FOLLOWING the appearance of Dorset coach Matt Ware at the World Ping Pong Championships last weekend, it appears he is passing his experience and skillset on to his students.

Ware’s apprentice, 15-year-old Jamie Blair, has had an exciting start to the season, winning the Dorset Schools individual boys’ under-16 event last weekend, securing him a place in the English Schools National Finals in Wolverhampton in April.

It has been a busy few months for the Budmouth College student who has been travelling the country to take part in Table Tennis England national competitions at venues such as Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Plymouth and Horsham where he is achieving notable success.

Blair’s breakthrough tournament was at Burgess Hill in December where he went on to win the under-15 and under-18 titles, which he followed up with another win at Waterside, Southampton.

Following recent results, the Weymouth youngster’s national ranking has risen from 67 at the start of the season to 29 in the cadet (under-15) age group, with a place in the top 32 at the end of the season ensuring qualification for the National Finals.

An added bonus has been the form of Blair’s school side, Budmouth B, in the Weymouth & District League as they chase a league and cup double. Together with Will Jolliffe and Ethan Gear (also 15), they are one of the youngest side’s to challenge for the top spot in Division One, with Blair only being beaten once in the league all season.

Blair’s busy schedule also sees him leading Weymouth’s challenge in the National Cadet League and the National Junior League in Southampton and he plays in his first Grand Prix event in Bath in February. Together with county representation at cadet and junior levels, Blair has a busy few months ahead.

Weymouth coach Andy Millar has praised the youngster, saying: “Jamie’s attitude has been first class and he is a fantastic role model to others in Weymouth to what can be achieved with hard work and determination.”