coach based full time at the West London Academy, has done such a wonderful job in nurturing and training the three Ealing players. So if the weekend's victory was a tribute to the Progress /Ealing partnership it was also a further testimony to the growing partnership between DHS London Progress and TTK/Greenhouse. DHS London Progress has long argued that success can only come through partnerships and the Ealing Youth Games victory was clear proof of this.
Ironically, it should be noted that the final was against the London Borough of Brent, the former home of DHS London Progress, so there was a great feeling of both cometition and camaraderie between the teams. This feeling was heightened because the Brent team was also made up of TTK youngsters who should be fully congratulated for their magnificent performances. Finally, a special acknowledgement to the Ealing coach, Vidal Graham, who had some difficult team selections to make but seemed to make all the right decisions on the day. Of course, both Vidal Graham and Jason Sugrue will recall playing together for the all conquering Brent team of in the 1990's.
Having won the trophy for the first time, Ealing Table Tennis Manager, Jon Kaufman declared he will be doing everything possible to retain the trophy for the borough next year and beyond.
Meanwhile, while all the excitement was taking place at Crystal Palace, three very young Progress stars were attending an England U12 training camp at the National Sports Centre in Lillishall. Charleigh Kirby, recent winner at the Cippenham Summer Festival, Jack Basterfield, younger brother of Daniel Basterfield and Igor Morais, younger brother of Sullivan Morais, all pushed themselves to the limit and acted as great ambassadors for their club.
One of the highlights of the weekend was Charleigh Kirby training with the table tennis legend, Desmond Douglas. Douglas, former ten times British Champion and World number seven gave the three Progress youngsters further motivation to intensify their training.
All in all it was a great weekend for the London Progress machine and further evidence to support the club motto: London Progress Never sleeps!.
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