Gary born in Co. Armagh. Away back in the 80s he studied Sports Studies with Education at the University of Ulster in Jordanstown, graduating in 1989. He went on to teach Physical Education and Careers & Guidance for 32 years and retirement from full time work in 2022 and then joined Table Tennis Ulster as the Operational Supervisor with responsibility to manage the Sports Systems Investment via SportNI funding in 2023. A passionate racket sports person, Gary in 2024 won the Irish Open O55s Racketlon Championships and got selected and played for Team GB in the 055s team at the World Racketlon Championships in Rotterdam Aug 2024. Say hello to Gary!
Born in Newry, Nicola’s passion for sports has been a defining feature of her life. From a young age, she immersed herself in competitive soccer and hockey, excelling in both disciplines. This enthusiasm led her to pursue a BA (Hons) in Sports Coaching at the University of Central Lancashire, solidifying her foundation in sports education and development. Following her degree, Nicola dedicated 15 years to teaching Physical Education at Dundalk Grammar School. Alongside her teaching career, she continued to nurture her love for coaching, guiding teams in soccer and hockey. In her latest chapter, Nicola has brought her wealth of experience to Table Tennis Ireland, where she continues to contribute to the growth and development of sports in new and exciting ways.
Alek is a Polish native who has confidently called Ireland home since 2007. His passion for table tennis began at the age of 7, and by 11, he was already a member of a local table tennis club. By the age of 14, Alek had made up his mind—he wanted to become a coach.
His love for the sport only deepened over the years, and in May 2022, with the support of Table Tennis Ireland, Alek turned his dream into a reality by founding the Mourne TT Club. As a Level 2 Coach, he is deeply committed to coaching and sharing his expertise and enthusiasm for the game with others.
In addition to his work with Mourne TT Club, Alek is a Regional Development Officer for Table Tennis Ireland, where he works to promote the sport across the country. He is also furthering his coaching expertise through a Coach Developer course at Limerick University and Sport Ireland, with a clear goal to develop the next generation of top-notch table tennis coaches.
Outside of table tennis, Alek is an avid fan of Formula 1 and snooker. He also embraces his interests in dancing, kitesurfing, and hiking while making family time a top priority. Alek is involved in sports and community, always striving to make a positive impact.
Frank from Ballycastle, Co Antrim
I previously worked for Pearl Assurance as an Agent and progressed to Area Manager with a team working around the North Coast. On the closure of Pearl Assurance in 2003 I started my own business as a Financial Advisor.
On the sporting side I played hockey for Portrush until too many injuries forced retirement.
I started playing table tennis again about 15 years ago. I started coaching 5 years ago and am Level 2 qualified. I joined Table Tennis Ulster as a Regional Development Officer in 2023.
Magdalena joined Table Tennis Ireland in December 2024 as the Finance and Administration Officer. Originally from Poland, she moved to England in 2012, initially for just a year to improve her English—but after meeting an English boy (now her husband), she never returned home.
In 2016, Magdalena moved to France, where she spent five years pursuing her passion as a self-employed dance fitness instructor. In 2021, she relocated to Northern Ireland in search of a peaceful country life on the Ards Peninsula, along with her two dogs and then soon-to-be-born son.
Since then, Magdalena has put on her academic hat and is currently studying for a degree in Psychology. She is loving life at Table Tennis Ireland and is grateful for the sense of community the sport brings.
In her free time, Magdalena enjoys running, training, and travelling. She also collects fridge magnets from the various places she visits around the world—a fun way to remember her adventures.
