Premier League, Fred Perry and ETTA nationwide table tennis initiative reaches its climax

Young table tennis stars representing Wigan Athletic clinched the title of Fred Perry Table Tennis Urban Cup 2011 Champions, with Arsenal finishing a close second in the event at London's Business Design Centre on the 3rd December, 2011.

Latics representatives Annabelle Rowlands, Hannah Burrow, Ross Byron and Michael O'Donnell - finished the day with 24 points to Arsenal's 22 points, with Hull City in third on 20 points.

The tournament had three divisions: boys, girls and the teams. Unfortunately Ross and Michael were knocked out in the group stages of the boys division. Annabelle and Hannah made it through the group stages but were knocked out in the quarter finals. However, in the team division the four demonstrated determination, and team work and this was rewarded with the title of 'Fred Perry Table Tennis Urban Cup 2011 Champions'.

The Fred Perry Urban Cup, an initiative partnered by the Premier League, Fred Perry and the English Table Tennis Association (ETTA), gives 120,000 children aged 11-14 across urban areas of the country the chance to try out table tennis for the first time. Today's Urban Cup Finals in London saw the top 100 kids representing every Premier League club battle it out for the 2011 title.

Darius Knight, GB table tennis star and Fred Perry Urban Cup ambassador, was on hand to support the finalists and inspire the next generation of table tennis stars.

Darius said: "There was some great table tennis talent at the Fred Perry Urban Cup Finals. I definitely spotted some stars of the future and it is through initiatives like this we will see more and more youngsters taking up the sport. Congratulations to everyone taking part in today's finals and well done to the tournament's winner Wigan Athletic."

Richard Martin, Director of Marketing at Fred Perry, said: "This year's Urban Cup was bigger and better than ever and Fred Perry is extremely proud to have partnered with the Premier League and ETTA to give so many kids the opportunity to play table tennis. Congratulations go to overall winners Wigan Athletic on a very impressive team performance today. Fred Perry himself was a table tennis world champion in 1929 so we are really excited to see the popularity of the sport continuing to grow and look forward to the next edition of the Urban Cup."