Preston’s University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) will host the Junior and Cadet 6 Nations Table Tennis Tournament 2013.

After being held on the Isle of Man in 2012, the Junior and Cadet 6 Nations table tennis competition 2013 sees the event returning to England. Preston in fact. The UCLan Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre to be more accurate.

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The tournament features youngsters from England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Jersey and the Isle of Man and will take place 8-10 March.

The Manager of UCLan’s Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre (STFSC), Martin Baines, commented: “We are looking forward to welcoming the six table tennis teams to the STFSC who will train and compete at our first-class facility. It is a fantastic opportunity to boost table tennis interest in Lancashire and I’m glad that UCLan can play a part in this.

“UCLan has already welcomed international table tennis teams to STFSC when the USA and Australian table tennis teams used the centre as a pre-Olympic training base in 2012. They were delighted with the quality of our facility and we are pleased to once again invite the sport’s top athletes to Preston.”

England was victorious in six of their eight disciplines across both the individual and team events and the hosts hope to experience similar success in Preston.

English Head Performance Coach and former international, Nick Jarvis, noted the importance of these challenges in a young player’s career. He said: “There is always great rivalry in home internationals in any sport. Table tennis is no exception, passions will be strong and emotions high. Our players will relish the chance to compete against opposition and give it their best shot.

“The Home 6 Nations replicates what happens when they play competitions throughout the world. This experience is invaluable.

“Preston has a long tradition of holding high profile events. I remember many years ago playing international matches there, the atmosphere was electric.”