The positive impact of Greenhouse Sports on Addey and Stanhope students is phenomenal. Thanks to our inspirational Coach, Renan Wiest, we have incorporated Table Tennis into the life blood of our school - with a national championship under our belt and a passion for the sport. The Greenhouse values of passion, commitment and teamwork have made for a strong partnership with our Addey’s family.
We had no idea how great the organisation’s influence would be when Coach Renan joined us in 2018. Originally from Brazil, Renan played table tennis for the national team for over six years. As a player, he qualified for two World Junior Championships, more than 10 National Championships, and he was crowned South American Champion before becoming a coach. His passion and commitment have driven our students from table tennis novices, all the way to first place in the 2020 Under 13 Girls’ National Championships. This year, we had our first National singles finalist in July this year. For a small, voluntary aided, community school, in a significantly deprived area of Deptford - this achievement is exceptional and we couldn’t be prouder. It is these successes which raise everyone’s expectations of the school and in turn, of our young people who are full of potential.
Greenhouse is a charity that believes that every child can succeed - that changes lives through sport. Coaching sessions are a fantastic way for our students to keep, fit, healthy and improve their sports’ skills but the benefits do not stop there. Every student on our table tennis programme is mentored to positively develop other areas of their education and hone important life skills. Through inspirational sports coaching, they develop social, thinking, emotional and physical (STEP) skills – skills that will support them throughout their futures. This additional provision is free to students and sessions run before and after school; at lunch times; and in the school holidays.
As we recover from the pandemic – we believe this is more important than ever. Our students have missed out on so many extra-curricular activities and these play a vital role in enriching their lives and supporting personal development and mental well-being.
So far, we have funded this programme through an anonymous benefactor. This funding has ceased and we simply do not have the funds to keep it going.
We are determined that table tennis will remain at the heart of our school. Our students have proved that they have the talent and the dedication to become national champions and they are testament to the enormous value of engaging with this sport – both for their well-being and for what it offers them as young people learning to cope with a pandemic.
Addeys already has an impressive sporting track record with a premier league footballer Eddie Nketiah and women’s international rugby player Shanaugh Brown amongst our alumni – could a European; World or Olympic table tennis champion be next?
We are asking for your help to raise £26,000 to keep our coach and our table tennis programme for another year. We need your support. Every little bit helps.