Towns Fund brings Teqball to Bonnygrove Park

What do you get if you cross football and table tennis?

Teqball and the latest addition to Middlesbrough’s Bonnygrove Park is sure to be a hit with competitive types of all ages.

The table was installed thanks to a Towns Fund grant applied for by local Ward Councilors Chris and John Hobson.

And this week under-23 Boro star Isaac Fletcher popped along to Marton West to try his hand at the up-and-coming sport.

The table whose curved surface slopes away at each corner costs 5,000 to buy and install and is one of the first of its kind in the local area.

Teqball is played between two players in singles or between three or four in doubles, much like table tennis.

The football can be hit by any part of the body except the hands.

The Hobsons put in a bid for 50,000 from a 1 million Towns Fund pot aimed at enabling local Ward members to improve Parks and green spaces within their wards.

Their successful application Secured 25,000 for a new Boardwalk at Fairy Dell and 25,000 to be shared on Improvements and new equipment at Bonnygrove Park and Marton West Beck walkway.

Councilor Chris Hobson said: We were always on the look-out for ways to enhance and improve our Parks and green spaces, and these Grants were too good an opportunity to pass up.

We have a lot of play equipment in the park for the younger children but only had the goal posts for the older ones.

We thought the Teqball table would give the teenagers something to do and enhance the park, and the early signs are that its proving really popular.

Isaac Fletcher, who this week joined Scunthorpe on loan to continue his development as a player, said: Teqballs have been a real hit with the lads at the club and it gets pretty competitive.

Its great to see a table out in the community it will help players of all ages keep fit, learn new skills and have fun.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: I wanted to ensure that people all over Middlesbrough could benefit from this funding, so we invited Councilors to put forward proposals for their own communities.

Congratulations to Chis and John for coming up with something that’s going to give a lot of people a lot of fun for many years to come.