Imagine facing a life-altering diagnosis like Parkinson's, feeling your body betray you, and wondering if joy and activity are things of the past. But what if a simple game – table tennis – could offer a lifeline, a community, and a renewed sense of purpose? That's exactly what's happening in Leeds, and it's a story that deserves to be told.
'Table tennis helps with our Parkinson's symptoms'
In the heart of Yorkshire, Leeds, an inspiring story is unfolding. It all began when Rob Cook's partner noticed a tremor in 2017. His handwriting had deteriorated, becoming, in his words, "very small and rubbish," and he noticed an involuntary rolling of his thumb and fingers. After three visits to his GP, he finally received a Parkinson's diagnosis in 2019. But here's where it gets interesting...
Not long after his diagnosis, Rob stumbled upon research suggesting that table tennis could be beneficial for Parkinson's sufferers (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41197370/). A former teenage player, he knew he had to get back into the game. "I had trouble finding the right place, and there wasn't a group like this," he explains. "So I thought I need to start one and then other people can get involved."
And so, in 2023, Parky Ping! was born – a Leeds-based table tennis club specifically for people living with Parkinson's disease. The club's impact has been so profound that it recently received the Community Sports Project of the Year award from the Leeds City Council.
Located in Kirkstall, Parky Ping! welcomes members of all skill levels. With over 50 members, the club provides professional coaching and, perhaps even more importantly, a supportive community where individuals can share their experiences and learn from one another about living with Parkinson's. The club offers a space for people to connect, exercise, and find camaraderie.
But it's not just about gentle exercise; Parky Ping! also embraces the spirit of competition. Rob believes it's the only Parkinson's club in the UK with a team competing in a mainstream league, which is an incredible achievement. While there are various competitions specifically for Parkinson's clubs, Parky Ping! takes on the challenge of Division Three of the Leeds Summer League. This is where the story gets even more impressive.
Rob himself, along with his teammate Tony Howgate, has achieved international recognition, winning medals at the Ping Pong Parkinson's World Championships (https://pppwc.org/) in Italy. Their success speaks volumes about the dedication and skill within the club.
"I quickly heard table tennis was a really good thing for Parkinson's because it helps with balance, hand-eye co-ordination, aerobically and with very quick thinking and side-to-side movement," Rob explains. Inspired, he participated in the first-ever UK Open for people with Parkinson's, winning a bronze medal. "That was actually the first time I'd met other people with Parkinson's," he recalls.
This summer, Rob added another bronze to his collection at the Parkinson's Scottish International Open (https://tabletennisscotland.co.uk/parkinsons-scottish-international-open-2025/) in mixed doubles. Tony, not to be outdone, secured gold medals in both the singles and doubles events in Scotland.
"We play up in Scotland every year, and we've got German friends, we've got Portuguese friends, we've got Latvian friends, we've got all kinds of different nationalities, Spanish, French, it's amazing," says Tony, highlighting the international community that has grown around Parkinson's table tennis. "There are more and more of these championships sprouting up all the time."
For Tony, the social aspect has been the most rewarding. "You meet some incredible people. I know it's a bit of a cliche. There's a bond of friendship, but it's completely true," he says. He emphasizes that while about half the members participate in organized leagues, the others come for the social interaction, the chance to get out of the house, and to connect with others who understand their experiences. "About 50% of the people in here play in a proper organised league to different levels but the other people, they come because it gets them out and about and you can have a nice piece of cake in the corner and a cup of coffee with people of the same ilk who think and act the same way."
Tony's journey with table tennis and Parkinson's began before his diagnosis in 2021. His Parkinson's nurse encouraged him to pursue sports to combat his symptoms. "At my first Parkinson's nurse appointment, that lady said: 'Mr Howgate, you look like you're fit. We advise people with Parkinson's to take up as much sport as you can do. Keep yourself fit. It will help combat the symptoms.'" When she learned of his past table tennis experience, she connected him with another patient who had competed in the world championships. This led to a renewed involvement in table tennis and walking football. And this is the part most people miss...
While Parkinson's has altered Tony's playing style, he emphasizes the sport's benefits in maintaining agility. "The ball can sometimes move at 120mph with top players, so if you can anticipate where the ball's going to go that gives you a great advantage," he explains. He also acknowledges the challenges posed by the condition, such as chronic tiredness and rigidity, which can temporarily affect his movement during play.
"The one thing that really affects me and it affects nearly all the people is chronic tiredness," Tony explains. "You get what's called rigidity, so you can be playing simple tennis, everything's going well and all of a sudden you can't move. It's not a permanent thing, it only lasts for a short period of time, but as you can appreciate, it takes away from the workings of the rally and how you approach the game." He humorously describes how players often help each other with tasks like putting on coats, highlighting the camaraderie and mutual support within the group.
Tina Dickinson, 67, has been a member of the club for a year. While she doesn't compete, she appreciates the fitness benefits and, above all, the opportunity to connect with others who understand her experiences. "The first time I played in a long session I was knocked out as soon as I got home. I had like a four-hour kip. I pace myself a bit better these days," she says. "It's easier to meet with people who have Parkinson's and you're going through the same thing. I think it's hard to understand if you're not experiencing it."
Diagnosed in 2022, Tina initially struggled with the news. "My first reaction was thinking you're going to die next week. It did take a long time to come to terms with it." But finding community and support has made a huge difference.
Donna Kennedy, 78, a founding member of the club, echoes these sentiments. "I'm not very good. I can just hit the ball back. But it's quick. You have to be thinking all the time. And you have to bend and stretch without really thinking about it," she says. She emphasizes the comprehensive physical and mental engagement required by the sport. "You have to use everything all at once. So you've got balance, co-ordination, I wouldn't say speed, but you have to move as fast as you can. It's got a bit of everything."
Donna appreciates the understanding and acceptance within the group. "The nice thing about playing with other people with Parkinson's is that you don't have to worry about 'people thinking, 'oh, for goodness sake''," she says. "Everybody makes allowances for your either slowness or movement or thought or whatever."
She also wishes for greater public awareness of Parkinson's. "Most people don't really understand about Parkinson's. I didn't when I first had it. I didn't know what was going to happen," she admits. "I wish they knew that everybody's different and that once you have a Parkinson's diagnosis, it doesn't necessarily mean that's it to be done with, because that used to be very much the case."
Leeds City Council's Compassionate City Awards recognize the positive contributions of individuals and organizations within the community. Rob's recognition was met with immense gratitude. "It felt 'fantastic' to be recognised," he says, emphasizing the importance of community building. "It's not just about hitting a ball about, it's about a community and I'm very into helping develop those communities."
Tony believes the award was particularly well-deserved for Rob. "Rob puts in a hell of a lot of hard work and hours, and his partner Kerry as well, they do a hell of a lot of work, and it does make you feel proud," he says. "Without him, it might have got off the ground but it was taking another five years."
This story of Parky Ping! is a testament to the power of community, sport, and the human spirit in the face of adversity. But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that focusing on physical activities like table tennis overshadows the need for more research into a cure for Parkinson's. Others might question whether such initiatives are truly accessible to all individuals with the condition, particularly those with more severe symptoms or limited resources. What are your thoughts? Do you believe that initiatives like Parky Ping! are making a significant difference in the lives of people with Parkinson's? Or should more resources be directed towards research and other forms of support? Share your opinions in the comments below!
