THE Weymouth & District Table Tennis League season is now underway and 29 teams, including seven youth teams, will compete over three divisions.

The Third Division sees the biggest change with new beginner teams entering and a large increase in female competitors of all ages.

One of Budmouth’s teams will be a squad of year nine girls, who train every Wednesday at the Budmouth girls’ after school club.

Preston will be entering a rival ladies’ team, many of whom have been training with former England player Matt Ware for some time in the off-season.

There are exciting new developments at the Wey Valley Tennis Centre, which will be a new host to league fixtures and new training sessions to encourage youth and adult beginners.

Wey Valley School are entering a youth side for the first time and a new Wey Valley Tennis Centre team has entered, consisting of players trying competitive table tennis for the first time.

One Wey Valley Tennis Centre player will be 10-year-old Jess Moggeridge, who competed in the national under-10 and under-11 championships last season.

Moggeridge now trains up to five times a week in Weymouth, Bournemouth and Christchurch and will be the youngest player to compete in the league.

Her mum, Nina Moggeridge, Richard Lane and Jon Dean make up the rest of her team.

Andy Millar, the league’s development officer commented: “The Weymouth League is investing a lot of time in encouraging new adults to play the sport and we will help players to set up teams and provide venues.

“Age and ability is no barrier and we have new beginner coaching sessions at Wey Valley Tennis Centre every Wednesday to help players get going.

“Dorchester also has a new practice venue at Dorchester YMCA, which will run a session every Thursday evening.”