Betty Gray

Betty is a very special lady. For more than 50 years she has been a living legend in Welsh table tennis. Taking honours all over the world - raising the profile of the game and acting as official ambassador for the sport and Wales. She started playing table tennis in 1939. Nearly all the young men had gone off to war and sport provided an alternative social life. During her playing career she won gold in the European and World singles championships for her age group and bronze doubles. Now over 90 years old, she is still an active coach amd oversees weekly sessions and competitions at leisure centres across Swansea. Players flock to the Swansea youth clubs, play schemes and training development sessions she has helped run for more than 30 years. Some are just five years old. She is president of the Table Tennis Association of Wales, the Swansea Table Tennis League and the new Cymru Veterans Association. Betty Gray was recognised for amazing commitment to Welsh sport with the 2010 Sport Wales Coach of the Year Lifetime Achievement award.