RAF table tennis cries out for more female stars in hunt for hidden talent

The Royal Air Force says it needs more women to take up table tennis as it grows the sport in the service.

It comes as the RAF enjoys an increase in general participation and a squad that players have described as "one big family".

The gender gap in involvement is perhaps made to seem even more pronounced when considering the talent in Air Force ranks. Despite holding another highly contested championship, British top 20 female player Air Specialist Class 1 Darcy Proud was one of only two women in the tournament at RAF Halton.

• RAF rider speeds to victory as Inter Services Motorcycle Road Racing title race heats up
• Military judokas lead British success at inaugural Uniformed Services European Judo Championships
• Allianz Stadium, Franklin's Gardens, and Kingsholm locked in for 2027 Inter Service matches

Proud, who held aloft silverware for winning the women's singles and mixed doubles titles, told BFBS how she is trying to drive change in the service.

She said: "In all honesty, it's [participation is] very low. We've got a few of us that are trying to keep it going. 

"It definitely needs to be improved; I'm trying my best. We set up every year, so the Army, Navy and RAF rotate, and they hold a women's academy. Women only, we come and play, we come and chat, sometimes we gossip, whatever, it doesn’t matter.

"We're just here to get involved in, not just table tennis, but sport in general.

"The Army this year at Inter Services, they saw a lot more female participation which was unbelievable. The Navy as well, they brought, I think, five girls, so yeah, they did exceptionally well."

Proud says gentle encouragement is crucial: "I feel like sport in any situation, not even just the military, is pushed very much towards 'it's a male-dominated sport' wherever you are, especially table tennis.

"Getting females to understand they can come along and have just as much fun."

RAF Championships organiser and veteran of many years in light blue colours, Flight Sergeant Craig Walton spoke of the sport's accessibility in the Air Force.

"It's making sure people know it's accessible and the level of ability that you potentially think you might need, you actually don't, to turn up to these events," he said.

"Really encouraging to see those we've never seen before, and friends of friends… next thing you see they're turning up to these events and similar as myself, that's how I started."