A TEENAGER who took up table tennis just three years ago has won the under-14s title at the English School championships.

David Meads, 13, of Gainford, learnt to play age the age of nine, on a plank of wood which his father Colin fashioned to cover the family pool table.

From those humble beginnings, his love of the game grew and he began to take the sport more seriously.

David, a pupil at Teesdale School in Barnard Castle, began attending Darlington Table Tennis Club and now trains regularly under the watchful eye of coach Keith Wilson, who recognised his potential. He has now been selected to represent English Schools at international level and will compete in the Home Countries Internationals at Largs in Scotland from June 27-30.

It is the second time he has represented English Schools at that level. In April last year, he went to Dublin for the under 12s competition, when England won the boys' team event. David played at number one, winning all his matches and the overall boys' individual title.

He is currently part of the English Table Tennis Association's (ETTA) junior squad and attends training sessions in school holidays and most weekends at the National Academy in Nottingham. He also plays in the Northumberland men's league, where he is the youngest member, and in the Darlington league.

He trains four times a week, at Newcastle and Darlington, as well as at home, where the plank has been replaced by a proper table. He is also a member of the ETTA youth development squad.

"Training involves a lot of foot work exercises," said David. "The game is also hard on the top of the legs as you spend so much playing time with the knees bent."

David is rated as the number one player in the county at under-14 and under-17 level, number five at under-14 nationally, number 18 at under-18 nationally and 214 at senior men national level.

He competed at Cheltenham last weekend, accompanied by his parents who spend around £600 a month on training, equipment, accommodation, tournament entry fees and petrol.

"I do get a little bit of financial help," said David, who hopes to play professionally.

"I am grateful to the district council and a local bus company for giving me money for the Scotland trip, but I am looking for longer term sponsorship too."

Anyone who would like to offer sponsorship to help David continue competing can contact Jean Southren at Teesdale School on 01833 637507.