What I'm hoping for from TTDSL Episode 1 - original post on my facebook page marktannertt
TableTennisDaily are releasing their new Super League in two days time!
This is a new table tennis super league in the UK, based at Cardiff Table Tennis Club and featuring 8 teams and in their own words it is:
The TableTennisDaily Super League (TTDSL) has been created to showcase table tennis in the most dynamic, relatable and entertaining way possible. TTDSL Season 1 which launched in 2021 features some of the UK’s leading clubs, fastest rising talents, biggest characters and legends of UK table tennis. Players include multiple national champions from all age groups and genders, Paralympic medallists as well as some full time table tennis professionals.
There is of course the TTD Team that featured in the British League system over the last few years, with characters such as the Pocket Rocket, Captain, The Founder and many more. Lining up against them is - Fusion Table Tennis Club Strikers, Super Vetts, Cardiff City Table Tennis Club , One Direction, Peterborough, EBATT and the University of Nottingham.
More information can be found on the League's dedicated Facebook page TTDSL - some cracking players taking part!
Now what do I want to see from this first episode and series:
1 - The same high quality production value as previous series - Now this is a given and I'm sure we'll get this, especially as Dan and his team now have their own dedicated centre in bris..... who knows where, but it looks awesome! The most striking thing about TTD videos is the attention to detail in their editing and it keeps getting better and better, almost to the point of TV quality production, so high hopes for more of the same!
2 - Continuous TTD character/player development - This is one of the most important things TTD have done, they have built up these amateur table tennis players in mini characters for the table tennis community. They tell a story around each player which creates a relatable character for viewers to get behind. I'm sure this inspires younger players locally and internationally to train that extra bit harder to perfect the Whip from the Captain, or the Pocket Rocket's backhand - or maybe they want to move more for the ball like the Frog!
3 - Focus more on the opposition - Now this was hard to do in the formal British League scene as maybe a few players don't want to be filmed etc. This is the genius thing that Dan has done, he's taken that away with this league. Each team knows that they will be filmed and hopefully be expected to talk to the camera. I'd love to see some of the new teams get decent time to be introduced to the viewers and start to form their own story.
4 - Other teams doing their own filming - Ok so not something TTD has control over, but still... It'll be great to have more people talking about table tennis in Britain in such a positive way. This can now give Big Shot more content ideas - allow for Doran to show case Ebatt - The Super Vetts to bring their audience to TTD, the possibilities are endless.
5 - Interaction with the viewers - This first series and the times that are living through is the perfect time to experiment for TTD. Numbers in the hall etc will be limited so fans probably won't be admitted (I could be wildly wrong) so it'll be about gathering feedback from their UK and international views as to how to keep evolving and improving the format. Then for the following series they can open it up to a live audience and really begin to make table tennis more of a spectator sport and a real day out.
That's what I'm hoping to see from this latest venture from TTD - do you agree? Want to add something?
Then please comment and join me in talking about UK table tennis!