The first ever National Shul Table Tennis Championships take place on March 11 at top British League venue, Batts in Harlow, Essex in association with Maccabi GB.

The Championships mark the start of a new National Shul Table Tennis League which will be launched at the event. The league aims to support the many shuls who play table tennis and encourage more to take part in the sport, and interact with people from across the UK Jewish community.

The event features an Under 17 and Open event and is aimed at players of all ages and abilities, whether club standard, those who previously played the sport and want to rediscover it, or participants who have never picked up a bat but wish to turn their hands to a new skill.

The Championship and the League will be sponsored by Maccabi GB as part of their Sports For Everyone initiative timed to coincide with the year of the London Olympic and Paralympics games.

With the game invented by Ivor Montagu, Jewish world champions including Victor Barna and Richard Bergmann and huge success at the Maccabiah, it is hoped that the National Shul Table Tennis League will build on a great Jewish sporting tradition and help develop the sport within the community.

A number of synagogues have expressed an interest in competing from Manchester to London and beyond.

MGB are encouraging synagogue committees across the UK to get involved.

A Maccabi GB spokesman said: "If your synagogue is interested in taking part but doesn’t have the facilities for training, then please get in touch with us as we are able to offer advice and support with the help of our sponsors Maccabi GB."

Adam Black, co-founder, said: "We've got everyone from England players, Maccabiah medalists, grand-dads and kids playing table tennis in the community.

"There used to be local Jewish leagues all over the UK. Now for the first time we're running a national one.

"We have all knocked a ball around, now we want to provide people with the opportunity to play the game regularly and meet other members of our community who enjoy it like they do.

"This event is not only for elite players but for everyone. It's a great chance for the community to get together in a completely new way."

Shuls are invited to enter a team of three or four players. Entry is limited. To register your interest in the event or for more information, call Adam Black on 07977 415 127 or e-mail: nsttl@hotmail.com