I I which will THE ANNIVERSARY THE FOUR CELEBRATIONS NIGHT dinners roll on. On July surely give a huge, 29 at the Clarendon by John Woodford in Birmingham new major boost. He said "This Suites in Birmingham will enhance the development following the ETTA AGM work undertaken by the ETTA over Doreen Stannard the last decade and we hope give masterminded the 80th fresh popularity and impetus as we Anniversary Dinner of the move into the final quarter of our Ping Pong Association, first century." combined with the 75th The Ralph Gunnion speech was Anniversary of the ETTA scripted but it was well worth the incorporatmg a dinner effort. It was packed solid with dry for members of The humour providing a fitting climax Hundred Club and 25 to the evening. Ralph was some years work by Doreen years ago, a candidate for the organising the club itself. ETTA chair. He said "One man and It was another sparkling evening his dog voted for me, but I am not attended by nearly 90 diners. A sure that the dog got his vote in!" mouth-watering four-course Huge bouquets were presented dinner followed by four absorbing at the close to Jose Ransome and and entertaining speeches, mainly Doreen Stannard, whilst reminiscences from the past from throughout the evening a running the former general secretary of the display of photographs from the past were projected on a screen, ETTA Derek Tremayne, the Pictured present Chief Executive Richard above are thanks to Don and Jill Parker. Yule, chairman Alan Ransome and some of the The most important absent friend huge portions of humour and fun top players was president who from Birmingham's own Ralph at the was unable to travel after an Gunnion. dinner, accident on the golf course, also The evening was enhanced by DESMOND Mike and Christine Lewis -Mike DOUGLAS, was in hospital. the humour coming from the MC JILL another former general secretary PARKER, Also unable to make the dinner of the ETTA, Albert Shipley. RALPH <' was Don Parker, but Jill Parker was Derek Tremayne recalled with GUNNION escorted by Steen Kyst Hansen, anecdotes, not only the seven & BARRY who I am willing to bet heavily, by JOHNSON years as ETTA General Secretary th~ time these words-appear in but also the time spent running print will succeed Soren Ahlen as the National Sports Training 's World Class Centre at Lilleshall. Performance Director. Richard Yule, hours after being made a vice-president of the ETTA and the AGM - the first Scotsman we believe to be accorded that honour -went as far back as his first encounter with table tennis in Pictured left are DOREEN Scotland when he witnessed an STANNARD and JOSE exhibition match between the RANSOME, who were presented with these huge legendary and a bouquets of flowers. Japanese player called Fuji. Whilst pictured below is a Our chief executive reminded as happy ETTA Management all of the never-to-be forgotten Committee episode at Crystal Palace when Chester Barnes won the English crown in 1963 leading to Denis Neale jumping off the top board at the swiming pool. The most fervent applause of the evening canle when Richard referred to the presence amongst the local contingent of Desmond Douglas. Alan Ransome came next. He spent sometime on the past but emphasised the need to look forward towards the most promising batch of young players now at Nottingham. Also he emphasised that 2002 will be recorded in ETTA history as the year that ·we entered the ~Im: .•.••·••.••..t. 2 Market Street, Blyth. Tel. 01670 351435. "'~.LE Official Travel Agents. ~ ...E...... N I MA "E~. :F·"'V·T(-F: 91A Ashford Road, Eastbourne, ~ Tel. 01323 430036. Official Printers ...... E~"'R~ l1ES ShlKliTH The Official Magazine of the TROPHIES AND ENGRAVING Stroud, Gloucestershire Tel. 01453 886686 E.nglish Table Tennis Association Official Trophy Suppliers Issue No.287 Sept/Oct 2002

Publisher Penicuik. Tel 01968 672244. Official English Table Tennis Association Ltd., Suppliers of Crystal Glassware. Queensbury House, Havelock Road, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 IHF 111111 IUIII Illll Telephone: 01424 722525 Rauter House, 1 Sybron Way, Millbrook Fax: 01424 422103 Business Park, Jarvis Brook, TN6 3DZ email Events: Tel 0870 8483001 [email protected] email Administration: [email protected] 8USINESS SUPPLIES I.lMlTED Web Site: www.etta.co.uk Acorn House, Forstal Road, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7AF Editor & Photographer Tel 01622 882233 John EA. Wood 26 Rosevale Gardens, Luxulyan, Bodmin, .Interflora: Cornwall PL30 5EP say It with flowers' Telephone/Fax: 01726 852282 MoDi Ie: 07786 444878 email: [email protected] fjtfzeBame Editor of TTN' Extra Ken Muhr Tong Hall, Tong Lane, Tong Village, ETTA Headquarters, Hastings West Yorkshire BD4 ORR Tel 0113 2879669 centra 1[~~~rrqtiQn~ Advertisements Richard Yule ETTA Headquarters, Hastings Subscription & Distribution Robert Sinclair Tel 01942 203303 ETTA Headquarters, Hastings s a Subscription Rates 3 Broadway, Broad S1. Binningham B15 1BQ UK - £20, Europe - £32, Tel: 0121 698 8000 Fax: 0121 625 9000 Rest of the World - £37 Printer Hribar FRONT COVER Printed in the UK by Table Tennis Nima Print & Design Services, England win Commonwealth Gold Medals in 91 a Ashford Road, Eastbourne, Joola Equipment & balls for all by Ransome ETTA National Tournaments 2000·2003 - pictures Jose East Sussex BN21 3TE Telephone: 01323 430036 ButterflY~ " ~ Unsolicited articles are welcome for possible publication but the England Team clothing 2000·2004 The ETTA would like to thank the following English Table Tennis Association will accept no responsibility for Grand Prix 2000·2003 the return of manuscripts and/or photographs. organisations for their JuniorNets!Womens British League 2000·2003 Whilst every effort is taken to ensure that reports. a~~ fac~s support are correct at the time of going to press no responsibility Will be accepted by the ETTA should errors be published. either for errors or matters arising as a result. Schildkrot The views expressed in Table Tennis News are those of the Ball supplier ~ ~~~~~ contributors and are not necessarily official ETTA policy. Similarly Grand Prix & British League 2000·2003 TTN accepts advertisements in good faith. but cannot accept Junior/Cadet/National Leagues 2001·2002 ... responsibility for the goods or services described in SPORT r:rtitii!M IirftIP 'IButterfly advertisements. If you have any queries. these should be addressed YtTSP directly to the advertiser. ... Hall supplier All rights reserved. No part of thiS publication may be ENGLAND 100l. DDN/I: reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means. County Championships 2000·2002 LOTTERY FUNDED Jarvis Sports electronic or mechanical including photocopying. recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the prior written consent of the publisher. We ask all members ofthe association to support the above companies who are in turn supporting table tennis. •s 2002 CHA,.,.ERBOX compiled by John Wood

Top Coach PETER CHARTERS receives the Torch Trophy Trust Award During Commonwealth Games by Ken Muhr SIX1Y TWO year old retired Reading teacher, Peter Charters, the coach of many top table tennis players, received a Torch Trophy Trust special award from England Commonwealth champion, had just and Manchester United legend, Sir led the England team to the Games Bobby Charlton, at Manchester men's team final where the next day United FC, , on Tuesday, they lifted gpld. 30th July. The Trust recognises and Charters has been coaching for 30 rewards 'unsung hero' volunteers years, and his pupils number many from all sports for their outstanding former England internationals contribution to sport in the United including Karen Witt (former Kingdom. It will have been a Commonwealth and national poignant moment for Charters, champion), Alison Gordon (former whose star pupil, 31 year old national women's champion), Mandy Matthew Syed, the 3 times Smith, David Reeves, Caroline

ENGLISH TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATIO·N LTD Reeves, Andrew Syed (Matthew's organiser of the 1948 Olympic Torch brother), Jimmy Stokes and David Relay from Olympia in to COMPETITIONS DEPARTMENT Barr. But his most famous star was Wembley in . The Torch Matthew Syed, the current England Trophy Trust is a charitable

no. 1and 4 times national champion, I organisation, whose main aim is to New ETTA Age Eligibility who he started off as an 8 year old encourage voluntary work in sport pupil at Aldrygton Primary School. and other related outdoor activities Following decisions taken at the Extraordinary General Meetin_g of As well as running a school club, he within local communities. English Table Tennis Association Limited, held in Birmingham on set up his own club outside of school The Torch Trophy Trust not only Saturday, 29th June, 2002 and a request from National Council I am for coaching, the Omega Club (now presents awards, but is also actively pleased to give details of the implications for players wishing to renamed Kingfisher) in Reading. engaged in encouraging and helping enter the various events within our Competition programme. The He was also the first head coach at voluntary workers at club level. The changes come into effect for the current Administrative Year, which commenced on 30th June, 2002, the day after the ETTA Annual the Reading Centre of Excellence at Trust operates a bursary scheme, General Meeting. Bulmershe College (where he trained named after the founder of the Trust, as a history teacher), helping many called the Commander Collins The Qualifying dates of birth Under 12 events other England internationals, Bursaries, to help volunteers shown below apply for Season A player entering Under 12 including the Scottish head overcome financial barriers to 2002/2003. events must have been born on coach/team manager for the improving their skills as coaches or or after 2nd January 1991. Commonwealth Games, Kevin officials. Juniors - now Under 18 Satchell. A player entering Junior events Under II events As well as holding many voluntary WANTED must have been born on or A player entering Under I I positions locally in table tennis, after 2nd January 1985. events must have been born on Butterfly Tamca Carbon fibre or after 2nd January 1992. Charters became Chairman of the blade, new or used. Please ring Cadets - now Under 15 National Selection Committee, and is John Wood on 01726 852282 or A player entering Cadet events Under 10 events currently Chairman of the ETTA High email: [email protected] must have been born on or A player entering Under 10 Performance Coach Education Focus after 2nd January 1988. events must have been born on Group. Furthermore, he has been or after 2nd January 1993. very active in football as Manager of NEXT ISSUE OF It will now be necessary for us Reading Schools FA under 12/13/14 TABLE TENNIS NEWS to expand our Under 10, I I, 12 Under 21 and Veteran age limits and 15 teams and Recruitment Championships by adding have not been changed. The Officer for Reading FC Academy, and NOVEMBER 2002 Under 13 events. qualifying date is COpy DATE IS 30th June 2002. still holds the Berkshire Schools FA Under 13 events County Secretary and Reading School I st OCTOBER 2002 A player entering Under 13 Keith Ponting FA Team Manager posts. SEE PAGE 30 FOR ALL events must have been born on Vice-Chairman (Competitions) The Torch Trophy Trust was OF THIS SEASON'S or after 2nd January 1990. August 2002 founded in 1962 by the late COpy DATES Coo1mander Bill Collins, the TTN • 2002 FROM 7HE CHAIR by Alan Ransome

Alan Ransome OBE, Chairman of the ETTA

the Mixed Doubles when Matthew Syed and Katy Parker reached the quarter finals to play the top rated Singapore pair. After a good contest, Duan and Li jai Wei won through and went on to win the . An important part of the boost was the television coverage by the BBC who had a full camera crew present throughout the ten days of play and broadcast many hours of coverage on the new BBC Digital service including a number of full matches in the team events. The amount of coverage on the main BBC channel was good although not as extensive as we might have hoped. In particular the Men's Doubles win THE EARL and COUNTESS OF WESSEX, PRINCE EDWARD and his wife SOPHIE, meet KAREN for Gareth Herbert and Andrew TONGE the Competition Manage~ and the ETTA Chairman ALAN RANSOME. Baggaley received extensive coverage of both the semi final Table tennis received a ma.jor singles to clinch the medal was also a big success for table and final matches and Matthew boost from being part of the position. From that point the tennis and produced some Syed's interview with Steve Rider Commonwealth Games which victories becan1e easier. A3- 1 excellent matches. Sue Gilroy of on BBC 1 following the Highlights took place in Manchester win over with Gareth Yorkshire was a worthy winner of the team victory was very from 25 July until 4th August, Herbert in his best form for over beating Alette Moll of South positive for the sport. with the England team a year to beat the Indian No 1, Africa comfortably in the final The television coverage was winning three Gold Medals Chetan Baboor, and then in the and team mate, Cathy Mitton, broadcast to all 72 and the sport enjoying the final England beat the winners of also of Yorkshire, in the semi. Commonwealth countries which biggest publicity boost for the last Commonwealth In the Men's Singles England's spilled over into several other more than twenty-five years. Championships Men's Team real chances of a fourth Gold countries, particularly in Asia, Winning gold Medals in event, Nigeria 3- O. Again Gareth ended when disappointing results The presentation of the table Commonwealth table tennis Herbert was in great form beating followed an unhelpful draw. tennis was applauded by all. The events today is no easy task the eventual singles Gold Three English players, Matthew look of the show courts, the Therefore, for England to win Medalist, Segun Toriola, and with Syed, Gareth Herbert and Alex precision of the n1edal the Men's Team event, Gareth Alex Perry winning his singles Perry all reached the quarter ceremonies, the introduction of Herbert and Andrew Baggaley to against Nosiru Kazeem in Gold finals. The eventual winner, the participants was all first class lift the Men's Doubles and Sue Medal winning style. Matthew Segun Toriola of Nigeria, excelled and presented the sport in an Gilroy to take the first Wheelchair Syed was a tower of strength in to beat the top seed, Johnny excellent light. Tickets for all the Gold, is a significant achievement. the team event where he was Huang of in the final. sessions were sold out although England's fourth table tennis unbeaten throughout. In the women's events, the this in itself did not guarantee medal also came in the The Men's Doubles was another English players were faced with a that all seats were filled as often wheelchair event when Cathy very exciting win as Gareth and very difficult task as all the top members of the public bought a Mitton won the Bronze. Andrew Baggaley recovered from eight seeds were former Chinese ticket for a full day for a number In the Men's team event our near defeat in the 5th game in nationals. In the Team event a of sports and spent only a few team started nervously both the semi final against the medal looked possible when hours at each. overcoming a potential crisis with Indian pair of Baboor and England beat Malaysia to play The table tennis competition a 3- 2win against Trinidad & Subramanian and again in the New Zealand in the quarter finals. was visited by a large number of Tobago. In the quarter finals the final to beat the gallant Welsh The Li sisters, one of whom won dignitaries, in particular the Earl team also went the full distance duo, of Ryan Jenkins and Adam the gold Medal in the women's and Countess of Wessex, Prince with and relied on Robertson. singles, proved too strong. Edward and his wife Sophie, the Matthew Syed winning two The inclusion of the EAD events Another medal looked possible in Duchess of Gloucester who • S FROM 7HE CHAIR - 2 presented the medals for the the Referee. Embling reached the last 16 of positive effect at schools level. Women's Team event, The support that we received the girls singles. The cadet boys accompanied by the Duke of throughout from Manchester with under 12's Paul Drinkhall VOLUNTEER Gloucester. The Deputy Prime 2002 was first class with Karen and Darius Knight, performed Minister, John Prescott, with Nigel Tonge as Competition Manager well and' improved their position RECRUITMENT Griffiths MP from the and with Brian Stocks, Wendy one place to 21st. Adam Bleakley Following the enormous success Department of Trade and Walker and Peter Knowles all did well in the singles to reach of the volunteer programme for Industry, the Minister of Sport, playing a very important part in the last 16. the Commonwealth Games in Richard Caborn MP, the President the success of table tennis at the The view of the coaches was Manchester, Sport England are of the Commonwealth Games Games. that the team would have embarking on a major campaign Council for England Sir The next possible opportunity produced much better results if to encourage more volunteering Christopher Chataway, the for an event of similar stature in they had been able to clinch 3 or in sport at local level. The ETTA Chairman of Sport England England is the possible London 4 vital very close matches and are participating in these Trevor Brooking, the Lottery bid for the in that the potential for future initiatives by holding a series of Chairman Bridget Simmons and 2012 which is currently under success is good. regional conferences to the Head of Lottery, David consideration by the BOA .There encourage county associations, Carpenter, BOA Chairman Craig is no doubt that involvement in WORLD local leagues and clubs to embark Reedie, CCPR Chairman, Howard the Commonwealth Games build on volunteer training and Wells and Chief Executive, up and the Games themselves has SCHOOLS EVENT recruitment programmes. Margaret Talbot, plus a been very valuable to table tennis With several of the same players Talking to many county and procession of government and if the BOA and the competing, the English Schools local officials throughout the ministers and sports chiefs from Government can be persuaded to teams participated in the country one of the main concerns other Commonwealth countries. bid for London 2012 this will International Schools' Federation that I hear is that too much of the The Protocol Team at the table provide a further boost for our World Schools event in Slovakia work falls on too few shoulders tennis event were certainly kept sport. As the table tennis and gained very credible results. and that local expansion is limited very busy and did an excellent job representative on the BOA, I am The boys' team with Craig Bryant, by the number of people who for us. doing all that I can so far to Bryn Drinkhall, Tim Yarnell and are willing to undertake the work. Manchester was the debut for encourage the BOA to bid for the Stephen Denny finished 6th, These conferences are aimed at table tennis in the Olympics. The main factor in the whilst the girls with Kate Steward, promoting programmes that Commonwealth Games and this BOA decision to bid will be the Georgina Walker, Joanna Parker encourage the recruitment of gave us a clean sheet of paper on level of investment that the and Kelly Sibley, all of whom more volunteers from within the which to design the event. Government and London are were in Moscow, finished 4th. In table tennis community and to Overall the competition was very prepared to commit. the individual schools' event, develop programmes to recruit successful. The entry from over Peniel girls finished 6th and the from outside. Following these twenty countries in the team EUROPEAN boys 12th. 's domination of conferences for coaches, events and almost 30 in the the competition was broken by development officers, umpires, individual events was very YOUTH Chinese Taipei who took gold in .referees and tournament credible. The look, presentations Shortly before the the boys' team event. organisers are due to take place and perception was first class and Commonwealth Games the Other good news from the in each region, local leagues and this will have helped table tennis European Youth Championships English Schools' Table Tennis clubs will be encouraged to to stay in the Games in future were played in Moscow where the Association was presented by identify people within their years. We are already guaranteed young England team showed their Chairman, John Blackband, organisation who can benefit. a position with a similar some overall improvement at the last meeting of National The first of the conferences is to programme in , compared with the previous year. Council. John reported an be held on 15th September in the Australia in 2006 and approaches In the team events the best increase of one in the number of West Midlands at Wolverhampton that I made to officials from performance came from Katy affiliated counties up to 42 with University, Walsall Campus. bidding nations, Singapore, India Parker who was unbeaten with Oxfordshire and Tyne &Wear re­ Other conferences are and Canada indicate that table ten wins from 10 matches. The affiliating. In the national team scheduled as follows: tennis will be included in 2010 if girls improved their European finals 39 counties entered the Northern Region 28 September their bid is successful. ranking from 18 to 14 and came competition compared with 37 in London Region 5 October Outstanding at the event was close to a top 8 position when the previous year, of which 35 South East Region 6 October the performance and attitude of they had two match points had at least one team in the North West Region27 October the VOLliNTEERS, both from against Sweden for a place in the regional final stage against 26 last Eastern Region 2 November table tennis and from the general quarter finals. The junior boys year. 79 schools took part at the East Midlands 3 November public. They received plaudits were unable to maintain their regional final stage compared South West Region8 December from many quarters and I am improved ranking from last year with 61 last year. In the finals 14 Yorkshire Region TBA certainly pleased to add my of eight falling into 16th place. counties were represented as Further information regarding congratulations and thanks to Dale Barham and Matthew against 11 in 2001. these conferences will be them all. They were challenged Kenney came closest to winning a The individual championships circulated to all counties, local with matching the exceptional medal in the boys doubles were also well supported with 40 leagues and Premier clubs. Details standard set in and did so reaching the quarter finals. out of the 42 counties can also be obtained from Sheila with aplomb. Our table tennis The cadet girls improved their represented. The winners were King in the Development TECHNICAL OFFICIALS also did a position by one place from last also well distributed amongst the Department of the ETTA in first class job with Colin Clemett year up to 12th after losing their counties. It is encouraging to see Hastings. as the International Technical last two matches to Hungary and that the joint work of the English Alan Ransome Delegate and Richard Scruton as Poland both by 3- 2. Abigail Schools and the ETTA is having a E1TA Chairman LE,.,.ERS ,.0 ,.HE EDI,.OR

"achieved" at a cost of several millions of EXPEDITE public lottery money since 1997. In your answer to "Thai" and in Brian Memories are short, but such Hallidays report on p15 of the latest distortions that "I was in charge when the magazine, it says that the expedite system ETTA coaching dept. was dismantled in came into operation in the the late 80's" really test new barriers of game between Hakansson and Wosik at venom and ignorance. The department 16-15. The report goes on to was certainly reorganised. Don Parker say that the law has recently been was appointed Director of Coaching as amended so that expedite is not well as National Team Manager in the introduced if the score is greater than 9­ manner also adopted by the F.A. (at the 9, but this is not so. I would refer you to time when Bobby Robson filled both paragraph 2.15.1 of the 2001 ITTF functions). He was assisted by his wife, Handbook, where you will see that this the former European Champion Jill provision was incorporated at the same Hammersley and he chose coaches like time as the change from 21-point to 11­ Derek Marples and Kevin Satchell to point games. If expedite was introduced assist him on certain occasions. at 16-15 in this game it was quite wrong, We retained 9 "centres of excellence" and I'n1 surprised no-one objected. all over the country which cost quite a lot Colin Clemett of money, where juniors could practice ITFF once a week under qualified coaches. All eggs were not put in the basket of one "academy". It was our view that we had SUPERMAN? emerged with a better and more effective IN response to D.Berriman's letter scheme. All such decisions were, of published in TTN issue 286 I wish to course, endorsed by democratic votes in make the following brief and non­ national Council and Management personal comments. Committee (of which Alan Ransome was I am the National Councillor for also a merrlber). Bedfordshire and produce written I was, I think, the first ETTA Chairman reports for my county meetings, which who was also a qualified coach, who Dave now admits was an oversight by coached both league and international him. juniors, among the latter one who won I am surprised that Dave considers I the European junior singles title. would find it a problem attending In short, it was in many ways a golden meetings and taking part in table tennis age, particularly in the light of what tournaments, he states I am "Superman" followed. This has been, in the main, the and hence could "fly" from place to "academy" which has existed since 1997 place. and has not lived up to our best hopes. I Seriously though, I an1 disappointed judge on results. that TTN can publish such incorrect facts Last year our junior boys finished 8th, when they know I am the National our girls 18th, our cadet boys 22nd, our Councillor for my County. I hope that in cadet girls 13th in the European Youth the run up to the 2003 Election for Championships. Chairman of the ETTA all candidates will The seniors fared similarly, our men be given equal space in TTN and the ending in 16th place, our women in 25th. agenda used will be about the issues of By the end of the first full day all our 10 the future of Table Tennis in England not players had been eliminated from the attempts to discredit anyone person. singles. if I were still chairman, I would Alex Murdoch indeed ask some stern questions about Letchworth, Herts. such truly awful results. Instead of action, from time to time fresh Berrimans are paraded before an incredulous "SAVAGED BY A membership pretending that all is well and that only the "awful Prean" and his DEAD SHEEP" "poison pen" are clouding an otherwise I DON'T know Dave Berriman who tells brilliant horizon. us he felt "enraged by my factual article I like our n1errlbers to have the facts, in 'Sportbreak'. He does not know me. but in personal tern1S it is no problem to Since he questions my record as be "savaged by dead sheep" to quote Chairman of the ETTA (1966-91), let me Winston Churchill and Lord Healey. be brief: when I arrived, the Association Where I do draw the line, however, is in was in overdraft and near bankruptcy. the further nonsense levelled at Alex When I left, the bank account showed a Murdoch, who is standing for the post of plus of £429,000. Our international teams ETTA Chairn1an. It seems to offend were regular medal winners, as indeed "Lifelong Table Tennis fanatic" Berrin1an they had been under my predecessor. In that Alex actually plays our game and the same time span we won "medals clearly enjoys this. I hope I am wrong, galore" in Junior Europe. This was done but be seems to think that this is not on a shoestring. Current poor results are continued on page 8 LE,.,.ERS,.O ,.HE EDI,.OR coni;lInued continuedfrom page 7 (leaving aside the issue of late nights) of the spin, but if the reason for this was their charges playing against wily that the rule does not change until next what the game is about, rather to sit in veterans of hugely different styles and I season then I think son1e players have endless committees, which is how all too suspect I may be the in the minority of some work to do this summer. many now see the sport and which has those who advocate their entry into adult Agood games for English Table Tennis cost the merrlbers £57,000 in "committee Leagues at the age of sixteen, by when y, lets hope it can be used to promote the costs" last year. Personally, I find Alex girl or boy friends, and other widening sport. Murdoch's enthusiasm both refreshing interests will result in many leaving the LesMaple and inspiring. I have talked to a lot of sport, but I think the "fall-out" goes Ashford, Kent people who know him well and none beyond that. Editor's Note: With regard to your have ever said a bad thing about him. He Basically is an evening's weekly table comn1ents on the new service not be in is respected for his energy, administrative tennis is regarded as an attractive pastime evidence at the Commonwealth Games, talents and love of the game. for young and even young middle aged was because the new rule only becomes ]ohnPrean adults at local level (whether or not law on the 1st September 2002. The new Chairman ETTA 1986 -91 11up)? Who is prepared to learn how to GOOD GAMES rule is fully explained by Colin Clemett of Isle ofWight Coaching Administrator deal with all the different styles? "Is table HOPEFULLY the excellent results in the the ITTF, on page 18 of this issue. National Councillor. tennis -cool"? Who wants to play against team and the Mens Doubles at the the crafty old grandad generation, who Commonwealth Games will give a much still love the game? "Is clubbing" needed boost to our sport, although I felt TERRESTRIAL SHORTER altogether more attractive? Who thinks the television coverage was not as good I AM writing to express my that to play local League for fifty years as was given to other fringe sports such disappointment at the meagre coverage EVENINGS & LESS like me is (a) great or (b) daft? as Badminton and Hockey. I am of table tennis on terrestrial TV, at the The old social scene of an evening out fortunate enough to have cable television Commonwealth Games. (There may have MATCHES? playing, with a pint or two, and friendly and we were provided with four extra been n10re than I saw, because it was I READ with interest John Prean's Isle of updating chat with the opposition, and channels all the while BBC were showing hard to pinpoint screening). Wight 'County Notes' column in the with younger players aspiring to the gan1es and was able to see extended AT the other extreme we had athletics June;July issue, particularly his comments becoming part of that scene, has been coverage of the n1en's team event and with a vast amount of discussion and re­ regarding falling numbers in local disappearing for years, and is part of a the men's doubles events. Without runs (I used my video and watched it in Leagues, the problems of attracting national social trend amongst other stirring up the debate on 11 up I do have half the time). Also swimming went on young players, late nights, and his sports in which I am involved. to say that the decision to change the and on! proposals for shorter evenings, less I don't have the answers, but I suspect scoring system does seems to have been Table tennis is said to the world's matches, llup, etc. the questions go way beyond those at Vindicated, judging by the way the largest indoor sport. Even in the UK I At present local table tennis, in my present being raised in Table Tennis spectators reacted with each set getting believe it is much bigger than popularly experience, involves a n1ajority of keen News, and we may well be kidding to an early climax. What was supposed. Total number of players are "50 plus" players who enjoy local league ourselves if we think that 11p or shorter disappointing was the service rule change generally taken from league registration. play. Then there are various junior evenings are going to provide much of an or did I miss something here as I could Allowing for the fact that even in coaching and tournament arrangements answer. see little evidence of the change to that Somerset we have six Town leagues for youngsters from age 8 upwards. ]ohnKnock rule at these games. Servers were still (compared to one squash County Coaches' views vary on the desirability Tonbridge, Kent able to hide the ball and thus disguise league), this is the tip of the iceberg. In our small town of Bridgwater (population 30,000), we have 19 school ETTA E-MAIL ADDRESSES and youth table tennis clubs with almost 400 school age players. Hardly any are Headquarters Staff registered. Richard Yule, Chief Executive [email protected] On filming, if I may make a constructive Robert Sinclair, General Secretary [email protected] point, would it not be an idea to have a Doreen Nightingale,Administrative Officer [email protected] roving camera at tournaments - "We are Sheila King, Development Secretary [email protected] now going to court No...., where the Susie Foley, Secretary to Chief Executive [email protected] No.1 seed..... , is only one game away & General Secretary from being knocked out"? This would Yanda Jones, National Events Administrator [email protected] make exciting viewing. Judy Rogers, National Development Officer [email protected] for People with Disabilities I an1 very glad that wheelchair table Harvey Webb, National Events Manager [email protected] tennis was shown, it was one of the great Irene Mitchell, Teaching & Training moments. Administrator [email protected] I sent the above letter to the BBC Brian Skinner, Finance Officer [email protected] Comments Dept., PO Box 1922, Glasgow Ken Muhr, Information Officer [email protected] G233WT Diccon Gray, Director of Development [email protected] I hope it will encourage others to write Brian Spicer, Commercial Manager [email protected] askingfor more (and more creative) Outside Headquarters Terrestrial TV IT. Having said that what ROOs Home Business I did see was not specially entertaining Wesley Bush-Harris (jor non TT enthusiasts anyway) - mostly South & South East [email protected] [email protected] third ball attack. I doubt whether the Martin Ireland new service rule will have a dramatic North West [email protected] effect any more than the new size ball. Chris Newton Surely it is not beyond the wit of(IT) Midlands chrisnewton@etta6214. freeserve.co.uk [email protected] man to come up with a radical solution Jon Kaufman (short ofreverting to Dunlop Barna's Greater London jonk@U'fman.fsnet.co.uk with pimples out) that will bring back Philip Irwin-Brown rallies! South West [email protected] Les Bridges Teaching and Training Home Business Bridgwater, Somerset Peter Hirst, Dir. of Teaching and Training [email protected] Paul Baker, Facilities Officer [email protected] National Training Centre Soren Ahlen, Performance Director [email protected] Jill Parker, Nat. Coaching Manager [email protected] COVER S,.ORY

AS all readers will now know, English players who did not do so England were victorious in three well. Terry Young was distraught events • the mens teams, mens over the decision not to seed himself doubles and the womens and Alex Perry at the top following wheelchair toumament. The their win in . Soren Ahlen, medal tally for the benefit of now back in Sweden, protested to Richard Scmton (referee) was the jury but the English protest was three, for the benefit of the over-ruled on the grounds that the media, it was eight medals, three Commonwealth Games overall ruling for the mens team event, two for body preferred to use the current the doubles and one for the world ranking lists when choosing superb Sue Gilroy in her the seeds. wheelchair on the last day, This was another example of our writes John Woodford. The three England men who exceeded our expectations were Gareth Herbert (my first choice as my man of the Games), Andrew Baggaley and Alex Perry. Perhaps we were expecting too much of our icon Matthew Syed. It was our greatest disappointment when he was defeated 4-2 in the mens singles quarters by Singapore's Duan Yong Jun; especially after Matthew brought hin1 down in Singapore. Matthew's commitments are so extensive that in the media centre some of us were fearful that table tennis top people Hserving" he might buckle eventually following under two Big Brothers - the main the introduction of the larger ball, technique that his returns now are in organisation and the BBC who the change of scoring and changing some cases higher and often shorter covered quite a fair amount of table his bat and the time he spends in than they were in the days of the tennis although their timing of some Japan, not to mention all the small ball. of the matches was not ideal. travelling between continents. The best seli-out crowds - 1,500 Another huge factor is the amount ENGLISH seats - were present during the day, of energy he uses up, dashing fronl right through to the 4pm matches. one corner of the court to the other, PROTEST The worst blunder I found, was that when the ball is getting higher and Apart from Steen Hansen's distress some key matches were run as late as higher for his opponents to smash. signals on some of the performances 9pm in the evening - fans who had There is general agreement of the women's team, I am not been there all day were on their way amongst those who study his engaging in any comment on the home fearful of clashing with 38,000 fans leaving the main stadium who had been watching the athletics and rugger. Once again my campaign is high­ lighted to get organisers to run top mens and womens singles matches in the late afternoon and not late at night. It is now happening in on the British Grand Prix circuit -around 200 people can see the finals at tea­ time, again, by 9pn1 they want to be either at home or on the way. MOMENTS OF GLORY Back to Manchester. The womens team moments of glory came when they beat Malaysia in a group qualifier, whilst Helen Lower had a fierce battle before losing to the winner L1 Chunli. The three Parker, Kate Steward CONNONWEAL,.H GANES 1001 and Georgina Walker all put in useful greatest reward was meeting shows in their singles groups but did members of the Royal Family. In due not qualify. Katy and Matthew Syed course, Karen could qualify for the stormed into the quarter-finals of the 'Lifetime Achievement Award', but at mixed doubles before going under to the moment she must be too young! Duan YongJun and LiJia Wei from Singapore. It was glory all the way for THE BIG ROW our mens team, especially Gareth DURING my half century of writing Herbert who is now playing for a about our sport, I think this was the club in Salzburg, Austria, Andrew biggest and most widely reported Baggaley the England champion and explosion" I can recall, writes John on his 27th birthday Alex Perry who Woodford. secured England's incredible 3-0 win Within hours the story was in the mens team final over Nigeria. circulated around the world even in Alex Perry was thrown into the air the Daily Telegraph in Australia. It by his team-mates prior to the victory was so massive an eruption that my ceremony and Land of Hope and Daily Telegraph colleague Brendan Glory ! Gallagher was called in to write some Possibly the biggest shock of the 400 words whilst I concentrated on entire tournament was conjured up the table tennis. by the womens singles winner Li Johnny Huang (Canada) was furious Chunli, aged 40 from New Zealand. "I with Adam Robertson for not practice almost every day with acknowledging that his service in the Japanese men" she told journalists. third game had not landed on the Her final victim was over the world correct side of the centre line. No.10 no less - top seed - Wei We can all voice our opinions in aged 20 from Singapore. She hindsight of course. What is clear is appeared humiliated as she received that Adam's service must have been her silver medal. very, very close to the centre line. The tournament was almost Match Umpire Bill Moran will never dominated by women of Chinese admit this of course - his best plan of origin -best example was the mixed action would have been to have doubles quarters -six Chinese called a let. As I write, he is no doubt players from eight! preparing to write to "Table Tennis Final look at the completed mens News" to oppose my theory. It was singles -Andrew Baggaley lost to­ his decision and his alone, he did not Huang 4-0, leaving three England for one moment anticipate the men in the quarters - Syed losing to consequences of allowing the point Duan (4-2), Perry losing to Toriola to stand in favour or Robertson and (4-1) and Chetan Baboor stopping Ryan Jenkins. Gareth Herbert 4-1. What was so important, after Huang Alnl0st predictably, the four semi­ had clashed with an umpire over finalists were Huang v Baboor, throwing his service back and not up Toriola v Duan. Huang stopped in an earlier match, was that here Baboor (4-1) and Toriola surprised was a British umpire giving a very us all by defeating Duan. dodgy decision in favour of a British Toriola won the final 4-2 with the player - that fact fanned the flames of scores 3-11,11-9,6-11,11-7,12-10, the conflict. 11-9, as Huang gradually tired feeling Huang's reactions could have led to his twelve years older than the man a charge of bringing the sport into from Nigeria. The Nigerians in the disrepute. The referees discussed the issue, but it would have been a case crowd then went berserk -it was all of having to contact one of the two, over, Gameswise, until Melbourne in Big Brothers - the Commonwealth 2006. Games top organisation. • THE overall view is that England Johnny Huang is a man of vast had a very good tournament, experience. At the age of 40 I doubt including the eighth gold medal for if he will carry on playing at this level gallant Sue Gilroy from Yorkshire and above for much longer, he is who won the wheelchair event from already claiming fatigue late in the South African Allette Moll. matches, hardly surprising at 40. I filed three pieces on Sue Gilroy, Last call on the dispute from Barry but being on the end of my copy, the Robertson, Adam's father: "There words did not see the light of day. was a lot of name-calling and • MANCHESTER hosted the Games swearing in this match. There are a admirably. Table tennis was lucky to lot of points that go against you. You be a part of it, but I realise that a just have to get on with it." great deal of hard graft was needed Ryan Jenkins said "Both Adam and I to get in by ErrAtop brass and that thought the ball was in -we are a great mountain of work was done honest players, though it means we by Karen Tonge from the ETTA have won medals, it has taken the Management Committee, whose shine off it" . I I CONNONWEAL,.H GANES 2002

PRESS ROOMS at major toumaments are very busy places. At the Commonwealth Games in Manchester there is a staff of nine to look after joumalists and photographers from all over the world. The phones rarely stop and our squad deal with a steady stream of table tennis questions and topics. We live a sort of hermit type existence for anything from 8 to 14 hours. We all get by on a mixture of adrenaline and camaraderie, liberally laced with humour · even with some of our more difficult guests. The following notes, unexpurgated, were made on a daily basis, and I hope convey some of the incidents, problems, and excitements we all off England men in the first match. had been seeded 1. All based on faced. Andrew Baggaley comes to our ranking I was told but frankly the Aview from rescue and we are off and running. logic of it all escaped me. Anyway Thursday 25th July: Opening the All a little too close for future Soren lodged a complaint and a jury Ceremony good. Offered ticket at complacency, nevertheless there is a had to decide on the rights and £75 so watched it all on TV. Men Press Room real confidence within the squad. wrongs of it all. ITTF instructions look sharp and up for it all- a Matt Syed drafted in against Northern adhered to and complaint overruled. marked contrast to our disappointing by Brian Ireland. Good 3-0 win and another I felt sympathy for Terry and Alex. campaign. Jinl Beckley, who 3-0 win over Barbados by the Two Sunday papers produced leads the Press team spots unclaimed Halliday women. photographs of our Royal visitors bag in Press Office - results in major with accompanying copy which bomb scare. Police and SAS men Saturday 27th July: Superb was journalistic clap trap at its worst, turn up in force, but eventually bag very good chance as she has trained performance by Nicola Deaton in fact it was all mischievous claimed by rather sheepish BBC very hard. against Malaysia ably backed up by and quite untrue. Still I suppose this man. Katy Parker. This opens up the draw tabloid rubbish sells newspapers. Meet old friend from India visit, Li Friday 26th July: The quaintly no end and England could get Large crowd get maxinlum value as a Chunli. Ask her if she will win the named Dexter St Louis causes missed among the medals here. This Matt Syed rescue act sees England singles this time. She says she has heartbeats all round as he takes two afternoon Karen Tonge attempted squeeze out a win over Australia. His instruction in the intricacies of the win over the all too aggressive Lavalle sport to Prince Edward and was cause for celebration all round. the Countess of Wessex. Whether 3-2 to England. the Competition Manager managed to recruit Royalty to our cause I was Monday 29th July: Weather still unable to ascertain. Good coverage very hot. Wonderful womens final of the whole of the Malaysia match where Li Chunli, that chunky on TV. Men see off Wales little powerhouse beats World No 9 surprisingly easily, but Canada LiJia Wei - maybe a pointer to the repeated their New Delhi win over singles later. Chunli is a remarkable the English women. Generally a very 40 year old (come back Alison good day - the signs look promising. Gordon). Mens semi-final and again Matt Syed led the team by example. Sunday 28th July: New Zealand Baboor who lost 26-28 in the fifth in won the pre match mind game with India again had to give second best, England women. They threw their not only to the inspired Syed but No 2 player in at No 3 against Katy also to Gareth Herbert who has re­ Parker and the ploy won the day. discovered his Japanese form of Li Chunli won her two sets although last year. Terry Young completed a Helen Lower took her to a fifth victorious Kingfisher (sorry I mean game. So the chances of a bronze England) trio. medal had disappeared. Major Personalities here today included controversy in the draw for the mens Paul Day, Des Douglas, Mandy doubles. Soren Allien objected, Sainsbury, Melodi Ludi, and quite rightly I thought, that Jeff Ingber. defending Gold medallists Terry Young and Alex Perry were only Tuesday 30th July: The mens final seeded 5when the defeated finalists and what a comprehensive triumph I • tlAMCHES,.ER

it turned out to be. Commitment and Two breathtaking mens doubles go team spirit was awesome as England right to the wire, Baggaley and simply romped hon1e 3-0 over Herbert saving two match points to Nigeria. ease through. The n1agic of a truly Gareth continued where he left off remarkable win over the No 1 yesterday with a win over Segun Indian pair was captured in its Toriola. entirety on lV. Alex Perry wrapped it all up in the third match - and all on his 27th Saturday 3rd August: A pretty de­ birthday. Matt has now 11 wins from Pressed Room as all three 11 starts and is rapidly becoming one Englishmen go out at the quarter of England's all time best. Press final stage. All three of their Room working overtime as home opponents played clever tactical success means more column inches. games and this time our guys were found wanting. Then the sun came Wednesday 31st]uly: Very out. mundane day with a load of Has there ever been a better mens qualifying matches. doubles final? English and Welsh Not too impressed by the President supporters at fever pitch. of a visiting Association who nicked Gareth and Andrew just about kept all our sponsors free chocolates their nerve in the deciding game to supplied to the Press Room. come through 17-15. 1-5 An offer by the lady in the student and 5-9 down, three match points accommodation flat opposite to wash saved. What a battle with much my official games shirts was gratefully credit going to Robertson and accepted. TT people can be so Jenkins for contributing to a pleasant. magnificent match with huge expertise and sportsmanship. The Thursday 1st August: Heavens noise generated by the full house of open up and its torrential all day. spectators took me back to the More name dropping as Trevor matches in the 1950s and 60s. It Brooking, John Prescott all pay us a really was that good. visit. Racing man Brough Scott Singapore pair win ladies doubles. borrows umbrella - will we see it again? England women have difficult Sunday 4th August: Last day and day with only sporadic success. table tennis has played its part in a Mens doubles successes. massive success story. Everyone has a smile on their face. Friday 2nd August: Major story in The doubters, the whingers, the Press Room as Canada's Johnny moaners have been routed. Huang lives up to a somewhat Again some cracking finals. Toriola controversial reputation by walking tore up the form book beating off in his doubles match with Welsh Huang. pair Robertson and Jenkins. Terrific match with the penultimate Journalists get excited as all sorts of point bringing a shot of pure quotes concerning "cheats", "biased brilliance from the Nigerian that umpires" etc., are tossed around like brought the house down. Huang confetti. I thought that the volatile called time out -returned to the Huang should have been thrown out table and promptly served of the tournament and felt off. In a way some sort of justice had desperately sorry for the Welsh pair. been served. Second shock was Gareth Herbert continues in when Chunli accounted for World sparkling form taking out Robertson No 9 Li Jia Wei from Singapore. in the singles. Deaton and Lower Tremendous advert for the older both miss out in the womens brigade. The New Zealander was counterpart event. superb. Sue Gilroy won the Gold in the HISTORY OF THE wheelchair event with Cathy Mitton COMMONVVEALTH winning Bronze. The disabled TABLETENNIS events created much interest and FEDERATION support, and the decision to give the 1971-2001 athletes equal standing with For anyone interested in their able bodied counterparts is to purchasing a copy, which be applauded. was published in time for the Commonwealth Games We never did get that brolly returned in Manchester, a few copies -well it did rain rather a lot in are available for general sale Manchester -but we did mange to at £ I 0.00 each plus secure a sort of duplicate from the postage. Please contact Jose BBC! Ransome c/o the ETTA Office in Hastings s .,HE XYII CONNONWEAL.,H GANES

WE'VE been hearing it for honestly expect us to believe that weeks these games are Prince Edward's opinions would alter known as the "Friendly Games" the BBC schedules? On the other and are the epitome of hand was there any coverage of the everything that is good in sport. 50km walk? The burning question was I have to have a gripe about a whether a ron-down area of Sporting event somewhere and mine Manchester was up to staging a concerns the price of the tickets. On major sporting event after some days the morning Athletics Britain had pulled out of hosting sessions cost the same as the evening the 2005 World Athletics ones. In view of the fact that the Championships at Picketts Lock morning sessions only included heats and remain incapable of even (and the elite athletes often had to deciding where a National Sports do little more than go through the Stadium should be built, writes motions) I can't see how this can Steve Kerns. justify the same cost as an evening With 17 spans and 3,500 session which of course contained competitors to cater for Manchester finals. This is rather exploiting those had set themselves a challenge of the people who haven't been to an highest order and though some Athletics Championships before. sports did have to be held further Nevertheless there are some really afield it is fair to say that our great memories. Thanks Manchester. Northern friends have coped magnificently. The friendliness of the Manchester people, the beautiful cleanliness of the City, the sheer Wor-cls by bonus, the Table Tennis event was number of shuttle buses to and from STE\lE KERNS held on the same site as the "Sports City", the record size of the Athletics. My two favourite Sports crowds, the crowd's support and staged within 100 metres of each genuine enthusiasm for all feet in an event that many people other !. competitors, the complete lack of previously didn't even know existed. These trips always produce the odd trouble and violence of any But perhaps the moment of the incident to savour and these are just description and the army of 30,000 Games came in the last event, an a couple of them : often unpaid volunteers really made extraordinary Mens 4x400 metres (1) Steve managed to convince a this event a Games to remember. relay. Wales's Matt Elias the Silver couple of "Officials" to give him a From an Athletics perspective Medalist in the 400 metres hurdles complementary ticket to the Table Britain's haul of 12 Gold medals will came within a hundredth of a second Tennis and one of those officials take some beating and you have to of snatching the Gold Medal from politely asked Lee would he like to feel a little sorry for those athletes.To England's Danny Caines after running come along as well. Lee replies "Well try and pick themselves up for the an astonishing 44.1 second final leg. actually I'd prefer to go shopping European Championships next week What a race. I'm still hoarse three with the wife" ...... Steve is left feeling and repeat this feat will be nigh on days later !. more than slightly red-faced after impossible. The highlights for the UK Thanks to Lesley and Lee later explaining to Lee that he has - 's world class display Richardson for arranging the just refused tickets from the in the 5,000 metres, Ashia Hansen's accommodation and tickets. I had Chairman and Chief Executive of the last gasp win in the Triple Jump, forgotten just how much I enjoy a English Table Tennis Association! In ditto the Mens Gold medal in the major games. Lesley also arranged fairness Lee did actually visit Table 4x100 metres relay. The least accommodation for Bob Smith, the Tennis a couple of days later and expected victory -surely Mike East's Team Manager of Newham &Essex paid for the privilege of doing so !. stirring triumph in the Mens 1,500 Beagles British League Track & Field Perhaps he felt guilty? metres after Tony Whiteman had set team. One assumes he was able to (2) We're sitting quietly in a pub and the race up for him by breaking with "fly" home with his head in the some "nutter" from Inverness starts 200 metres to go. And didn't the clouds after his athlete's superb win moaning to us that BBC weren't able British Ladies do well, the Great in that Mens 1,500 metres. And we to show much of the 50km walk Britain 1-2-3 in the Ladies 1,500 also hope ex-ELR Ken Adams enjoyed because Prince Edward complained metres was quite exceptional, whilst himself. He certainly appeared to be that the noise of the helicopters was home-girl Lorraine Shaw's Gold doing so when we saw him on the upsetting his viewing. It later medal in the Hammer brought the last night. transpired that this gentleman was a adoring Manchester crowd to their And for me there was an added leading BBC Cameraman but can he I • s tlAMCHES,.ER 1001 THE ENGLAND SQUAD ,.HE XY I I COMMONWEAL,.H GAMES

Gold: TORIOLA Segun Gold: ENGLAND Moses (Nigeria) Silver: NIGERIA Silver: HUANG Johnny Bronze: INDIA (Canada) Bronze: SINGAPORE Bronze: BABOOR Chetan (India) Bronze: DUAN Yong Jun (Singapore) Gold: SINGAPORE Silver: AUSTRALIA Bronze: CANADA Bronze: NEW Gold: LI Chunli (New ZEALAND Zealand) Silver: LI Jia Wei (Singapore) Bronze: TAN Paey Fern Gold: BAGGALEY & Sharon (Singapore) HERBERT (England) Bronze: JIN Jun Hong Silver: ROBERTSON & (Singapore) FINAL MEDALS ,.ABLE JENKINS (Wales) Bronze: Place Country Gold Silver Bronze Total SUBRAMANIAN & I. Singapore 3 I 7 II BABOOR (India) 2. ENGLAND 3 0 I 4 Bronze: DUAN & 3 New Zealand I I 2 4 ZHANG (Singapore) Gold: GILROY Sue (England) 4. Nigeria I I 0 2 Silver: MOLL Allette s. Australia 0 2 2 4 (South Africa) 6. Canada 0 I I 2 DO Bronze: BOYD Joy 7. South Africa 0 I 0 I Gold: JIN & LI (Australia) Wales 0 I 0 I (singapore) Bronze: MITTON 9. India 0 0 3 3 Silver: LI & LI (New Cathy (England) Zealand) Bronze: LAY & MIAO (Australia) Bronze: TAN & ZHANG (Singapore)

Gold: DUAN & LI (Singapore) Silver: CLARKE & LAY (Australia) Bronze: JACKSON & LI (New Zealand) Bronze: ZHANG & JING (Singapore)

WHEELCHAIR MEDALLISTS: CATHY MITTON Bronze (left) and SUE GILROY Gold, with coach Andrew Horsfield • TABLE TENNIS NEWS EXTRA Issue no. 287 September/October 2002

Editorial women s wheelchair singles. She had Darius Knight looks increasingly like a beaten her Yorkshire and England future winner, and his coach, Gideon The most significant happening has been colleague Cathy Mitton in the semi-finals, Ashison, appears to be the coach of the the Manchester Commonwealth Games, Mitton gaining a bronze medal. moment, bringing on cohorts of other and the vibes received at the far distant York Garden, Battersea (and other) kids Hastings office were overwhelmingly The main downside was that our able with the talent and ambition to follow positive, both of the Games as a whole and bodied women did not do as well as Darius. But there are still too few of the table tennis event. Regarding the expected. Although national champion coaches that can help gifted youngsters latter, of course there were some Nicola Deaton excelled in the women s bridge the gap from good local players to organisational hiccups and the England team event in taking 5 out of her 8 singles, challenging for national recognition. The team could have done even better, but including 2 in a great 3-1 team victory over new £7m government programme, Step English table tennis can afford to Malaysia - England junior no. 1 Katy into Sport, concentrating on training a new congratulate itself. The support of the Parker (Preston, Lancashire) won the other generation of volunteer coaches, mostly table tennis was also very good, both in the singles in that match - the squad did not aged 14-19, would seem most opportune. size and enthusiasm of the audience, and take the opportunity of getting a medals the media coverage. place and disappointed in finishing 7th Western governments are getting overall. All the English women went out increasingly concerned about the poor England will be pleased with their early in the singles and women s doubles, physical fitness of their populations. overall playing performance with 3 golds and an evaluation of what went wrong and Thus we have heard about President and 1 bronze medal. The men steam how to rectify it seems certain to follow. Bush s plans to improve his nation s gold was perhaps the most prestigious. However, Katy Parker with Matthew health through sport and exercise. Matthew Syed was unbeaten throughout Syed gave a good mixed doubles showing, Exercise has to be seen as cool, as a way and Gareth Herbert had some outstanding in extending the eventual gold medallists, to a better lifestyle , said president, himself wins (over India s Chetan Baboor in the Duan Yong Jun and Li Jia Wei (Singapore) a committed jogger who wants to see semis and Nigeria Segun Toriola, who was to a deciding game. sporting role models taking a front line role to later claim the singles gold, in the final), in promoting sport and exercise. with Alex Perry, on his 27th birthday, By the time you read this the new service being brought in to record a critical win in law to prevent shielding of the ball will be In England Dr Richard Taylor MP and Dr England s 3-0 finals victory over Nigeria. in force, and it may affect nlost Gareth Ann Redgrave have launched the report The team spirit exhibited by all the Herbert, who has (had?) one of the best 'Saving Lives, Saving Money: Physical England players - Andrew Baggaley and serves in the world, which he used to such activity..the best buy in Public Health 'at Terry Young also played - was excellent deadly effect in Manchester. the House of Commons. This and helped them get through unexpectedly comprehensive new research from the difficult matches against Trinidad and An improvement overall but we should CCPR (www.ccpr.org.uk) analyses the Tobago and Australia - and full credit have done better - we failed to take our plans of former Health Authorities and should go to England Performance opportunities - was the verdict of National Primary Care'Trusts in promoting better Director Soren Ahlen for getting them to Coach Steen Kyst Hansen of the English health through physical activity that in gel and peak at the right time. The father team in the European Youth April 2001 they were required to put into figure of the team, Matthew Syed, Championships in Moscow from 12-21 place. The report claims that, with obesity expressed his delight at this success for July. The junior girl s moved up from 18th alone costing the nation £2.5 billion per Soren, a really nice and genuine guy, and to 14th (an impressive Katy Parker was year and leading to 30,000 premature our loss is his native Sweden s gain ­ unbeaten), but really should have finished deaths, investment in the preventative Ahlen took up a new position in Sweden in the last 8, and the cadet girls went up a health benefits of sport can save both lives immediately following the Games. notch to Ith from 13th last year. The cadet and money. The Government budget for boys also advanced a place from 22nd to health is currently 800 times that for sport. After the disappointment of England s last th 21 st but the junior boys slumped from 8 to A small shift in resources will help re­ 3 men, Syed, Herbert and Perry all going th 18 • The best singles performance was engage an increasingly sedentary out in the men s singles quarter-finals, an Adam Bleakley s in reaching the last 16 of population. Among key recommendations event in which England had had very good the cadet s, and junior boys Dale Barham are that there is improved access to training medal prospects, there was great and Matthew Kenny got the furthest in the for sports bodies working with at risk consolation for Gareth Herbert & doubles (quarter-finals). 12 year old health groups, support for exercise in the Andrew Baggaley in their dramatic, Super kids, Paul Drinkhall and Darius work place and that all school children nerve-wracking, needle-edged (17-15 in Knight, played fantasically but it is too must receive two hours quality physical the fifth) men s doubles finals victory soon for them to do really well. But far education per week, within the curriculum. over Welshmen Adam Robertson and from being outclassed, the frustratingly oft­ This is an opportunity for table tennis Ryan Jenkins. Gutted by his 4 games to repeated story about the English players and we should seriously consider how our 2 loss to Duan Yong Jun (Singapore), his was being too nervous to win from winning sport provides health enhancing exercise. dream of winning the first Commonwealth positions. Games singles title and a record 4th Ken Muhr Commonwealth singles titles shattered, The National Training Centre is Matthew Syed recovered his equilibrium providing our youngsters with the enough to give vociferous support to practice/coaching/training back-up and the Gareth & Andrew a few hours later. The international competitive opportunities that 2001 Commonwealth champions, Alex Ken Muhr would have been undreamt of a few years Perry and Terry Young had fallen in the ago, but it is ultimately down to the players ETTA Information Officer doubles quarter-finals. to take advantage of these opportunities, if they are good enough. Maybe the Centre 29-year-old schoolteacher Sue Gilroy gave is cocooning players from the pressures of Email: England s table tennis squad a 3rd having to win, and they would benefit ­ [email protected] Commonwealth Games gold medal when gain mental toughness - from exposing she comfortably defeated South African themselves more to the do m esti c Alette Moll in the final of the EAD competitive circuit, where they would learn to win when they are expected to win. BEDFORDSHIRE by Peter Clarke based week of work experience at the Army Technical Foundation College Beds contributed two players to the COUNTY in Arborfield. Eastern Region Schools squad The group were introduced to fire competing in the National Regional NOTES drill, first aid, rock climbing, basic Squad Championships against two­ drill, kayaking, raft building, map player teams from the other eight A look around reading, problem solving, field craft regional squads. the Country communal tasks and army Rosie Inzani of Leighton Buzzard organisation and deployments. played for the U14 girls team and They were also joined by their Imandeep Sehrrlbi of Bedford for the Issue no. 287 parents in a visit to the REME U12 boys team. They found the museum and received medals from the opposition tough, but both fought well September/October college for a table tennis tournament and improved over the day s 2002 held during the week. competition. Unfortunately, the Five groups were formed for the Eastern Region finished in last place. table tennis tournament and played on At the British Schools International a round-robin basis, with the held in at the end of June, group met the Queen and the England participants organising and umpiring Hamish Yeung of Bedford played for football squad, and joined all the other each group. England Schools in the U16 boys youngsters in the Finale Tableau in Gold Medallists: Sam Primlove, Kris events. front of the Queen and Prince Philip. Warren, Nicholas Smith, Andrew Playing for the England B team in During their final demonstration Rooney, Lauren Sansten, Matt the team tournament, he was partnered session, much to the delight of Surnlan. by Chris Brown from Devon. In their Melanie and her squad, they received group matches they beat Wales A, a special visit from the Duke of Table Tennis Ace rewards Ireland B and Guernsey, but lost to Edinburgh (Prince Philip). Letters of Reading s best Scotland A. In the semi-final they had thanks were received from the staff of to play Ireland A, who had beaten Bisham Abbey and the Lord Carl Prean, the England international England A in the group. An Lieutenant of Berkshire, Mr Philip star from the Isle of Wight, helped impressive 3-1 win took them through Wroughton J.P. present the trophies when the Reading to the final against England A, who For the OLOP/IMPACTyoung & District Table Tennis Association had beaten Scotland A in the other players the day was a great success held their prize ceremony at Our Lady semi-final. with around 200 from other sports of Peace Club, Earley. In a marvellous final, the match trying out table tennis. Alan Dines score stood at 2-2, with the gold and felt that they had done their schools silver medals to be decided by the (St. Dominic Savio, Woodley, CHESHIRE by Alan Blears final tie between Robert Lemon, Crosfield School and Kendrick Surrey, for the A team and Hamish for School) themselves and table tennis Top billing this month goes to the B team. Although he lost the first proud. The club presented a Buttert1y Stockport veteran Derek Schofield, for two games, Hamish fought back to table tennis table to Bisham Abbey his success in the World Veterans level at 2 games all, before taking and hopes to keep regular contact with Championships in SWItzerland. In the complete control in the fifth to secure the staff at one of England s top sports 070s section Derek came runner-up in victory. Gaining the gold medal for arenas. both singles and doubles, an England B was a splendid climax to a outstanding result, especially as he has most successful season for young only recently returned to serious Hamish. training following injury. Two other Stockport veterans deserve credit: Terry Donlon for BERKSHIRE by John Cunningham reaching the quarter-finals of the men s 070 singles and Doreen Handshake from the Prince Schofield who similarly reached the last eight in both singles and doubles Our Lady of Peace TTC and in the ladies 060s. IMPACT (Institute of Match Play and Coaching Techniques) were Schools Successes invited to represent the sport of Table Tennis at Bisham Abbey in Team/Squad Captain Melanie The English Schools National celebration of the Queen s Golden Farquhar introduces Beryl Individual Championships seem a Jubilee 2002. The club s cadets and Cunningham (Club Treasurer), Alex long time ago now, but Annabelle juniors led by Melanie Farquhar Curran, Rachel Farquhar and the Sorrentino s success in winning the joined over 2000 other youngsters at club s cadet boy player of the year U19 girls title should not go the Berkshire Golden Youth Festival Stephen Ayres, to HRH Prince Philip unheralded. Annabelle has collected a 2002, which turned out to be a the Duke ofEdinburgh few notable scalps in her time ­ fantastic day for all concerned. John including that of a well-known lassie Cunningham, Beryl Cunningham, and from Lancashire named Katy who was Alan Dines organised taster sessions, Youngsters taste table tennis army­ painfully scalped twice - but this was competitions and demonstrations style her first national triumph. throughout the day, supported by the Senior Chaplain Rev. PR Bosher Following this success she was youth of table tennis, who also invited to play for the England A team participated in a whole variety of Youngsters from Wokingham, at the British Schools Home other activities, including bowls, Bracknell and Sandhurst joined a International in Cardiff. Here she won fencing, football and athletics. The party from Tamworth on an activity- the gold medal in the senior girls team event, silver in the doubles and a Michelle Turner also won her CORNWALL: Kate Triscott ­ further gold in the individuals. second trophy of these championships Teacher, Marjons; Graham Reed; Playing for England B Katy when she paired up with fellow Harris Michelle Turner; Janles Martin; Ingham made it a great weekend for Mill clubmate Steve Lobb, who was Matthew Powell; DEVON: Chris Cheshire girls, taking gold in the also picking up his second piece of Brown; Derek Bunch; Jacob Kodicek; doubles, silver in the team and bronze silverware, when they defeated the Ron Jarvis; Neil Sanderson; John on the individuals. North Cornwall pair of Shirley Smith; Alan Spencer; Darren Not to be outdone by the older girls, Luckhurst and Launceston s Graham Stockton; Michelle Barrett Jordyn Layfield won the girls Worth 7, 11, 11 in a tight final. individual event in the British Primary Steve Lobb then went on to capture England Schools International in Schools Championships in Ireland, his third trophy when he won the Wales and Caroline Hallows and Fiona Veterans Singles final, beating Roger Dennett were joint third in the English Jacobs of People s Palace 9, 4, -8, 9. Congratulations to Chris Brown for Schools U11 girls section. The Over 55 Veterans Singles title winning two gold medals, one in the was once again won by People s Boys U 16 individual event and the National VI0/ll/12 Chanlpionships Palace s Bob House, who pushed other for England B in the team event. Blisland s Bill Pope into second place. Shaun Gibbs also had a good Stockport s Caroline Hallows Michelle Turner collected her third weekend, finishing runner-up in the overcame some notable opposition to trophy when she beat Andrew Broad Boys Under 19 Consolation event. reach three semi-finals in this event. of Mount Charles in the Consolation Seeded four at U11, her singles and Singles final 4, 7, -7, -7, 6. National Veterans Championships doubles successes at U 12 were less On the Saturday ofthis table tennis expected. weekend, Chris Brown triumphed in Elaine and Mike Short had a brilliant Another Stockport youngster the Junior Boys Singles final, beating tournament, winning three titles making an impression was Emma People s Palace s Adam Tatlow 6, -7, between thenl. Elaine became ladies Kelly, who while still very 7,7. champion and with her partner, Helen inexperienced took the eventual The Junior Girls was won by Harris Shields, won the ladies doubles title. runner-up Rachel Pilgrim, to five Mill s Lisa Reed, who defeated AnlY She was runner-up with Joe Kennedy games in the U11 s. Burton of Cape Cornwall 10,6, -5, 9. in the mixed doubles. Mike and his Andrew Broad and Adam Tatlow partner, Dave WeIsman, won the were successful in the Junior Doubles men s doubles title. CORNWALL by John Wood final beating Ben Kessell of Penryn and Nick of Torridge -8, -9, 4, 9, 9, County Championships This season s Cornwall County following a seesawing battle. Championships saw some exciting The Junior Teanl event was won by For the coming season Devon will be table tennis at Tregorrick Park Table Chris Brown and Nick Smale of increasing their number of teams to: Tennis Centre in April of this year, Torridge A, who beat Adam Tatlow Seniors - 3, Veterans - 5, Juniors - 4. especially in the Men s Singles and and Jonathan Randall of People s the Under 21 Singles finals, where Palace 4-1. Randall, however, did This will give more opportunities to Adrian Noott of Park narrowly taste success when he defeated Daniel promising juniors. defeated Torridge s outstanding junior Putt of Siblyback in the final of the talent, Chris Brown, in both finals. Cadet Boys Singles 2, 7, 6. Craig Bryant The Men s Singles final saw Brown Amy Burton and Kaye Stenner take the first two games 5 and 10, then contested an all Cape COTIlwall Cadet Craig was part of the England junior Noott with his big booming attack Girls Singles final, which saw Amy team which came 18th in the European fought back to take the crown 7, 10,2. emerge the winner following a keenly Youth Championships in Moscow. In the Under 21 final the early fought battle 5, 9, -4, 11. With his partner Kate Steward he exchanges reversed, with Noott taking Kaye Stenner did bounce back reached the last 16 in the mixed the first two, then Brown battling back though, when she won the final of the doubles. Craig still has two years to take the next two games 7 and 10. Under 12 Girls event, beating nlore as a junior so hopefully he will This final produced a fantastic Hannah Luckhurst of Launceston 2, 5, benefit from the European experience. deciding game, which saw Noott 3. finally emerge triumphant 16-14. The Boys Under 12 Singles title Tamar Cup The Women s Singles trophy was was won by People s Palace s Richard Devon will be hosting this match at won this year by ace defender Kate Harries, when he beat Matthew Okehampton against holders Cornwall AIken of Tregorrick Park, who pushed Trevorrow of St. Ives 9, -5, 6, 5 in the in August. These annual matches are Metherell s super defender Shirley final. good preparation for the coming Luckhurst into second place, in this season. group competition. This year s Men s Doubles title was DEVONSHIRE by John Vincent won by the Harris Mill pairing of ESSEX by Steve Kerns Graham Reed and Steve Lobb, who Coach Education beat surprise finalists from People s GRANT BACK ON TOP! Palace Bob House and Steve Hunt I tutored an ETTA level 2/Teachers three straight 6, 6, 5. Student Coaches Course at the Former County no. 1 Grant Solder Kate AIken won her second trophy Tamarside Community College added a touch of class to an Essex of the day when she teamed up with Premier Club in Plymouth recently Closed Tournament played at BATTS Harris Mill s Michelle Turner, when with a group of 18 including updates. over the May Bank Holiday weekend they won the Women s Doubles final The following coaches were in an event again devoid of many of defeating Shirley Luckhurst and successful: the county s leading senior players. Blislands Sally King 9, 9, -9, 3. From the moment Grant began his knock-up there was little doubt that he was still the man to beat despite the Christopher Baird beat Philip Hartley Harry Walker Player s Player of fact that he has concentrated on 5, -4, 6, -9, 5; U"12 Girls Singles­ the Year Award coaching for the last eight years. Rachel Jamieson beat Jessica Macken Grant had to face the dangerous Ayo 4,4,6. 16-year-old Keiran Lally, the County Ademakinwa in his group but he no. 1 Junior, was this year s winner, a overcame him 3-0 and he beat just reward after a year in which he Ellenborough British League star captained an Essex Junior first team Matthew Spero 3-0 in the quarter­ who, against the odds, retained their final. His semi-final opponent, Keiran Premier Division status. Keiran was a Lally, showed real fortitude as he regular menlber of the De Vere nicked the second game 11-9 but NETTS Senior British League team Grant eased home 3-1 and, although who won promotion from division 2 John Payne took the third game in the (South) behind runaway winners final, Grant closed out 11-8 in the London Progress III. Keiran played fourth end. Ayo had done well to beat magnificently to reach the Men s last year s champion Dave Cole but he Ian Aldridge & Grant Solder with Singles final at the Southend Closed couldn t find a way past an in form EeTTA Veterans Match Secretary and was a treble winner at the Payne. Neil Brierley Chelmsford Closed Tournament with Harlow s Nicole Todd took the successes in the Vnder 21 Singles, ladies title despite losing to Sue Body Junior Boys, Singles and Vnder 17 in her group. This meant that Nicole Doubles. He completed a memorable had to face the hard-hitting Gill Locke year by reaching the Men s Singles in the semi-finals and Sue again in the semi-final at the Essex Closed as well final, she fared much better second as taking the Vnder 21 Singles. tinle around winning 3-0. The junior Friendly and dedicated and willing to events were a personal triumph for the knock-up with all fellow players, he controlled and stylish Sam Cannon is an excellent role model. In typical and the vastly improved Kelly Skeggs modest fashion he paid tribute to the who were both successful at V 14 and Clacton League who gave me so much VI 7 level. Other players to excel encouragement when I was just were Tony Halling who was runner-up starting out. in both of these age groups and took Left-right: Brian Ward, Maureen both the V14 and V17 doubles titles. Jarvis (Corti-Woodcock Award Selected results included: Winner), Brian Brumwell HAMPSHIRE by Jeremy Wilson Men s Singles - Grant Solder beat John Payne 4, 6, -8, 8; Women s The closed season saw one of Singles - Nicole Todd beat Sue Body Corti-Woodcock Memorial Award Ham p s h ire's greatest servants 6, 10, 10; Men s Doubles - G-rant deservedly honoured. Solder/Ian Attridge beat John The County Annual General Meeting Harold .Albery was awarded life Payne/Ayo Ademakinwa 10, 10, 11; is traditionally the occasion where the membership of the Hampshire Table Mixed Doubles Nicole County presents its premier award for Tennis Association ~fter clocking up Todd/Matthew Spero beat George service to sport. This year s winner 30 years as county secretary. Reeves/Gill Locke -4, 8, 12, 11; Over Maureen Jarvis has been involved Virtually every player in the county 40 Men s Singles - John Payne beat with the sport for 35 years and her has benefited from Harold's Ayo Ademakinwa 8, 4, 10; Over 40 involvement in the running of the dedication at one time or another and Men s Doubles - John Payne/Neil closely-knit Becontree League has the honour was unanimously agreed. Brierley beat John King/Colin Marco been quite outstanding. Maureen has President Brian Lamerton proposed 8, 5, 7; Over 40 Women s Singles ­ organised all the teams that the the honour and said that much of Cathy Eakin beat Sue Body -3, 8, 9, ­ Questors Club put in the League for as Harold's work was over and above 3, 7; Over 40 Mixed Doubles ­ long as anyone can remember and this what was expected of him. He said he George Reeves/Gill Locke beat Colin service also involves arranging all had been instrumental in keeping the Marco/Sue Hickman -9, 7, 4, 2.; nder substitutes for the last 16 years as well schools association going for many 21 Men s Singles - Keiran Lally beat as the Handbook Editor. Again, this years and also congratulated him on Aaron Fennell -4, 10, 8, 4; Men s service extends to chasing up on his tireless work running junior and Restricted Singles - Andrew Halling postponements and cancellations and cadet competitions. Harold, who beat Ron Wilde 7, -3, 1, 4; V17 Mixed it also covers arranging the cup lives in Gosport, is still county Doubles - Lee Daines/Kelly Skeggs competitions as well as the league secretary and showing no sign of beat Matt Staines/Leanne Bentley 11, tables. Twice a year the League runs slowing down. 8, -9, 8; V17 Girls Singles - Kelly a Quiz Night and yes - it s Maureen On the table a summer highlight was Skeggs beat Leanne Bentley -8, 8, -6, who usually arranges it. Even the the Boumemouth Cadet Open which 5, 6; V17 Boys Singles - Sam summer months offer little respite and was staged at Redbridge Community Cannon beat Tony Halling 7, -9, 3, 8; Maureen organises a Sunlmer League School in Southampton and attracted V17 Boys Doubles Tony at the Questors Club which is an exceptional entry of 124. diplomatically open to all other clubs Halling/Sam Cannon beat Keiran Shaftesbury's Tom Andrew and in the League. Maureen s Lally/Matthew Staines 14, -5, 9, -8, Plymouth's Sally Smith were the contribution to the Becontree League 9; V14 Girls Singles - Kelly Skeggs singles winners. has been immense and it is fair to say beat Rachel Jamieson 8, -9, 9, 6; V14 More than a year after it was that all a Questors Club Member has Boys Singles - Sam Cannon beat introduced for national events, the 11­ to do is tum up and play - Maureen Tony Halling 6, 4, 9; V14 Boys up scoring system continues to create will have taken care of all other Doubles - Tony Halling/Sanl Cannon division across Hampshire. beat Michael Andrews/Ashley Skeggs matters! 8, 6, -12, -9, 7; V12 Boys Singles- The Portsmouth League has agreed to things may look rather better with Power's run 11-4, 11-5, 12-10, and introduce the II-up system for all some new players in the league. then had a surprisingly easy 11-6, 11­ matches but the Hampshire My reservations about the late 8, 11-5 win over Thompson in the Association has opted to stick with nights produced by our system remain final. tradition and voted to keep the 21-up and this state of affairs may defeat all Angie Bristow, fresh from a year system for their inter-town veteran our efforts in the end and all the new touring in Australia, won the Ladies and men's competitions as well as the youngsters may drift away. Whilst the Singles comfortably beating North county senior closed championship. need is seen, I have not been able to West Kent's Jackie Mersh in the semi­ The Southampton League, which obtain support in our committee for a final 11-4, 11-7, 4-11, 11-9 and in the stuck with 21-up last season, has gone shorter evening with fewer matches. final Kim Mudge (Bromley) 12-10, for a partial change and introduced the One wishes there were some support 11-6, 11-7. new system of scoring for Premier and encouragement from the ETTA Medways' John Harley retained the Division matches only. leadership. U"17 Boys Singles title on the Sunday The top division in Southampton Our Summer League, played by and Ashford's Anusha Seneviratne promises to be an exciting race this two-person teams over five matches, repeated her Saturday win in the season with Mark Butler and Lee was warmly applauded and liked. Ladies Singles over Gemma Yarnley Dredge rumoured to be joining the Matches started at 8, finished before to take the V17 Girls title. Waterside squad. 10 and were played on the same night Hampshire has decided to enter one each week. No fixture was cancelled. MEN S SINGLES: Semi-final: Joe senior, one junior and four veterans It should not be too hard to find a Kennedy (Bromley) beat William teams in the county championships in format of shorter duration than nine Power (T.Wells) 11-4, 11-5, 12-10; 2002-3. singles and one doubles, for which Christian Thompson (Medway) beat Last season was a difficult one for method I no longer see a future. Any Stephen Beerling (Thanet) 11-7, 7-11, the county first team in division one new system must be acceptable to the 5-11, 11-3, 11-9; FINAL: Joe and they were eventually relegated new, younger members on whom the Kennedy (Bromley) beat Christian despite solid performances from sport will depend one day for survival Thompson (Medway) 11-6, 11-8, 11­ Butler and Dredge. and progress. 5; LADIES SINGLES: Semi-final: We look forward to the county Angie Bristow (T.Wells) beat Jackie matches and particularly the three we Mersh (NWK) 11-4, 11-7,4-11, 11-9 ISLE OF WIGHT by John Prean shall be able to stage at home. It Kim Mudge (Bromley) beat Anusha would take a miracle to repeat an Seneviratne (Ashford) 11-7, 11-3, 11­ My last notes foreshadowed a lively earlier feat of gaining promotion. Our 6; FINAL: Angie Bristow (T.Wells) AGM following a strong campaign to fears that Lucy Pointer would not be beat Kim Mudge (Bromley) 12-10, restore the 21-up system after a season back proved correct. However, Carl 11-6,11-7; U21 MENS SINGLES: of going along with II-up. Prean should figure in most matches, Stephen Beerling (Thanet) beat The meeting ended with victory for his duties in the German Budesliga William Power (T.Wells) 11-7, 11-9, the II-up method and the margins permitting. His team gained 11-6; U21 WOMEN S SINGLES: were so conclusive that 21-up is promotion to the top section last Anusha Seneviratne (Ashford) beat unlikely to return. Support season to which Carl will return at the Gemma Yamley (Folkestone) 11-9, undoubtedly existed at one time, but it age of35. 10-12, 11-3, 7-11, 14-12; VETERAN began to fade as players got to grips MEN S SINGLES: Joe Kennedy with II-up and opposition melted (Bromley) beat Henry Buist away. Few, as I reported earlier, felt (Bromley) 11-5, 11-9, 11-3; U17 any need to practice harder, which BOYS SINGLES: John Harley was the real answer all along. (Medway) beat William Harrington It gave me no pleasure that there (Ashford) 11-4, 11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 11-8 were threats to retire, not least as the U17 GIRLS SINGLES: Anusha ones who felt this way were decent, Seneviratne (Ashford) beat Gemma well-meaning guys. We have few Yarnley (Folkstone) 9-11, 11-9, 10­ enough members not to take this 12, 11-6, 11-9; U14 BOYS seriously. I have heard plenty of Kent County Table Tennis SINGLES: Alec Bartlett (T.Wells) views which expressed a liking for the Association beat Nick Mayes (Dover) 11-9 ,11­ system after trying it for a while. By Adrian Hall 9, 12-10; U14 GIRLS SINGLES: At last we can return to the really Gemma Yarnley (Folkestone) beat big problem which is getting more KENNEDY AND BRISTOW KENT Anusha Seneviratne (Ashford) 3-11, people to play and join our CHAMPIONS 11-6, 12-10, 13-11 Association. Long as it has taken, there is a dawning realization that our Bromley's Joe Kennedy and MAURICE GOLDSTEIN MERIT future is at stake, that we won t Tunbridge Wells' Angie Bristow took AWARD survive if we lose a few teams each the Men s and Ladies Singles titles at summer. the Kent Closed Championships at The ETTA s Maurice Goldstein merit Throughout the summer there has Canterbury High School on the award was presented to John Knock of been steady improven1ent in the weekend 4/5 May. Leigh RBL Table Tennis Club at a numbers visiting our centre. Most are Medway's Christian Thompson and well attended Club Annual Dinner on learners unlikely to be ready for Stephen Beerling, Thanet, both 3rd May. league play in October and n10st are reached the semi-final stage as John has just completed his 50 th casual players whom we see seldom expected, and produced the best match season in the Tonbridge League with more than once a week. Even at this of the day with Thompson showing Leigh and is still actively involved in level the standards are too uneven to some of his old international class, assisting the juniors. This award is encourage a Woolwich type of Junior winning 11-7, 7-11, 5-11, 11-3, 11-9. recognition not only for his services to League. However, in a year s time In the other semi-final, top seed Joe table tennis but for all his other Kennedy finally ended William sporting interests which make John Dominic Hall was been selected to earlier events for Richard Elliott, the very much part of Leigh. represent England in a series of pre-tournament favourite, had already friendly matches and training sessions fought his way through to the finals of th QUEEN S JUBILEE RIJN against Saudi Arabia between 17 -29 the premier handicap and the hard bat July. Despite his success at the Singles before Keates entered the Larkfield Table Tennis Club and National Championships and winning action. Maidstone Grammar School had the Jarvis Sports Junior Grand Prix However, victory in the handicap double cause for celebration in June and being ranked No 3 in England, event, in which Elliott had to concede with East MaIling s 17-year-old Hall has been overlooked by England points to all and sundry, was not Dominic Hall carrying the Baton as for the European Youth emulated at hard bat level, for part of the Queen s Jubilee & Championships in Russia so the call to awaiting him in the final was that Commonwealth Games celebrations represent England in Jeddah, Saudi redoubtable master of the original and later in the week represented Arabias is something of a consolation. technique - Alan Ashberry, whose England Schools in Wales. brick wall defence not only extinguished Elliott s hopes, but gave MEDALS FOR KENT PAIR IN NORFOLK by Ray Hogg the Thrapston player his third title in SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL five years. Although not directly involved any In the premier event Elliott, though Folkestone s Gemma Yarnley and more in the running of the County, I hard pressed by Geoff Atkinson, Dominic Hall (Maidstone Grammar), decided to make a comeback only to proceeded to the semi-final where he the Kent Schools U14 and U 18 provide the country with some news met his Higham team-mate Mark Champions, represented England at from Norfolk as for the last two Nannery, who produced some the Welsh Institute of Sport, Cardiff, seasons this has been sadly lacking. outstanding form to win a tense in the British Schools Invitation We are still reeling from the loss of encounter. tournament and won two silver and Mike Watts - luckily Ray Drew, our In the other half of the draw Keates two bronze medals respectively. Chairman and National Councillor, comfortably negotiated the Yarnley - U14 Team - Silver, U14 has taken on the role as acting prospective pitfalls until reaching his Doubles - Silver Secretary until we sort ourselves out. sixth final in seven years he took a Hall - U19 Team - Bronze, U19 We have entered our usual two senior, third title with a masterly exhibition of Singles - Bronze. two junior and three veteran teams. attacking play. We nearly entered the over 60 The doubles final was an all­ MEDWAY KENT LEAGUE veterans but luckily found out that Higham affair and duly provided a CHAMPIONS Mick Broughton does not qualify until third successive win for the next season. Ray Gale is our new Keates/Elliot duo. It was a repeat Congratulations to Medway on Junior man who has plenty to choose performance of last year s encounter winning the Men s Kent League ahead from as that aspect of the game seems and featured the same four players of Dover in second place. to be booming. who had taken part in 1996, when Paul Cronin (Medway) finished the Local Leagues mostly still are Elliott and Nannery had proved too season with a 100% record. Thanks to keeping to the 21 format: a straw poll good for Keates and Steve Brown. organiser David Cue who makes such at the Norwich AGM showed some 50 There was to be no traditional treble an excellent job of administrating the for 21 and only 2 for II-up although for in the mixed doubles Elliott and league. we all realise that eventually we will Muriel Cox were to repeat their only have to go II-up. previous success from as far back as HALL ENDS JUNIOR SEASON Congratulations to Edna Fletcher on 1990, with Keates partnered by Clem WITH TWO NATIONAL FINALS winning the over 75s at the World Little for once on the losing side. Veterans Table Tennis Championships Helen Watts was the day s Dominic Hall (1 7), in his last season to add to her European title. Also to unluckiest player going down to as a junior, reached two finals at the Lauren Spink who at 13 travels the Elliott/Cox on three prolonged deuces English Table Tennis National country to maintain her high ranking when partnered by her brother Martin, Championships at King s Lynn on in both cadets and juniors - she also but then easily beating no. 1 seed Viv Saturday 18th May. Hall with partner this season has won all the events she Smiley in Group One of the singles. Peter Cleminson (Essex) beat second was able to enter at both the Norfolk However, with two from each group seeds Dale Barham (Cambs) / Danny and Norwich Championships. to qualify, Smiley went through to Homer (Cheshire) comfortably three account for holder Clem Little at the straight in the semi-final of the junior semi-final stage. doubles but then just lost the final to NORTHANTS by Dennis Millman The second clash between Watts and the top seeds Matt Kenny (Yorks) / Smiley was one of the best games of Greg Baker (Warks) in five legs With preparations for the forthcoming the day, but though Watts was despite holding at one stage a 2-1 leg campaign not too far advanced, I have participating in her seventh final in lead and up 5-1 in the fourth leg. little alternative but to tum the clock nine years, Smiley finally turned the 3rd seed Hall beat 8th seed Bryn back and report on happenings from tables to take her first title late in the Drinkhall (Cleveland) in three straight the latter stages of last season. fifth game decider. legs in the semifinal but found Dale As usual the Kettering Closed The mercurial Watts bounced back Barham (Cambs), the England Nol, Tournament was well supported with in the doubles when partnered by too strong in the final although Hall organiser Phil Slade capably dealing Braybrooke junior Poorna Chaudhuri, was able to take the third leg 12-10 to with more than 350 matches on a day her positive approach proved too extend the final to a fourth leg. that saw Ryan Keates regain the much for three-times Northants men s singles with a resounding win champions Smiley and Little, and the ENGLAND TRIP TO SAUDI over Mark Nannery, who had reached younger pairing playing together for ARABIA FOR DOMINIC the final for the first time. the first time won 11-8 in the fifth in Perhaps Keates cause was helped yet another nail-biting finish. by his decision not to play in the Mike Pond last played in the over Cup men s team of Eddie Smith, to relative newcomers Richard Wesley 40s event as long ago as 1993 but Andrew Wilkinson and Dave Godbold and Sarah Perks to make their nlark on showed he had lost none of his - for once at full strength - beat the national scene when they were expertise when he again outplayed Potteries of Stoke 5-0, Horsham selected to represent England in the Gordon Shaw. Then partnered first by Crawley 5-1 and lost only to British Schools International Ian Sclater and then by Atkinson, Wembley Middlesex 1-5, which Championships which were held in Pond took both veteran doubles, but meant they finished as runners-up in Cardiff on the last weekend in June. was deprived of a clean sweep when this competition. Congratulations to The Worksop based youngsters did Atkinson took the over 50s singles for all on a fine performance. themselves and the league proud after the fifth time in eight years. Dave Godbold also took part in his picking up the Silver and Bronze At junior level Robert Williams beat first veterans tournament at the awards respectively. Wesley partnered Michael Clarke for a second World Veterans Championships in Shaun Rogerson of Grantham and as successive title and it was also a Lucerne at the end of June, and gave England "A"o they defeated Scotland repeat performance as the finalists the performance of his life in the over and Guernsey 5-0 before losing 4-1 to teanled up together in the doubles. 40s singles, only just missing out on a Wales. In their semi-final they The pair also clashed in the semi-final bronze medal. He easily qualified defeated England "B" 3-2 only to lose of the under 30s event when Clarke through his group to go into the main 3-2 in the final against Wales to gain led 10-5 in the fifth it looked as if he draw, and after easily defeating two silver. In the doubles they defeated would exact his revenge. However, Germans and a Hungarian 3-0 came Scotland "A" 3-2 in the quarters, Williams fought back to take seven up against the Czech world no. 2 Wales "A" in the semi's and then points in a rowand, suitably inspired, Miroslac Shenk. He sensationally surprisingly lost to England "B" 3-0 in went on to account for Simon Jarvis in defeated Shenk 3-0 to advance to the the final, once again picking up silver. the final. last 16, when he came up against the In the individual championships Sarah Other junior winners included Welsh no. 1 Steve Hall. After beating Perks (England ranked 15) played Stephen Broughton, Simon Bushell, Hall 3-1, he thought he had finished Gemma Yarnley (England ranked 5) Sam Piranty and the unrelated playing after a long and tiring day, but in the quarter-final and after five Samantha and Leanne Johnston, while after a change to the schedule had to gruelling sets Sarah came out with her the remaining handicap events went to play the no. 4 seed, Manfred first ever win over the highly talented Damian Carr, Lee Bunker and Karl Neirlinger' (Germany) an hour later, Yarnley in a thrilling encounter. Tressler. and only went down 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, Following this nerve-racking victory Finally, Barry Thompson was an 10-12 at the quarter-final stage. Perks battled hard but went down to enterprising winner of the over 30 This was an excellent performance the eventual winner Lauren singles, Bunker and Mike Burrows at his first tournament at this level, Springthorpe in the fought hard and long to beat all and Dave is hoping to go one step semi-final although this also went comers in the mystery doubles and further next year by being seeded for down to the wire as Lauren won in the Stephen Woolston became only the the European Championships in Italy. deciding 5th set. Sarah can be well second player in almost 30 years to Although Dave is not aged 40 until pleased with her bronze and all augers win the consolation singles for a later this year, he was able to take part well for the future. Along with Sarah second time. in this tournament under the current and Stella Davis, Perks played age lules. What a pity that because of as England "B" and fini,shed in third the different age restrictions, he will place behind Wales and England "A", NORTHUMBERLAND by Pauline not be eligible to play for the County once again achieving the bronze Long Veterans team until Septenlber 2003, award. especially as his experience would The Worksop League finished the I shall start this month by reporting on have been invaluable in the Premier season on a high note as they retained events and results of which I was not Division next season. Surely it is time the Inter-Town Challenge Trophy aware at the time of the June/July for some uniformity to be considered after defeating the Mansfield League issue of Table Tennis News. with regard to the current age by a 6-3 margin. Starring for Worksop North Shields YMCA A restrictions. were veterans Mick Bell and John eventually regained the Northumbria Meanwhile the Summer League, in Hallgarth who each won two while Winter League Premier Division title which 32 teams contested four Richard Wesley and Craig Gascoyne by six points from previous season s divisions, was due to end on 16th each won one. winners Birtley SC A, with St. August. Current leaders are: Mansfield replied through Stacey Gabriel s again finishing in third Division 1 - Washington B; Beastall, Kerry Radford and the place. Division 2 - College Street C; doubles pairing of Stacey Beastall and Division 2 runners-up Cranllington Division 3 - North Shields YMCA Gareth Godber. Codgers (Paul Swift, Frank Lasek and C ; Division 4 - Whitehouse Lane At the annual Worksop League Clive Dewison) won the Team B. Weare still looking for new Awards the following were presented Handicap Knockout Cup Competition sponsors for both the League and with their prizes by the leagues by 5-0 over Division 3 side three County teams, and any sponsor Mr Robert Hooton of D.T.H Cramlington Knights (Dave Colam suggestions or offers would be very Engineering. and father and son Joe and Robert welconle. Player of the Year-Craig Gascoyne, Swinburn). This is the second season Junior Player of the Year-Thomas in a row that two Cramlington teams Wesley, Most have contested the final of this NOTTINGHAMSHIRE by Mike Improved Player-Lisa Ripley, Best competition. Tunningly Beginner-Alex Olliffe, Sporting The Northumbria League Award-Priory Carpets "A", Youth representative side of Malcolm Lusk, As former Worksop League player Team Performance-Worksop Boys Geoff Salter and John Williamson Louise Durrant is now an established National Junior Team, Division One went down by 3-5 to Norwich in the England international and Craig Champions-M.B.E. Division Two semi-final of the Alec Brook Trophy Gascoyne is knocking on the door of Champions-Manton M.W."B", Open competition. However, the Wilmott the Scottish national team it was left Singles Champion-Craig Gascoyne, Division Two Singles Champion­ France took the individual honours Wells possibly holding onto former Matthew Dodds. with 15 out of 18 - equal to Mike Horsham stalwarts Nigel Eckersley Meredith of runners-up Kidderminster and Adrian Moore. - Rob Mansfield and Mike Dudley SHROPSHIRE by Terry Ridgway made up the side who will compete in the top division next season. Taking WARWICKSHIRE by Caroline Official County Ranking List their place in the second division are Williams 2002/3 Season Shrewsbury s B side of John Holding, Graham Phillips and Terry Ridgway, Maurice GOldstein for fantastic 8 Men who won the Division 3 trophy No less than eight Warwickshire 1. Tony Ackroyd (Telford) surprisingly in the last round of members have been awarded this year 2. Dave Elkin (Telford) matches. Individual honours to the Maurice Goldstein Merit Award 3. Nigel Holding (Shrewsbury) Ridgway with 14 out of 15 wins. by the ETTA for devoted service to 4. Malcolnl Langford (Telford) table tennis. Warwickshire nominated 5. Chris Martin (Ludlow) Bob Montgomery and Frank Stevens, 6. Terry Ridgway (Bridgnorth) SUSSEX by John Woodford in recognition of their 40 years of 7. Darrell Corfield (Shrewsbury) service particularly to umpiring. 8. Rob Mansfield (Shrewsbury) A brand new season and Sussex have League recognised the 9. Mike Dudley (Bridgnorth) a new chairman - Keith Jackson, who amount put in by three of their 10. John Holding (Telford) was in the chair for seven years from members: Don Richards, Gordon Gear 1994 to 2001. He has made a and Allan Stockham were all Women comeback from retirement with two honoured. These presentations were 1. Wendy Baggott (Bridgnorth) passions - table tennis and bowls - he made at the Coventry AGM in July. 2. Jane Bevan (Shrewsbury) is chairnlan of Hurstpierpoint Bowling In Leamington certificates were 3. Lynne Davies (Bridgnorth) Club. presented at the League s Presentation Also playing an increasing role in Evening in May to Derek Harwood, Veteran Men Sussex administration is Chris Phil Paine and Hazel Higgins. Derek 1. Dave Elkin Newberry () - he continues had served the Association for over 20 2. Malcolm Langford as Sussex development officer and he years as Coaching Officer, League 3. Chris Martin is now vice-chairman of the county. Secretary as well as Treasurer from 4. Terry Ridgway One day he may move even higher. 1986 to 2000. Phil is now in his 30th 5. Rob Mansfield National Councillor Dave Berriman season as Representative Match is driving forward with his plans for Secretary whilst Hazel has been part Telford League coaching and for county training of the Association since 1959, with Newcomers Idsall proved to be team sessions. He has persuaded his stints as Chairman and Secretary of the season in Telford s League with committee that greater efforts must be during her 40+ years and is still Vice­ the B side winning Division 3 and the made from now on to get larger Chairman at present. 0 A side cruising to the Division 2 title number of young players to the junior after winning the Telford Handicap squad training sessions. Cup. With Chris Tarr s guidance the He announced that local league Shifnal based side of top county matches would not be an excuse for juniors are getting better with every players not attending the county match and could be a good outside bet sessions. Players who wish to be to take next season s Division 1 title. considered for the five Sussex junior and cadet teams must attend county Shrewsbury League training at least once a month. Cricket Club A finished the season That s putting county before local unbeaten and retained the Premier leagues and will not go down well in trophy. Their side of Rod France, some towns. Berriman failed in a bid Derek Harwood (red shirt) withhis Nigel Holding and Matt Croft were to compel all county players to Maurice Goldstein Award given a good run by Pontesbury A but purchase ETTA Player Licences. their final 9-1 victory over Railways There will be no Sussex Open Grand A clinched the trophy. Prix this year; plans to nln it at a north Pontesbury C and Cricket Club D Sussex public school fell through gained promotion to the Prenlier because the two possible weekend Division at the expense of Telepost dates did not suit the stadiunl. and Unison B were unable to fight off However, plans are going ahead to relegation. The closest battle came in stage the event in October 2003 at the the second Division 2 as Rushbury B Crawley Leisure Centre on 18 tables. took the trophy by a one set difference The new criteria for Grand Prix events over Hospitals D. is now a minimum of 18 tables - this After laast season s enjoyable run in was never met at Hastings where it the County Championships Shropshire was difficult to fit in 12 tables. have now entered a B side who will News from the British League ­ Phil Paine (blue shirt) with his also be competing in Division 4C with Horsham have doubled the strength of Maurice Goldstein Award plus the current A side. their top team in Division 1 (South) various trophies. He was part of the with the return of Sussex Champion team that won Division 1, plus he had Shrewsbury Vetts Mayur Majithia and Terry Haley ­ won the Veteran mens singles and the they will join Andy Walker and Peter Grade 1 singles at the Leamington Shrewsbury s A side comfortably won Bartram; these four will take some Closed Championships. Division 2 of the Midland League, beating, even with the two relegated having won all six matches. Rod teams from Reading and Tunbridge Brum ready for new season sixteen, at deuce in the fifth, to Hampshire s Charlie Childs, while Birmingham decided to prepare for eighth seed Tom Carr (Herts) lost his the new season well in advance by position in the preliminary round holding their Junior Ranking Trials in group to Mike Wilkins of Bucks. Carr July. Accordingly, a good entry was went through his group in second obtained with the following results:­ place but then lost to Dave Crowley Under 17:- 1. Peter Kirkham, 2. John (Middx) in the first round before Harrison, 3. Omar Benares, 4. Sammy Crowley became a victim of Pickard Sandhu, 5. Navinder Matharu, 6. Phuc one round later. Wilkins was upended Huynh, 7. Yaqoub Mohammed, 8. in the first round by surprise package Paul Leek. Geoff Ware (Hants) who had also had Cadet:- 1. Sammy Sandhu, 2. an impressive win over Chris Gibbons Cippenham Young Players Navinder Matharu, 3. Paul Leek, 4. (Northants) in the groups. Tony Summer Festival (1-2.6.02) Scott Danter, 5. Alan Caffery, 6. Tom Brown (Berks) followed up his first By Graham Trimming Leek, 7. Lee Egan, 8. Ryan Hall, 9. round win over John Barclay (Bucks) Thomas Parker. by beating Ware to set up a quarter­ Last weekend saw the biggest ever Under 12:- 1. Alan Caffery, 2. Jordan final meeting which he lost to Harvey. event yet staged at Cippenham Table Armstrong, 3. Charlotte Caffery, 4. The last surviving Cippenham Tennis Centre as the Cippenham club Lauren Danter. members were Mike Rhodes, who reached the end of its sixth season in survived until the quarters where he the magnificent purpose-built facility. Leamington continues to grow lost to Buist, and Ken Philipson who 180 players, all aged 15 or younger, went out at the same stage to Holman. came together for the two-day The other Cippenham player to make Cippenham Young Players Summer Leamington is one of the few leagues it through to the groups was Festival. They provided a total of 326 not to be hit by falling player numbers tournament organiser Graham entries and played about 850 matches and will continue with its two league Trimming. He then lost in the fifth keeping 16 tables busy for around 20 system the same as last year. It runs game to previous champion Davis. hours to get through the ten events, three I2-team divisions of 3-a-side The women s event was played in each with their own consolation event and three 6-team divisions of 2-a-side. two groups of four players with the attached. Organizer and Referee Ken The 2-a-side attracts a number of top two progressing into a final group Phillips deserved all the plaudits he younger (and older) players who of four and the others playing off in a received for his handling of the appreciate the earlier finishes, with 2 consolation group. Apart from King tournament that ran like clockwork. competitions over the year with and Wood, the other players to make The Cippenham players did not let promotion and relegation at Christmas it into the competition proper were their Club down either, winning five aiding the rapidly improving younger Sue Adamson (Surrey) and Lorna of the events and being runner-up in players to gain the correct experience Slifkin (Middx). four. Dorian Robinson was the local of league play. A good entry of 72 players were star in the boys events, winning the At the top of the league, Leamington attracted to the tournament and, UII and UI] titles and being runner­ has always attracted teanlS from far surprisingly, did not fall behind up in the UI2. In the girls events it afield. Coventry and Colebridge te.ams schedule despite the counter-attraction was Sylvana Bielec, one 'of the stars of have been regular entrants, last year of the England v Denmark World Cup Slough s national Hammersley Cup Nuneaton joined in and now Spa have match on television in the adjoining success the previous weekend, who attracted two teams from Banbury. lounge. Ken Phillips was the able was nlost successful, winning both the The Banbury teams like Nuneaton will Referee who ensured that the VI3 and VI5 titles while Melanie play home matches at a Leamington tournament finished exactly on Farquhar took the VI2 title and was area venue. schedule. runner-up in the VI3. Cippenham s other successful players were Caroline Results: Linz and Marc Armstrong who were MS: Dave Harvey (Gs) bt Chris runners-up in their VI5 events, and Cippenham Veterans Summer 2 Pickard (Mi) 9, 6, 9; WS: 1. Sheila Sebastian Bielec, who won the VI5 Star Open Championships King (Sx), 2. Jackie Wood (Bk); boys consolation. MCons: Ray Dixon (Wo) bt Chris Essex players stole many ofthe rest Top seeds Dave Harvey (Glos) and Gibbons (Np) -9, 6, -9, 9;WCons: 1. of the honours: Paul Dewhurst Sheila King (Sussex) were the winners Audrey Robinson (Bu), 2. Flavia underlining his top seeding in the V 15 of the Cippenham Veterans Summer Wade (Mi). while Billy Deville did likewise in the 2-Star Open Championships in June. UIO. Jessica Macken and Rachel Neither was troubled too much Jamieson won the VIO and UII titles although King did drop a game to respectively for the same county. The runner-up Jackie Wood, a local player other title also went eastwards when from Windsor. Lee Barnes (Suffolk) won the UI2 Harvey s opponent in the men s boys event. final was third seed Chris Pickard The incredible entry may have been (Middlesex) after the latter had due to the long bank holiday weekend disposed of second seed Derek Homan because such an assembly of players (Surrey) in the semi-final. Harvey s has not been seen previously at victim in the semi-final was fourth Cippenham. As a I-star event (the seed Henry Buist (Kent). Although all lowest grading), it attracted a lot of the top four seeds took up their new players but others were prompted positions in the semis it was not so to travel from such faraway places as clear-cut in the quarters. Fifth seed Durham and Wales to play. (Surrey) lost in the last Results: into two with 2, 3, 4 players I hour top table competitIon to VI5BS: Paul Dewhurst (E) bt Marc changing groups every day decide the groups. Paul Drinkhall was Armstrong (Mi) -3, -5, 13, 6, 3; (depending on level, motivation, on the top two tables all session. VI5GS: Sylvana Bielec (Bu) bt behaviour) Lauren Springthorpe moved up two Caroline Linz (Bu) -8, -5, 9, 5, 9; b. Giving - players are asked to tables, but not far enough to make VI3BS: Dorian Robinson (Sy) bt glue only three times during the group 1. Andrew Merrick (Gs) 8, 6, -8, 3; week - at the beginning, in the VI3GS: Sylvana Bielec (Bu) bt middle and before the final Session: 15.30 - 18.30 Melanie Farquhar (Bk) -0, 8, 6, -7, 4 competition on the last day - the Group 1 - 1 hour of footwork VI2BS: Lee Barnes (Sk) bt Dorian principle being that the speed exercises, mainly involving counter Robinson (Sy) 9, 5, -9, 5; VI2GS: glues often replace the good hitting from early. Some exercises Melanie Farquhar (Bk) bt Rachel basic technical skills, especially involved counter hitting, then the Jamieson (E) 12, 7, -11, 9; VIIBS: in spin and control, by more second time around spin attacks. Dorian Robinson (Sy) bt Billy Deville speed General idea was to work on taking (E) 8, -8, 2, 5; VII GS: Rachel c. After lunch players must be in ball early and footwork (ball stays in Jamieson (E) bt Rachael Pilgrim (Wa) their own rooms resting for one play more with counter hits). -7, -8, 5, 10,5; VI0BS: Billy Deville hour followed by a one hour Group 2 - multi-balls in 5 groups of 3, (E) bt Adam Draper (WAL) 11,4,2; English lesson with a coach working on basic topspin VIOGS: Jessica Macken (E) bt d. Players to wear name sheets on skills against backspin. Charlotte Callcut (E) 4, 9, -8, 6; their back (as in competition) VI5BCons: Sebastian Bielec (Bu) bt during all sessions After the break with this reversed ­ Andrew Merrick (Gs) 12, -10, -9, 5, group 1 on multi-ball - mainly 8; VI5GCons: Claire Groome (E) bt The following general training focusing on backhand topspin and Sophie Willsher (Ha) 15, 10, 9; principles were applied: in/out movements. Group 2 looked at VI3BCons: Suchira Gauage (Mi) bt variations ofthe block and control. Chatura Gauage (Mi) 5, -11, -7, 7, 6; a. 2 or 3 playing sessions planned lTI3GCons: Rachel Greener (Du) bt every day. The first 2 sessions Session 20.15 - 21.90 Sophie Willsher (Ha) 8, 10, -10, 7; were 3 hours duration and the Top table mixed doubles with your VI2BCons: William Maybanks (Ha) third about an hour own team-mate. Basic principles of bt Richard Kelly (Mi) 5, -6, 10, 8; b. Group 1 generally practices more doubles explained, e.g. which comers VI2GCons: Rachel Greener (Du) bt tactical and moving exercises. to play to when playing with a left or Amy Wilkinson (E) 6, 2, 8; Group 2 more technical right-hander. Which type of serves VIIBCons: John Bispham (K) bt c. Play is forbidden before warming are more effective against certain Zane Smythe (Sy) 6, 6, 9; U1IGCons: up and during breaks players, where to stand on receive Jacqueline Lau (Mi) bt Tamsin d. Each country s player/coaches to with a left/right-hander, etc. Holland (He) 9, -9, 4, 7; VIOBCons: lead a warm-up/down in tum for Alexander Grima (Bu) bt Gregory 10-15 minutes. Day 2 Beckett (Bk) 9, -9, 9, 15; IOGCons: Session ~: 9.00 - 12.00 Tamsin Holland (He) bt Briony Fisher The knocking up time for every Group 1 - main focus on blocking and (K) 2, 7, 5 session was the same, with 5 counter attack. Main principles - not structured exercises (below), each standing too close to the table on Eurokids - Under 12 Training about 3-5 minutes long (editor s note: backhand comer and counter attacking Camp - Istanbul 20th_27 th Bradley had supplied diagrams but I early on forehand; more backswing February 2002 attempt to describe each exercise in and smooth stroke on backhand, By Bradley Billington words. KM). focusing on soft through-contact, with slight use of wrist. This was the fourth Eurokids training 1. Forehand to forehand drive Group 2 - multi-balls - continuing camp and my first one. Paul crosscourt, but with each player focus on touching (thin contact of) Drinkhall and Lauren Springthorpe hitting the ball alternately wide to ball with spin. were the two England players selected the partner scorner, and then to Group 1 - physical - involving sprints to attend the camp. The ETTV nearer the middle of the table. and football. developed the concept of the 2. Forehand top spinning from Group 2 - 3 exercises looking at flat European V 12 training camps to forehand corner, alternately to block, topspin block, side block. create grounds for young players in partner s forehand block and order to enable them to challenge backhand block. Session 5: 15.30 -18.30 world top players in the future. It is 3 . Both players driving alternately Group 1 - 3 exercises working on also an opportunity for coaches to co­ with forehand and backhand backhand topspin against backspin ordinate opinions in order to establish crosscourt down backhand and then block. Main focus - to get a common programme for further diagonal. arm, elbow and wrist to turn away training. One boy and one girl from 4 . Backhand top spinning from the ball, to lift spin; then on 16 countries were in attendance at a crosscourt to backhand block on second ball against block, to topspin sports training centre in Istanbul. backhand diagonal. over the ball, not standing too close. Head coaches for the training were 5. Both players forehand top Top table with backhand open up. Lescek Kusharski (Pol) and Phillipe spinning to each other down Group 2 - movement exercises from Molodzoff (Fra). middle of table fron1 off the three different distances. Close table. (speed), mid (fast spin), off table Some general principles were applied (slow spin) to develop different to the training camp: Day 1 movement patterns and different Session 1: 9.00 -12.00 contacts on the ball. a . Girls and boys play together 30 minutes following the five Session 6: 20.00 - 21.00 depending on their technical common exercises followed by _ hour Group 1 - full session of serve and level. The whole group divided individual exercises. After the break, receive and flick, focusing on the technique of the flick. Not just to develop the correct techniques for flicking the wrist, but timing the Session 10: 15.30 - 18.30 that individual. movement so that you are moving Group 1 - focus of the session was a slightly forwards on contact. Also lot of exercises with quick changes in using elbow and a bit of wrist (slightly direction, e.g. one player across (X s), NATIONAL JUNIOR LEAGUE open) to guide ball. the other plays straight (H s), then 2002-03 Group 2 - Looking at basic spin and between one and four shots, the player The National Junior League (NJL) spin control techniques of serve and playing diagonal plays straight - then was first run in season 1997/S to fill receive. Bat angles and thin contacts it s reversed. Then some games with the gap between the Woolwich Junior on the ball. two balls - when one missed, play the British League and Woolwich Junior (other) ball as normal. Leagues. The NJL was formed in Day 3 Group 2 - focus on movement, response to demands for local Session 7: 9.00 -12.00 especially turning from the backhand competition by grass roots players and Group 1 - main focus was on co­ corner with the forehand, stepping by the reluctance of some juniors to ordination and movement exercises. around the comer with both feet and play in leagues. Last season almost Most of the exercises were control not just pivoting on left leg for right­ 200 teams played in centres all over from one position with one or two handers or right leg for left-handers. the country on 4 days. shots to different positions, e.g. one or Competition this season is planned to two to backhand, one or two to Sessions 11, 12 & 13 take place on the following dates: forehand - continual. Team & Individual Competitions 30th November 2002, Group 2 - multi-balls - in and out (Editor s note: I have cut this from th movements, taking care to ensure Bradley s report. KM) 14 December 2002 Sth February 2003 good balance, i.e. knees bent and th weight even on toes, not too much on General comments 29 March 2003 However these dates are nominal and toes or heels. Group 1 - did physical and group 2 1. In my opinion, from the camp can be changed to nleet local requirements. continued to develop block variations. and watching many young Amendments already notified are:­ players play at this level and nd Session 8: 15.30 - 18.30 below, far too many players are North West first date moved to 2 Group 1 did a full session of multi­ using woods, rubbers and glues November. Ledbury first date moved to 9th ball, focusing on first spin and next which are way too fast. I November. attack, developing movement patterns wouldn t expect a 12-year-old Wednesbury first date moved to 9th to allow weight to transfer forwards in boy or girl in tennis to have a November, second date to 7th the stroke. racket that is faster and more December, third to 1st February Group 2 - a general session of highly-strung than that of Pete Rugby first date nl0ved to 23rd footwork on serve/receive exercises, Sampras. I have seen many November, second to 7th December. followed by a selection of physical young players in table tennis with Hillsborough second date cancelled ­ tests - power, speed, strength. bats faster than the top world players. Whilst short term, these new date to be advised Cippenham/Chesham first date 12th Day 4 rackets may help them to lift the October (hence early closing date for The rest day - which was an organised ball against chop and play hard, it t~ trip to visit various places of interest doesn t develop their finer ball entries), third date be chosen between 11 th January, Sth February and in Istanbul. skills or footwork techniques th long term. Certainly the rubber 15 February Day 5 has to be quality in order to Clubs apply to enter teams of 3 to play Session 9: 9.00 - 12.00 develop spin, and to counter spin in venues closest to their club s Group 1 did very basic exercises, but with skill rather than dead location, thus saving travel and with towels positioned, a) across the rubber, but if it is too fast, too accommodation costs. The preferred middle of table leaving 10-12 inches early (in the player s career), the option is graded divisions for boys at the baseline free, and b), down the skills to develop spin are and girls. Mixed teams and divisions centre of table leaving 14 inches or so reduced. arc acceptable but these do bring some in either half. Then open play top 2. The concept of these camps - to problems of equating standards. The table, with the towels in various pool Europe s young players and schedule of play guarantees a full positions. The exercises were not coaches in order to compete day s participation with each match very productive in the play, but the against potential Asian consisting of a 6 or 9 singles/team players had to concentrate harder, and domination - is a good one and match dependent on the make-up of it showed how short their attacks and needs to continue through the the divisions. Winners of the top blocks are in open play. various age groups. division at each centre may apply for Group 2 - regular exercises from 3. The general consensus of opinion promotion to the JBL and medals will different distances and to three of the most important factors to be awarded to winners and runners-up different block positions - backhand, focus upon with beginners was: in all divisions. middle, forehand. The second half of 1) position of legs, 2) backhand Players who have played in the Junior session was individual exercises set by technique, 3) forehand technique, British League in the current season the each player s own coach. Note: 4) grip. will not be eligible to play. This is a Lauren had made it into group 1 on self-help event under the overall this day, which showed her efforts My personal opinion is that the grip is control of a local organiser. The were being rewarded. Paul continued the most important, with the position ranking weighting is 1.0. to show his strengths as one of the of the legs second. The style of grip Each player must have a Player better players. The session concluded has a definite impact on the technique Licence valid for the season 2002-03. with shadow play training - focusing and ball skills: if incorrect it is Details can be obtained from Doreen not on speed, but on ensuring basic difficult to change from very early and movements were correct. Nightingale at ETTA Head Office ­ 8-11, 13-15, 7-11, 11-9; Semi­ telephone 01424 722525. On reaching the accommodation at finals:Andrew Baggaley There is no sponsorship for this event. Jeddah, the players to be in bed by (Buckinghamshire) bt Matthew Syed The halls are being booked and the o1.30h. They attended the first (Surrey) 11-9, 11-7, 11-9,11-9; Alex entry fee will be £68 per teanl of 3 training session at 09.30h on Perry (Devonshire) bt Gareth Herbert players (more can be registered) made Wednesday, shaking off the effects of (Berkshire) 11-7, 9-11, 10-12, 7-11, up of £10 per team computer levy, £5 travel. 11-9, 11-2, 11-9; Final: Andrew for each player and £43 per team All training on Wednesday took Baggaley (Buckinghamshire) bt Alex registration. place under the direction of the Saudi Perry (Devonshire) 11-5, 17-19, 11-9, coach l/c ala Werner from Sweden: 11-5, 11-9; Women's singles Quarter­ Should you be interested in entering he determined all the exercises and finals:Nicola Deaton (Derbyshire) bt a team(s), please contact Graham games. Louise Durrant (Nottinghamshire) 11­ Rogerson at the address and telephone For the following morning I thought 7, 11-5, 12-10, 11- 4; number below or bye-mail at we had better have an individual Andrea Holt (Lancashire) bt Joanna [email protected] training session and accordingly we Roberts (Yorkshire) 12-10, 11- 4, 11­ Closing date for entries are given trained separately. Friday being the 5 , 1 1 - 6 below, but early returns would be Sabbath, we trained both sessions Katy Parker (Lancashire) bt Judy appreciated. without Saudis. From Saturday until Morley (Gloucestershire) 11-5, 11-6, Tuesday, we had integrated training 11-7, 11-8 Chesham HS and Cippenham Mike and games were being played. Helen Lower (Staffordshire) bt Atkinson On Wednesday, ala developed a Lindsey Thornton (Lancashire) 11- 8, 01494785609 problem with his ear and neck such 11-5, 11-13,11-13, 11-7, 11-3; Closing date 12 Sept 2002 that he was unable to take further Women's Singles Semi-finals: Nicola 35 Poles Hill, Chesham, Bucks. HP5 training sessions. Additionally, the Deaton (Derbyshire) bt Andrea Holt 2QR main hall was being prepared for a (Lancashire) 11-7, 11-9, 11-9, 9 -11, North West wrestling match. This caused the 6-11, 11-5 Ken Armson camp to be divided between the Saudi Helen Lower (Staffordshire) bt Katy 0151 4863073 seniors and Saudi juniors, and training Parker (Lancashire) 11-5, 11-6, 11-0, Closing date 30 Sept 2002. Armscot took place in two separate halls. I 14-12; Place, Hunts Cross, Liverpool. L25 took the Saudi seniors together with Final: Nicola Deaton (Derbyshire) bt ONX Jason, Domine and Daniel whilst Helen Lower (Staffordshire) 11-8, 11­ All other venues Ramy, the Saudi i/c junior coach, 5, 11-9, 11-9 Graham Rogerson worked in a separate hall with the 01553 670016 Saudi/English juniors. This Midlands Open Butterfly Grand Closing date 30 Sept 2002 arrangements lasted until Saturday, Prix, Wolverhampton, 27/28 April 33 Temple Road, King s Lynn, when ala decided he had improved in 2002 Norfolk. PE30 3SQ health sufficiently to take over the Finals results: Men s singles (from final day of training. There were no semi-finals): Gergely Urban staged nlatches and the training camp (Hungary) bt Taju Agunbiabe Sportbreak Summer Junior and concluded on Saturday evening. (Nigeria) 11-8, 11-3, 11-9. Gavin Cadet Open Everyone appeared to have Rumgay (Scotland) bt Marco Egerton Youth Centre, 3rd August benefited from the training, both Essomba (Surrey) 11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 2002 technically and socially, giving rise to 11-7; Final: Gergely Urban (Hungary) a lot of goodwill. I would like to bt Gavin Rumgay (Scotland) 12-10, Results: Junior Boys Singles: Winner congratulate all the English players on 12-10, 11-9; Women s singles (from - Ashley Nicholls (Sp), RU - Mark their attitude and industry; not only semi-finals): Helen Lower (Staffs) bt Davies (Ch); Junior Girls Singles: did they work very hard to inlprove Kubrat Owolabi (Middlesex) 11-8, 11­ Winner - Louise Proctor (La), RU ­ their abilities, but the attitude 5, 11-3. Joanna Parker (Surrey) bt Sally Smith (Dv); Cadet Boys Singles displayed made working with them a Barbara Kiss (Herts) 11-6, 12-10, 11­ Russell Nicholls (Sp), RU - Matthew delight. 8; Final: Helen Lower (Staffs) bt Dodds (Ys); Cadet Girls Singles: I believe that as well as for news and Joanna Parker (Surrey) 11-5, 11-5, 11­ Winner - Sally Smith (Dv), RU ­ views, Table Tennis News should be a 8; Men s doubles: Gergely Urban Cheryl Collier (St); Best Performance magazine of record. Therefore, I (Hungary)/Abdul Wuraola (Surrey) bt Boy - Andrew Davies (Ch); Best shall publish below some of the Gavin Rumgay/Niall Cameron Performance Girl- Emma Kelly (Ch) detailed major tournament results (Scotland) 11-7, 5-11 , 11-6, 11-9; from last season that could not be Women s doubles: Helen Lower Saudi-British Sports Co-operation fitted in the magazine at the time. (Staffs)/Kubrat Owolabi (Middlesex) Programme KM. bt Barbara Kiss (Herts)/Lindsey Table Tennis Thornton (Lanes) 11-5, 10-12, 7-11, National Senior Championships, 12-10, 11-9; Men sunder 21 singles: Coach Report by Derrick Marples. Sheffield, 2/3 March, 2002 Gavin Rumgay (Scotland) bt Rob Men s Singles: Quarter-finals: Pountney (Surrey) 11-8, 6-11, 11-8, The visit to Saudi Arabia took place Matthew Syed (Surrey) bt Bradley 12-10 ;Women sunder 21 singles: th from Tuesday 16 July until Monday Billington (Derbyshire) 11-9, 11-8, Joanna Parker (Surrey) bt Naomi th 29 July, and consisted of a part of 11-5, 11-7; Andrew Baggaley Owen (Wales) 10-12, 11-9, 14-12, 11­ seven junior and one senior player. (Buckinghamshire) bt Carl Prean (Isle 4; Veteran Men s Singles: Brian Johns Daniela Horner, Chris Gregory, of Wight) 9-11, 7-11, 11- 8, 12-10, (Cheshire) bt Chris Beckley (Surrey) Dominic Hall, Alex Green, Stephen 11-9, 11-7; Alex Perry (Devonshire) 11-7, 11-2, 11-6; Veteran Women s Denny, Simon Noutch, Martyn bt Dale Barham (Cambridgeshire) 11­ Singles: Jan Dunning (Worcs) bt Jane Clarke, Jason Sugrue. Together with 7, 10-12, 11-7, 11-9, 11-9 Durham (Cleveland) 8-11, 11-9, 11-5, Mike Lewis - Manager and Derrick Gareth Herbert (Berkshire) bt Terry 11-4; Men s band 1 singles: Bryn Marples - Coach. Young (Berkshire) 13-11, 11-8, 11-3, Drinkhall (Cleveland) bt Craig Bryant (Devon) 11-6,5-11,11-6,11-8; Men s Winner - Liam Thomas \Va); RU ­ 9.Guernsey B rd band 2 singles: Tony Isaac (Staffs) bt Harry Shahlaei (Eng): 3 - Peter Doubles Chris Beckley (Surrey) 11-7, 11-9, 6­ Graham (Ire)/Daniel Rees (Eng) 11, 11-8; Men s band 3 singles: Owen Cadet Girls Singles 14G - 1st England A (L Springthorpe Clutterbuck (Wales) bt Lee Davies Winner - Lauren Springthorpe (Eng); - GYarnley); 2nd - Wales (Wales) 11-6, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9. RU - Naomi Owen (Wa); 3r~ Sarah 14B - 1st:ngland A (H Shahlaei - D nd Men s band 4 singles: Mark Newns Perks (Eng)/Laura Rumgay (Sco) Rees) ; 2 - England B (R Rogerson (Oxon) bt Keith Lesser (Essex) 8-11, -R Wesley) 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-3; Men s band 5 Team Competition Final Places 16G - 1st:ngland A (G Chapman - N nd singles: Keith Bird (Derbys) bt James White); 2 - Scotland; ~ - England Brown (Yorks) 10-12, 11-3,2-11, 17­ Senior Boys B (C Graham - N Wilson) - Wales nd 15, 11-7; Men s band 6 singles: Tom I.Wales A 16B - 1sScotland; 2 - Ireland Filmer (Oxon) bt James Brown 2. Scotland A 18G - 1st:ngland B (K Ingham -C nd (Yorks) 13-11, 14-12, 11-8. 3.England A D. Hall- A. Green Wilson); 2 - England A (A Women s band 1 singles: Clare 4.1reland Sorrentino - K. Radford) nd Newns (Ches) bt Jane Durham 5.Wales B 18B - 1SWales; 2 - Wales ~d3 (Cleveland) 11-8, 11-6, 11-7; 6.1celand A England A (D Hall- A Green). Women s band 2 singles: Stephanie 7.England B G. Yarnall- S. Gibbs Matthew (Scot) bt Karin Eggar (Scot) 8.1celand B 11-8, 12-10, 15-13; Women s band 3 9. Scotland B PREMIER CLUB CONFERENCE, singles: Helen Parton (Devon) bt Gail 10.Guernsey 25TH MAY, JUDGED A HUGE Davey (Sussex) 8-11,11-9,13-15,11­ SUCCESS 8,12-10. Senior Girls nd I.England A A. Sorrention- The 2 National PremierClub PPP healthcare Commonwealth K. Radford Conference attended by over 110 (81 Masters, Wembley, 17 May 2002 2.England B K. Ingham - C. male, 20 female) delegates Results (from semi-finals); Matthew Wilson, D. Ha;ll representing 58 clubs, plus 50 players, Syed (England) bt Adam Robertson 3.Wales at the National Training Centre, (Wales) 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 8-11, 11-7; 4.1celand Holme Pierrepont National Water Duan Yong Jun (Singapore) bt Chetan 5.1reland Sports Centre, Nottingham on Baboor ( India) 11-6, 11-8, 11-7; 6.Guernsey Saturday 25th May, has been deemed a Final: Duan Yong Jun (Singapore) bt huge success following analysis of the Matthew Syed (England) 11-6, 9-11, Intermediate Boys evaluation forms. 11-6, 11-6; Under 12 challenge: I.England B C. Brown - H. Yueng There was a mix ofpresentations Darius Knight (Surrey) bt Paul 2.England A S. Marples - R. Lemon and workshops, led by Alan Ransome Drinkhall (Cleveland) 11-9, 12-10. 3.Scotland A (ETTA Chairman), Steen Kyst Hansen 4.1reland A (ETTA National Coach), Chris Earle 5.Wales A (Director, Institute of Youth Sport) Table Tennis Association of Wales 6.1reland B and ETTA staff (Richard Yule, Chief Cymdeithas Tenis Bwrdd Cymru 7.Wales B Executive; Diccon Gray, Director of British Schools Championship 8.Scotland B Development; Judy Rogers, National 28th_30th June 9.Guernsey Development Officer for People with Disabilities; and Jon Kaufman, Medals Intermediate Girls London Regional Development I.England A C. Chapman - N. White Officer all gave presentations to the Gold Silver Bronze 2.England B C. Grahanl - N. Wilson plenary session), with a feature being England 9 12 14 3.Scotland A a live interview of 5 times national Wales 7 2 11 4.Wales women s champion Nicola Deaton by Scotland 2 2 4 5.1reland Diccon. Peter Hirst, ETTA Director Ireland 0 2 4 6. Scotland B of Teaching & Training, led the junior Iceland 0 0 1 Cadet Boys players training session, with Steen I.Wales A Hansen giving a presentation on Individual Tournament 2.England A S. Rogerson - R. advanced level coaching and Ben Tan Senior Boys Wesley of the Youth Sport Trust taking them Winner - Adam Robertson (Wa) ; RU 3.England B H. Shahlaei - D. Rees ­ for a Lifestyle Management - Gavin Rumgay (Sco); 3rd - Owen B.Barlow Awareness workshop. An ETTA Griffiths (Wa)/Dominic Hall (Eng) 4.1reland travel subsidy was provided. Senior Girls 5.Wales B Winner - Annabelle Sorrentino (Eng); 6. Scotland Delegates feedback was overall very RU - Kerry Radford~ng(; 3rd - Katy 7.Guernsey B positive: Ingham (Eng)/Gemnla Thomas (Wa) 8.Guernsey A Intermediate Boys Cadet Girls Well presented, informative and Winner - Chris Brown (Eng); RU ­ 1. Wales A enjoyable. Inspired thought and John Murphy (Ire), 3rd - Robert 2.England A L. Springthorpe ­ future action. Lemon (Eng)/Stephen Gertsen (Wa) G. Yarnley Intermediate Girls 3.England B S. Wang - S. Perks - S. Thank you for an enjoyable and Winner - Nicola White (Eng); RU ­ Davis informative day. Well done. Gemma Chapnlan (Eng); 3rd - Naomi 4.Scotland A Wilson (Eng)/Laura Hall (Wa) 5.Scotland B Well worth the 400 mile round trip. Cadet Boys 6.Wales B 7.1reland 8.Guernsey A A very good day full of ideas to go Buckinghamshire. Tel: 01494 785609 second half of a video by the metal away with and implement. Thanks to (h). Fax: 01494 775414 (Mon-Fri). band P.O.D, for a track called Boom. all of you. E-mail: The theme of the video is totally table­ [email protected] tennis, with some good trick shots, Interview with Nicola Deaton (Mon-Fri). Completed team entries and (in keeping with the musical informative and well conducted. should be returned to him by 12th style) the P.O.D. guys winning against Septerrlber together with the Sweden, loads of arguing, and finally PremierClub national competition: a appropriate payment. Registered a big brawl. Good fun. great idea - so go for it! players will need a current Players Peter then added that more Licence - contact Doreen Nightingale information was available with However, there were some criticisms, at the ETTA office (Tel. 01424 photographs from the San Diego TTC mainly organisational and procedural: 722525) for details. newsletter (pages 6 and 7) on website The dates currently scheduled for this http://www.ttsd.org/newsletter2002­ Sessions too rushed - trying to pack season s competition are: Sunday 20 th 2.pdf' too much into the day?! October 2002, Sunday 15th December 2002, Sunday 9th March 2003 and A few paragraphs taken from a P.O.D Rushed - perhaps fewer sessions Sunday 23rd March, with the National fan website, April 11 th said: with more time for discussion. Final on Saturday 10th May. THIS WEEK - P.O.D. s new single Lunch was very nice but lunch Famous People Who Played Table BOOM hits radio as the #1 MOST facilities were non-existent. Tennis ADDED song!!

Domestic arrangements, i.e. booking Some anonymous person gave me Recently, in San Diego, P.O.D. took in and lunch, need speeding up. (KM) an un-referenced newspaper time out of their insane schedule to cutting from just before the film the BOOM video. MTV was also Venue too hot. Wimbledon tennis final in July, there to do a MAKING OF THE stating that the about to be champion, VIDEO...... which we expect to air ETTA Director of Development Lleyton Hewitt from Australia, has on MTV the end of the n10nth. Diccon Gray commented: been honing his competitive edge by A table tennis tournament sets the playing table tennis. Apparently he tone for the clip, which was filmed by Weare very encouraged by the and his Belgium girlfriend had been director Gavin Bowden (Red Hot response of the clubs who attended. regular visitors at house rented by his Chili Peppers, Lifehouse) Tuesday Clearly there is a tremendous amount management company, Octagon, a and Wednesday in San Diego. Set in of great development work going on few minutes drive from Centre Court, the Cox Arena, the quartet is shown at local level. This bodes well for a and played all-comers at table tennis. competing in the ping-pong play-offs bright future for table tennis. He s hot at that, too, the article against teams from China, Sweden Footnote: The PremierClub Club of claimed. and France. the Year awards scheme has received A full page colour photo of What you may not know is that a record entry of 37, with the regional attractive 15 year old new Russian P.O.D. invited BLINDSIDE to be the decisions having been made and tennis star Maria Sharapova in casual starring role opposite them in this presented, and the national awards to blouse and shorts, tapping a table video!! You won t beli~ve this video, be announced at the Awards Dinner tennis ball on a bat, with inset so be sure to stay tuned for the World on 7th September, during the ETTA photographs playing on a Stiga table, Premier on MTV . Coaches Conference, LilIeshall appeared at the front of a 3 page Rob Worrall also advised us about National Sports Centre. Of the 37 feature on her in the Mail On Sunday this video, pointing out that both the entries, 33 clubs declared comparative supplement, Night & Day on April band and the fictional Swedish membership figures for the seasons 21 st. opposition team were wearing the 2000/01°and 2001/02. 0 Of these, 30 A Daily Telegraph report stated that latest Butterfly gear. He also (out of 33) clubs had increased their New Zealand golfer Craig Perks, who mentioned that the other music-table membership in season 2001/02. 00 In had just won the Players tennis video being shown on MTV total, 331 clubs have now applied for Championship (PGA Tour) in Florida, was Kelly watch the stars by the Pren1ierCIub status. was a former New Zealand table group Air, showing two identical tennis champion. And Alan Blears girls playing each other and using the wishes to point out that former II-up scoring system. Peter Forrest Lancashire and England junior has previously informed us about this international Goeff Pullar was not 1990s video, but it is interesting that it only Lancashire s opening (cricket) is still being broadcast. bat, but also England s. Alan says On British TV (Channel 4 and lTV), that he has been told that arguably the Ramgarhia Club head coach Shu best batsman since Bradman, Sachia Huang has been one of the Chinese Tendulkar, plays a lot of table tennis women players appearing on the Ikea to sharpen his reactions and is very advertisement, playing on an Ikea good at it. However, he asks ifothers kitchen table with a wooden spoon as can confirm this. I have previously a bat. Nicola Deaton reported that Brian Lara plays table It was also interesting that one of tennis for the same reasons. our own, 1978 national champion Paul Peter Forrest, perhaps the most Day, made the national press (Sunday National Cadet League prolific contributor to this feature, e­ Times, 7th April) for, with his family, mailed the following on 24th July: I being the equal 432nd richest person in Mike Atkinson is the new organiser of don't n1ake a habit of watching the the country with an estimated £80m. the league and can be contacted at: 35 Kerrang satellite music channel, but However, Paul, a most unflashy, Poles Hill, Chesham HP5 2QR, my son dragged me in to see the modest living person, reinvests almost all the profits back into the family school that did no table tennis. University of Manchester Athletic business, Turners Transport of Soham, Murray sent Henry a bat to influence Union, Excellence in Sport and as part of the community will be him to join the flourishing club in Programme devastated by the tragic and evil Noosa, and get in a bit of practice murder of the local 10 year olds, before his next visit. The University of Manchester is the Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. latest university offering support services, expertise, facilities and Allen Roper Receives Hillingdon practical solutions to enable talented Achiever in Sport Award and committed students to combine study with competing and developing Allen Roper, the Wembley & Harrow in their chosen sport. The support League Development Officer, available for successful applicants received a Sports Coach of the Year includes individual cash grants of up silver salver from the Mayor of to £2,000, privileged access to Hillingdon, Cllr Catherine Dane, at University sports facilities, the Hillingdon Achievers in Sport physiotherapy, nutritional & presentation evening 22nd March. physiological assessments and direct Allen has been playing table tennis Lola links with professional sports clubs in since he was 15 and has been very Manchester. For further information, active as a coach in recent years. He contact Andrea Jones, Sport produces a great Hillingdon Table Johnny Leach Junior Development Officer, Tel. 0161 275 Tennis Newsletter. Two and a half 5304 website years ago he set up a club for juniors I read in the USA Table Tennis www.sport.man.ac.uk/excellence at Hayes Stadium which has grown Magazine (Nov/Dec 2001) of the very popular, and several members exploits of the namesake of our own Websites have represented the borough of 1949 and 1951 world champion, Hillingdon in the London Heathrow Johnnny Leach. The 12 year old Sport England have launched their Youth Games. Johnny Leach from Erie, Colorado, English Institute of Sport website At about the same time, Gary reached no 1 in the American under www.eis2win.co.uk which give the Howes and Nicola Howes of the Byng 12 ranking list at the beginning of general public, sport and the media an Hall TTC received similar volunteer 2001 and is apparently working on his insight into how to create an elite certificates from the Deputy Mayor defensive game. He has set his sights athlete. of Tunbridge Wells, Stan Ward, for on making the National team by The BBC has launched its online the work they had done with young 2004, and being in the Olympic team Sports Academy people in the conlnlunity over the last in 2008 , and has a talented 15 year www..co.uk/sportsacademy , 10 years. The editor is aware that old sister, Laura. designed to motivate and encourage these are only a few of the many future sporting stars of the 21 8t examples around the country where century. It is aimed specifically at table tennis stalwarts have received Nigerian Players Wishing To Play 10-20 year ·olds. Note that the their just recognition from local In England Grantham College Table Tennis authorities. Academy (15 hours a week coaching I have anxieties over the number of under head coach, Bradley Billington, enquiries I get on playing in England, former international player and as I do not know how I can help them. national coach) has website pages on: However, if you or your club may be www.grantham.ac.uk/Sports Ac/lnlag able to help, please read on: es/Table-home.htITll Tunde Adelodun is the manager of Durotimi Dorcas Strong, a Nigerian Bob Johnson reckons that the Oldham woman international who represented TTL e a g u e website her country at the Commonwealth www.tabletennis.co.uk and then click Games in Manchester. She wants to Oldham) is probably the most train and compete in England. For comprehensive website in the country! further information, contact Tunde: E­ mail: [email protected] Alan Roper receives his award Bayo Ifakiekiti (who may be the Bromsgrove, Redditch & District same or related to Tunde above, Table Tennis Association - The because his E-mail is First Fifty Years Junior Talent [email protected] ), looks after the interests of who he says is the John Bromhead, a retired librarian, is Murray Glover, Gen. Sec. Staines Nigerian no.3 woman, Anike the author of this very thoroughly DTTL and quite a mean photographer Durotimi, who also was in the researched and referenced 135 page himself, in April sent me this cheeky Nigerian Commonwealth squad and history of the Bromsgrove, Redditch and charming picture of his Aussie would like to play for a club in & DTT Association, and while it is granddaughter, Lola ( born during the England. daunting in its detail (with so much Sydney Olympics, and thus named Joe Adebayo ( bay0999@yahoo) information on players and Lola Olympia Glover! ), taken by his has just made a general plea for personalities, teams and clubs over the son, Henry at their home in Sunshine English clubs to help fix up talented 50 years) it remains well written Beach, Queensland. Henry was Nigerian players in clubs and throughout and with many interesting apparently one of the top Surrey under competition. asides. John has the knack both of 14s in 1981, but then gave up looking minutely at the very competitive play when going to a particular, but at the same time being able to see the wider context, and while locals will be fascinated by the MUHR S MEMO: Information of the Games, the first, on being in the inside knowledge, I enjoyed his Officer Messages from Ken Muhr Games Village, appearing on the front insights on the broader picture - e.g. news page of The Thunderer on 27 th how our sport is doing and how others July. Although John Woodford kept perceive us. It in the end, this limited Short of time and space with so much up constant Daily Telegraph reports, edition book confirms what we to say from a period (leading up to the biggest day to day coverage on the already know: table tennis is about the and including the Commonwealth table tennis was Richard Eaton s people who play and administer it, and Games) when we have had our best reports, plus the results service, in The everyone is important in his or her media coverage for several years: I Times (Richard also had some reports way. just cannot begin to do justice in this in The Guardian). edition. Most of the nationals carried results, If, apart from a near full page and reports on the table tennis at key Commonwealth Table Tennis feature by Matthew Syed in The times. Matthew Syed got most History 1971 - 2000 Times, national newspaper coverage headlines and was featured in The for the PPP heal the are Independent. However, other English It has often been difficult to find out Commonwealth Masters at Wembley players also received attention. For information on Commonwealth table on 17th May, was a little disappointing example, most (even the Sun - again!) tennis, particularly on all the in number of words devoted, national focussed on Alex Perry, who, on his Commonwealth Chanlpionships held radio made up for this (Matthew was 27th birthday, took the decisive singles under the auspices of the interviewed on most national and against Nigeria to give England the Commonwealth TT Federation since major London stations) and the 1 hour team gold. And Andrew Baggaley the inaugural championships in 10 minutes of excellent and generally and Gareth Herbert got appropriate Singapore in 1971, but now, just has well received exposure on BBC attention for their doubles triumph. table tennis has been featured for the terrestrial TV (Grandstand) was the The papers as usual also homed in on first time in the (Manchester) real prize. There was also excellent controversy, particularly Johnny Commonwealth Games, this has been coverage in the ethnic press and Huang s dispute over an Adam rectified in this fat A4 publication. websites, as well as local media Robertson serve in the men s doubles, As the current CTTF Chairnlan Alan coverage. and (contrived) photograph, originally Ransome acknowledges in his Several table tennis people - I noted printed in the Sunday Express, forward, thanks should go, Des Douglas, Dominic Hall, Helen purporting to show Prince Edward particularly to Margaret Walden of Lower, Adam/Don/Gill/Katie Parker (Earl of Wessex) and Sophie Canada who has undertaken the and Mike Wilson, but I am sure there (Countess) bored at the table tennis ­ majority of the research and were others - ran in the Queens No fun at the Games. documentation for this publication, to Jubilee Baton Relay. We also got Those able to get BBC Digital TV Keith Bowler of Australia and the late much national newspaper coverage in could watch table tennis continuously, Denis George of Scotland, and to the build up to the Commonwealth but their coverage of the table tennis Detlev and Sheila von Nottbeck of Games: for example, a quality feature, on terrestrial TV was disappointing in Canada for their valuable An Unlikely Hero, by Howard the first few days compared with other

typographical assistance. Really, Jacobson on Matthew Syed, in the sports, I but thereafter improved virtually everything is included from Independent on Sunday; a quirkish 4 considerably - as a result of consumer statistical information on results and page feature by Will Buckley on Katie complaints? The website coverage tournaments, to minutes and decisions Parker in the Observer Sport monthly on www.commonwealthgames.com of the nlain meetings and recognition magazine in which he mentioned that and on the own of the most significant officials. Henry Miller (writer), Bobby Fischer www.bbc.uk/sport3/commonwealthga Probably the only major omission I (chess master) and Chairman Mao all mes2002 was generally pretty good, (KM) could see is profiles of the most played and referred to many stars of although, regarding the latter, some significant players: the history is from the pimple bat era but no-one current; TT fans were irritated that we were an official s perspective and the and one on Nicola Deaton in the included amongst other sports rather circulation is limited to officials and Independent. Andrew Baggaley, then having our own sport specific official organisations. looking like a pin-up, was featured in billing. Another niggling omission is the the Express, Independent, Sunday I apologise for only being able to lack of a CTTF contact point (no Times and in the Sun! Quite a coup, mention a tiny fraction of the Games designated name, address, telephone, the latter - a success for the Baggaley media coverage, let alone anything fax or e-mail etc.) published in the family publicity machine (?) because I else. But finally, I slip in mention of book. Presumably those who receive had given up on the Sun. Kate two amusing/trivia items: a copies of this book know who to Steward was televised at a launch of photograph of a bat wielding contact and how! However, there is the Games stamps. All the England Sunderland TT Closed winner Dave an e-mail contact ( [email protected] ) players, I am sure got good local Godbold, Champion Godbold, in the new but under publicised and exposure. sharing top of the page billing in the visited website www.cwttf.org I There is just too much I could say Sunderland Echo with David know that the Commonwealth Table about media attention during the Beckham; and an Observer (14.4.02) Tennis Federation is run by actual Games - even in Hastings, mention of a Franz Kurzbauer volunteers, but they should promote during and immediately following Austrian table tennis champion 1950­ themselves more! To conclude, this them, I constantly had national (and 53, resident of Vienna homeless history is welcome, and it is pleasing regional) radio, TV and newspaper hostel, about to close, which Adolf that the intention is to keep it up to journalists on to me asking for Hitler was a former inmate of in his date. information and wanting to contact, in failed artist down-and-out years. particular, Matthew Syed, Gareth Herbert, Alex Perry, Andrew Baggaley, Nicola Deaton and Katie Parker. Mathew Syed wrote 3 big pieces for The Times over the period ,.,.. EMAIL POLL • alYE USYOUR YIEWS

By the time this magazine drops onto your doormat the new service rule will be in place. (Effective from the Ist Sept.02) This will affect all players from local league to top internationals like Gareth Herbert and Terry Young, England's two most effective servers, with Herbert being probably the best in the world.(Detaiis of new rule on page 18). Are you for it or against it? Will it be better for the sport as a whole, you can have your say by voting in this email poll. Table Tennis News invites you to email us.AII you need to do is type 'For GARETH new rule' or 'Against new rule', in HERBERT the "Subject" box, and email us at: [email protected] one vote per person Ion.., Announcing a new Visa card APPLY rtODAY for table tennis players. For more details and an application fonn, call FREE on A reasonable interest rate. fir,~t 0800 776262. No annual fee for your two years. QUOTING REF: BT06 Plus the chance to raise funds for the English The lines are open 24 hours ada:. ~e\'en da:-s aweek. Table Tennis Association at no extra cost to you. .\Itemati\'ely. return the coupon below to: EITAVisa Card Applications.•UBI~ Internationnl No\v you can sho\v your support for table tennis Banlc lid, PO Bot 1048. FREEPOST. Chester CH49ZZ. \vherever you go - \vith the ETTA's exclusive 10\\1­ interest Visa credit card, issued bv ~lBNA Ir------, Please send me full details about the new I lore-interest ErrAVisa Card (0 International Bank Ltd. ' o (~lr/rv1rs/~liss/~ls) ~ The card brings you significant financial Xanw: advantages. But it also helps us raise lTIOney to prOlTIote the sport - at no extra cost to you! \V'e receive a rovaltv frolTI MBNA for everv ne\v cardholder,~plu'~ ongoing income eve~! tiTne you Address: _ Blake purchases on your EllA Visa card...... """n•••••,.••'lltDt ~TTd

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I A LOOK A" "HE MEW SERYICE RULE

AT ONE TIME service was regarded be able to see it that it is resting freely on just as a means of putting the ball New Service Rule effective I September 2002, as approved the paln1 of the server's free hand, that it into play. Serving in such a way as at the ITTF's AGM on 5 April 2002 in Zagreb, : is projected near-vertically at least 16 cm, to score a point directly would that it is not struck until it is falling and probably have been regarded as 2.6 A GOOD SERVICE that when struck it is behind the server's unsporting, but this soon changed, 2.6.1 Service shall start with the ball resting freely on the end line. If the umpire can see the ball writes Colin Clemett. open palm of the server's stationary free hand. clearly at all these stages, it should not be Ever since, players have continually 2.6.2 The server shall then project the ball near vertically too difficult to decide also whether or sought ways of gaining an advantage upwards, without imparting spin, so that it rises at least not the server is hiding the ball from the through serving, and each time this receiver, especially if players make sure advantage appeared to be too great the 16cm after leaving the palm of the free hand and then falls that the free arm is well above or well legislators have tried to devise ways of without touching anything before being struck. below the receiver's line of sight to the controlling it. Thus the devastating 2.6.3 As the ball is falling the server shall strike it so that it ball. There remains the risk that, with finger-spin services of the 30s were touches first his court and then, after passing over or around only an umpire offiCiating, a service tamed by the introduction of the "flat the net assembly, touches directly the receiver's court; in which is clearly legal when the player is hand" rule. Later, the extra speed and doubles, the ball shall touch successively the right half court at one end of the table may not appear spin by gained by throwing the ball of server and receiver. so when he or she is at the other. sideways on to the racket were outlawed 2.6.4 From the start of service until it is struck, the However, it is at least possible that, in by requiring the ball to be thrown near­ ball shall be above the level of the playing surface order to comply with the requirements of vertically upwards and to be falling when the new law, servers will not stand with struck. The introduction of the and behind the server's end line, and it shall not be the body turned as far sideways as many combination racket led to the "red-black" hidden from the receiver by any part of the body or of them have been used to, and this rule, to enable the receiver to see which clothing of the server or his doubles partner. would greatly ease the task of an umpire side of the racket was used to strike the 2.6.5 It is the responsibility of the player to serve so that the working without an assistant. ball. This in turn prompted players to umpire or the assistant umpire can see that he complies There are two other differences conceal the ball by striking it behind the with the requirements for a good service. between the new law and the old one, body, and this was countered by 2.6.5.1 If there is no Assistant Umpire, and the umpire is both intended as simplifications. First, restricting the space within which the doubtful of the legality of a service he may, on the first there is now no requirement for the ball could be struck. More recently, occasion in a match, warn the server without awarding a server's free hand to be flat at the start of servers have taken to shielding the ball at service. What the umpire has to ensure the moment of striking by shielding it point. is that the hand is open, with the ball with the free arn1 or shoulder, and it is 2.6.5.2 If subsequently in the match a service by that player resting freely on it, rather than just this action that the revised service law is or his doubles partner is of dubious legality, for the same conforming to a particular geometrical designed to prevent. reason or for any other reason, the receiver shall score a shape which is, in any case, not really It is easy to over-react and to make laws point. possible. Second, the racket need not be too restrictive. There should be no 2.6.5.3 Whenever there is a clear failure to comply with the above the level of the playing surface objection to a clever server gaining some requirements for a good service, no warning shall be given throughout service, although it obviously benefit from his or her skill, but it is not and the receiver shall score a point. must be when the ball is struck. When good for players or spectators if the 2.6.6. Exceptionally, the umpire may relax the requirements the working party set up to revise the advantage is so overwhelming that the service law asked a number of players majority of rallies are over in one, or at for a good service where he is satisfied that compliance is how important it was for the racket to be best three, strokes. The challenge is to prevented by physical disability. above table level, the almost universal devise a law which will give the receiver a view was that it did not matter provided fair chance of returning the ball while still that the ball, and hence the racket, was allowing the server some scope for clearly visible at the moment of striking. exploiting his or her ingenuity. This may clear. The final version of the law, which the ball from the receiver. This is not These changes will have to be kept under be why the often-proposed principle of was agreed at the 2002 ITTF AGM, easy from a position at the side of the review but it is to be hoped that the law requiring the ball to be struck between abandons this concept in favour of a table, but it is probably less difficult than can be kept as simple as possible. the server's body and the end line has simpler statement of the law's intention. judging whether the ball is struck behind It would be foolish to pretend that the not attracted sufficient support to be The essential requirement is that the the rearmost part of the server's body, new law is perfect and it may well be adopted, because it would virtually server, and in doubles the server's which the umpire has been required to necessary to make adjustments over the preclude any advantage to the server. partner, must do nothing which would do since 1983. It is, of course, easier next few years as experience is gained. The aim of the new law is to redress the prevent the receiver from seeing the ball when there is an assistant umpire. If But at least it tries to address what is balance between server and receiver from the start of service until it is struck. either official believes that the ball is seen as a serious problem without without removing entirely the server's If the receiver can see the trajectory of hidden from the receiver by any part of placing inordinate demands on players to advantage. The original wording, the ball, the side of the racket with which the body or clothing of the server or the modify their game or on umpires to submitted to the 2001 ITTF AGM, it is struck and the direction in which the server's doubles partner, the service is attempt the impossible. With so many referred to a triangular area bounded by racket is moving, he or she can judge the illegal and the receiver scores a point. suggestions for improving the service law the net and two imaginary lines between effect on the ball and the contest Under another change made to the having been put forward, it is not the ends of the net and the ball, and the becomes more even. (It should be noted service law at the 2002 ITTF AGM, no surprising that some of those whose pet requirement was that this area and all the that this is not quite the same as saying warning can be given when there are two ideas have not been adopted are not space above it must be kept completely that the ball must be visible to the umpires; a service is either legal or wholly enthusiastic about this version. clear during service. It was soon receiver. It could be hidden by, for illegal, and it is the responsibility of the However, it is worth remembering that recognised that this was an unnecessary example, the receiver's doubles partner player to serve so that it can be seen to the proposal did attract a substantial limitation, and that anything which was or, to take an extreme case, the receiver be correct. majority of the votes at the ITTF AGM, above the height at which it might may deliberately stand in a position from In the much more usual situation where and it is up to players and officials to do impede the receiver's view of the ball which the ball is not visible and then try the umpire is operating alone, the their best to make it work effectively. If could be ignored. The wording was, to claim a point. Such actions are not provision for a warning is retained, successful, it should allay much of the therefore, amended but the resulting law under the control of the server, who although the onus is still on the player to present concern about the dominance of still looked complicated and many should not be penalised for them.) be seen to serve legally. Although there service and this would enhance the sport people found it difficult to visualise the For the umpire the task is to judge is no specific requirement for the ball to for the benefit both of those who play hypothetical space which had to be kept whether the serving player or pair hides be visible to the umpire, he or she must and of those who watch. I • WORLD YE,.ERAMS CHAMPIOMSHIPS

ENGLISH players returned with 4 Partnering Reina Wetterstrom Waltraut Zehne. Herbert Neubauer (Switzerland) in gold medals (5 gold medals if (Sweden), Pam Butcher was an Other English bronze doubles the men's over 50s; Doris Penny you count individually the unlucky losing women's over 70 medallists were: Brian Allison (Surrey) with Betty Gray (Wales) in people who won them) from the doubles finalist, going down very (Lincolnshire)!Keith Powell the women's over 80s; and Edna World Veterans' Championships narrowly, 7-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 10-12 (Yorkshire) in the men's over 60s; Fletcher with Elliska Ktsjcova (Czech in Lucerne, Switzerland, from to Germans Martha Wilke and Nigel Eckersley (Sussex) with Dr Republic) in the women's over 70s. 24·29 June, which had 2,700 participants. The English players did particularly well in ~'f". the older age group categories. ~ Les Darcy (Yorkshire) won the MEMBERSHIP men's over 80 singles, by defeating Express Takumi Kono Oapan) 11-5, 11-3,11­ by\\~~l'\Y\: 5. Kono had put out Ron Etheridge OFFER (Kent) 11-5, 11-7, 11-8 in the semi­ finals. Edna Fletcher (Norfolk) Stay at Express by Holiday Inn® for just £39 per room outside became women's over 75 singles London and just £69 per room in London and Liverpool both champion with her 11-9,11-2,11-6 including continental breakfast win over Sonia Fynn of Canada. (Friday - Sunday inclusive) Derek Schofield (Cheshire) was the silver medallist in the men's over 70 We've teamed up with Express by Holiday Inn® to offer all "English Table singles, losing 1-11, 2-11, 7-11 to Tennis Association" members an exclusive accommodation rate. Sweden's George Karlsson, who had put out Fred Lockwood (Essex) 11-9, 11-6, 11-4 in the semi-finals. Pam Butcher (Kent) had lost 11-6, 9-11, 1­ 11, 9-11 at the same (semi-final)

From just £39 per room you stage to the ultimate gold medallist, could be relaxing in a modern, Akiko Tosa Oapan), in the spacious room equipped with all corresponding women's over 70 mod cons including Sky ~ power singles. shower and tea & coffee making Ron Etheridge combined with Louis facilities. We have family rooms for Ramel (Switzerland) to take gold in up to 2 adults and 2 children at "'the men's over 80 doubles, defeating no extra charge. And we've made the English pair Les Darcy and John sure there's always a family pub or Husbands (Buckinghamshire) in the restaurant either next to your final. Another English partnership hotel, or close by. Don't forget a of Geoffrey Brook (Yorkshire) and superb continental buffet Henry Buist (Kent) lifted the men's breakfast is also included in your over 65 doubles with their 11-9, 11-4, room rate! 11-9 triumph over Ernst Wagner To book call 0800 40 SO 60 quoting (Austria) and Dieter Lauk (Germany). "Express Reader Offer"and "English Table Tennis Association" Derek Schofield reached a second final when with Uno Hedin (Sweden) Terms & Conditions This special offer is valid between June 2002 and November 2002. Rates are per room per night, he overcame the Surrey pairing of from Friday to Sunday inclusive. Rates are valid for up to 2 adults and 2 children (up to the age of John Harrington & Michael Willimott 19 years) sharing a room. Rates include complimentary continental buffet breakfast for all room 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 in the men's over 70 occupants.These rates are not available in conjunction with any other offer, discount or doubles semi-finals. The promotion. A minimum 2 night stay may apply at some hotels. *These hotels are available for £69 per room per night Fri-Sun inciusive.AII rates are subject to availability at the time of booking as English/Swedish combination then there is a limited allocation of rooms available for this promotion. fell 6-11, 9-11, 6-11 to Swedes George Karlsson &Glenn Kindsladt. Further exclusive offers for E.TTA licence holders • I SOUWH EASWERII OPEII BUWWERFLY GRAIID PRIX

THE 3rd seeded Jason Sugrue 6, 11-8, 14-12. world's best exponents of 'hard bat (Middlesex) was the surprise Sofia Westholn1e, made amends for pimples', Henry Buist (Kent), 67, men's singles winner of the her semi-final exit in the women's who took Carthy to 16-14,11-7, South Eastern Open Butterfly singles when she fairly comfortably 14-12! Grand Prix, Black Lion Leisure took the under 21 singles, putting Local junior John Harley was the Centre, Gillingham. In the fmal out England cadet girls Lauren Spink only Kentish title winner of a banded Sugrue, a former England junior 11-8, 12-10 in the semi-finals and singles. In the band 5 men's singles international with aspirations of Abigail Embling (Essex) 11-7, 11-5,9­ final Harley contained the left­ playing for Ireland, overcame 11, 11-9 in the final. handed power of Nigerian Ayoade the powerful two wing topspins Peter Cleminson (Essex) was the Ademakinwa (Essex) to win 11-7,3­ of Hungarian student Gergely surprise winner of the men's under 11, 11-7, 11-9. However, the battling Urban, the second seed, 12·10, 21 singles. Ranked nO.11 junior in Harley was fortunate to reach the 8·11, 11·13, 11·8, 11·9, with England, he narrowly beat top seed final, having lost to Gary Wilson fierce attack of his own, and England no.3 junior, Craig (Sussex) in the groups, struggling combined with excellent serves Bryant (Devon), 11-7, 15-17, 11-6,8­ through 5 setters with Alistair and blocking play all round the 11,12-10 in an exciting semi-final, Dawson (Herefordshire) and Earl table. He won a crucial point at before putting out James Whiteman Sweeney (Warwickshire) in the 8 all in the deciding game with a (Devon) 11-6, 11-5,8-11,11-7 in the earlier rounds, and saving 6 match clean ace serve that left his final. points before putting out Kent opponent stranded, writes Ken The 2001 national veteran (over 40) colleague Richard Oppenheim 6-11, Muhr. champion Clive Carthy (Essex) won 11-9,8-11, 15-13, 11-8 in the quarter­ In the quarter-finals Sugrue had the veteran men's Singles, but was finals. Harley had also reached the comfortably beaten local star made to work hard by one the band 4 singles final, before being Dominic Hall (Kent), 11-6, 12-10, defeated 11-6, 11-4, 11-13, 11-8 by 11-6, Hall having outgunned the fifth Paul Jablon (Middlesex), while seed, England junior champion Matt 4, 11-7 to lift the women's singles. Ademakinwa got consolation by Kenny (Yorks) 11-8, 11-9, 11-9 in the Seeded 2nd, she had a tougher time lifting the band 6 singles with his 5 previous round. Sugrue then edged in the semi-finals when matched for game defeat of Peter Barrow through his (British League speed by the left-handed 4th seed (Surrey). ' ChampionsyLondon Progress Club Lindsey Thornton (Lanes), Kiss finally The big shock of the women's band colleague Marco Essomba (Surrey), winning 7-11,11-7,6-11,11-6, 11-7. 1 singles was the quarter-final 8-11, the top seed, 11-8,5-11,7-11,11-4, In the other semi-final, Owolabi had 11-9, 13-11, 8-11, 11-9 loss of top 11-9 in the semi-finals. Urban demonstrated too much forehand seed Rose Rainton, the Sussex senior reached the final by putting out topspin power for the Swedish top no. 1, to the England no.4 under14, another former England junior seed, Sofia Westholme, coming Gemma Yarnley (Kent). But then international, Adrian Moore (Sussex), through 11-6,11-7,9-11,11-4. Yarnley fell in the semi-finals to 11-9, 11-7, 11-5. To reach the semis, The biggest shock in the women's Lauren Spink, who in turn was Moore had survived a 3rd round epic singles came when (2nd round) the beaten 12-10,8-11,11-6,11-5 by (11-4,10-12,12-10,10-12,11-9) with England no.2 under 14 girl Lauren Becky Fisher (Middlesex) in the final. the England junior no.4 Gregory Spink (Norfolk) put out 5th seed The women's band 3 final was fought Baker (Warwicks), before knocking Dorka Nagy, 11-5, 12-10, 11-13,7-11, by junior girls, Claire Wilson out 4th seed Cris Sladden (Essex), 11-9. Spink played punched (Durham) getting the narrowest 11-6,9-11,6-11,11-5,11-6 in the backhands and strong forehand verdict, 11-9,5-11,8-11,11-3,12-10, quarter-finals. loops to pressure the Hungarian, and over Jo Hubbard (Kent) Barbara Kiss (Herts) outplayed showed great resilience in winning Kubrat Owolabi (Middlesex) 11-7,11­ the match on her 7th match point RESULTS after failing to capitalise on 4 match Men's singles: (from semi-finals): points in the 3rd game. However, Jason Sugrue (Middlesex) bt Marco the youngster found Barbara Kiss too Essomba (Surrey) 11-8,5-11,7-11,11­ strong in the quarter-finals. 4, 11-9. Gergely Urban (Hungary) bt Barbara Kiss combined with Lindsey Adrian Moore (Sussex) 11-9, 11-7, Thornton to take a second title when 11-5. Final: Jason Sugrue bt Gergely they beat Kubrat Owolabi and Dorka Urban (Hungary) 12-10,8-11,11-13, Nagy 11-3, 11-8, 11-9 to win the 11-8, 11-9 women's doubles. In the men's Women's singles: (from semi­ doubles Gergely Urban and Abdul finals): Kubrat Owolabi (Middlesex) Wuraola (Surrey) defeated the bt Sofia Westholme (Sweden) 11-6, London Progress Club pair of Marco 11-7,9-11,11-4. Barbara Kiss Essomba and Jason Sugrue 5-11,11­ (Herts) bt Lindsey Thornton (Lanes) SE 2 The following Policy document was approved by the National Council at their meeting on Saturday 20th July, 2002:­ NATIONAL TRIALS AND JUNIOR/CADET MASTERS

POLICY FOR SEASON 2002-2003 Junior Select 4 Star Tournaments The top 10 Junior Boys The top 10 Junior Girls These are confirmed as follows:­ The top 10 Cadet Boys The top 10 Cadet Girls Essex, 28th/29th September, 2002 - Entries to Mr. Phil Gower, 63 Heybridge Road, Ingatestone, Essex CM4 The position on the August National Ranking List will apply. 9AQ. Telephone: 01277353174. Closing date: 1st September, 2002. At the conclusion of the Final Regional Trials the following East Midlands, 26th/27th October, 2002 - Entries to players will receive an invitation to the National Trials:­ Mr. Steve Welch, 48 Church Lane, Laceby, Grimsby DN37 Kent's hard working HE.NRY 7BW. Telephone: 01472870368. Closing date: 28th Junior Boys - Top 5 players from each region plus the 4 BUIST September, 2002. highest nationally ranked Stockton-on-Tees, 16th/17th November, 2002­ reserves from any of the regional lists 7-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6, 11-7. Junior Girls - ) Final: Barbara Kiss (Herts) bt Kubrat Entries to Mr. Dave Hutchinson, 5Thompsons Close, Wolviston, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees TS22 5LR. Cadet Boys - ) as above Owolabi (Middlesex) 11-7, 11-4, 11-7. Telephone: 01740644447. Closing date: 11th October, Cadet Girls - ) Men's doubles: Gergely Urban 2002. (Hungary)/Abdul Wuraola (Surrey) bt Stiga Blackpool, 11th/12th january, 2003 - Entries to The ranking list to determine the reserves will be the one Mareo Essomba (Surrey);Jason Mr. Martin Ireland, 18 St. Luke's Road, Blackpool FY4 2E]. published in December, which should include all the results Sugrue (Middlesex) 5-11, 11-6, 11-8, Telephone: 01253 313196. Closing date: 6th December, from the Regional Trials. 14-12 2002. Women's doubles: Barbara Kiss Derby, 8th/9th March, 2003 - Entries to Mr. Brian Confirmed dates:­ Webster, 141 Station Road, Mickleover, Derby DE3 5FL. (Herts)/Lindsey Thornton (Lanes) bt junior/Cadet Preliminary Trials Kubrat Owolabi (Middlesex)/Dorka Telephone: 01332 518007. Closing date: 1st February, 2003. 21st/22nd Septerrlber, 2002 Nagy (Hungary) 11-3, 11-8, 11-9 junior/Cadet Regional Trials Women's under 21 singles: Sofia There will be NO automatic entry into the Junior and 23rd/24th November, 2002 Westholme (Sweden) bt Abigail Cadet Masters. Players will qualify via the National Trials or junior/Cadet National Trials Embling (Essex) 11-7, 11-5,9-11, 11-9 via points accrued from the Select Tournaments. Players 22nd/23rd February, 2003. Men's under 21 singles: Peter funded via the World Class Performance Cleminson (Essex) bt James Programme will be directed by the Performance Junior and Cadet Masters Whiteman (Devon) 11-6,11-5,8-11, Director to play in at least 3 of the 5 Select Toumaments. (Exceptions to this will only be for players It has been decided to retain invitations to 16 players and to 11-7 continue with a two day event being played in two stages. Veteran men's singles: Clive on International duty or playing in other such events as agreed by the Performance Director). The first stage will consist t)f two groups of 8 players (7 Carthy (Essex) bt Henry Buist (Kent) matches each) all on the first day. The two players who 16-14, 11-7, 14-12 The top eight points winners from the Select finish 7th and 8th will be eliminated. Th~ top six players in Veteran women's singles: Winner Tournaments, providing they play in at least three, each group will qualify for the second stage on day two. All - Judy Morley (Gloues); Runner-up­ plus the eight highest players from the National Trials, will results recorded by the players who qualify for the second Tina Stewart (Kent) be invited to the Masters. stage will be carried forward from the first stage and will Men's singles band 1: Leeroy Pye count in the final 12 player league table. All of the players in (Norfolk) bt Abdul Wuraola (Surrey) The Select Tournaments will again be subject to a points the final 12, who did not play each other in the first stage, system as follows:­ will play in stage 2, so producing an all play all final league 11-8,11-9,13-15,11-5 table. All the players who qualify for the second stage of the Men's singles band 2: John Winners 150 points competition will, therefore, play six matches each on the Dennison (Essex) bt Simon Philipsz Runners-up 100 points second day. (Kent) 11-8,12-10,11-7 Losing Sen1i-Finalists 50 points Men's singles band 3: Keith Lesser Losing Quarter-Finalists 25 points Reserve lists will be produced on completion of the National (Essex) bt Roy Norton (Wores) 10-12, Losing last Sixteen 15 points. Trials from players eliminated in the last 16 of each event. 11-5 11-7 9-11 11-8 Any vacancies in the Masters, either occurring through dual Me~'s s~gles'band 4: Paul Jablon In the event of a tie on points gained from the five 4 Star qualification or non-acceptance of invitation, will be filled (Middlesex) btJohn Harley (Kent) Select Tournaments, the positions for entry into the from the relevant reserve list in National Ranking order using Masters will be decided by the placings on the latest ETTA the list published in March which should include all the 11-6,11-4,11-13,11-8 results from the National Trials. Men's singles band 5: John Harley Ranking List. This will be the one that comes out in March. (Kent) bt Ayoade Ademakinwa Arunning total record will be kept by Doreen Nightingale Confirmed dates:­ (Essex) 11-7,3-11,11-7,11-9 at Head Office and will also be available on the ETTA Men's singles band 6: Ayoade website. junior Masters 5th/6th April, 2003 Ademakinwa (Essex) bt Pete Barrow Cadet Masters 12th/13th April, 2003. (Surrey) 8-11,11-5,6-11.11-8,11-7 Regional and National Trials Women's singles band 1: Beeky All this information will be published on the ETTA website. Fisher (Middlesex) bt Lauren Spink Exempt players (Norfolk) 12-10,8-11, 11-6, 11-5 Women's singles band 2: Tamar The following players, as ranked on the August, 2002 National Ranking List will be exempt from the Regional KEITH PONTING Seymour (Oxon) btJaekie Mersh Trials and will receive an automatic invitation to the Vice-Chairman (Competitions). (Kent) 11-6,8-11,11-8,12-10 National Trials: Women's singles band 3: Claire Wilson (Durham) btJo Hubbard (Kent) 11-9,5-11,8-11, 11-3, 12-10 • S I BAIfSKILLS

BATSKILLS - 'The Fun Way To Learn teacher could occupy 50+ children at a control in directing the ball in services or Table Tennis Skills'. Reviewed by time in the circuit! With the commercial in returns to the feeder. Ken Muhr. possibilities of the games becoming The Rally Lines - fully extendible and In july I visited a school, Ryelands apparent, the Head of Design adjustable lines that can be placed Middle, in Northampton to try out for Technology at Ryelands, john Francklow, anywhere on the table - can be used to myself the new range of Batskills skills produced attractive prototypes which mark offllimit playing space (the part of games that have been devised and were taken to various companies with a the table that the player is allowed to hit introduced, 'not only to improve skill view to bulk production, whilst together NICOLA DEATON receiving the ball to), so that precision of level while having fun, but also to attract with Dave's son Andrew, an expert in service through the target placement can be further improved. and retain players in competition with website design - see www.batskills.com­ For example, by excluding the rest of the more popular sports'. I was following an Dave, Peter and john formed the table, players can be encouraged to angle illustrious path because 5 times national company Batskills Ltd. drives wide of the table corner. The women's champion, Nicola Deaton, had And so on Sunday morning 21st july, I game is such a simple but ingenious playing surface of the table can also be already been to the school to coach and met up at the school with Dave and concept! The 9 targets are also very reduced, say to two thirds, so, for to test the games. Peter, both bubbling with enthusiasm for valuable for practising service. Indeed, example, only forehand strokes can be First, a bit of history given to me by the table tennis and justifiably proud of their practising hitting to all the squares played in games, to improve mobility and inventor of the games, Dave Rees. Dave products, to see and try out Batskills for (except the middle one) would be useful anticipation. Batskills are also marketing qualified as a table tennis coach in 1997 ­ myself. I was impressed! The 'other for a range of shots. Spots as smaller targets that can be he is now Northamptonshire County sport based' targets are eye-catching and That is really the point about these placed on the table to increase Coaching Officer -and in order to very attractively produced, and, with targets - they can be used flexibly. As concentration and thereby control in provide enjoyment and to hold Peter serving to me and insisting I start the blurb on the Batskills brochure says, training exercises. youngsters' interest in competition with from a ready position, I found myself, "Changing the position of the targets on Batskills are working closely with the other sports, he constructed a series of motivated and fiercely concentrating, the table can provide a challenge Youth Sport Trust to ensure that the on-the-table targets based on other trying hard to hit them. whatever your level and careful games can be used by people of all sports: a football goal, a basketball net, There were two ways you can try to hit positioning of the targets develops abilities, and some of the targets can be rugby posts, an archery target, a golf the ball into the Football net target, accurate placement of strokes. Each of used alongside Polybat equipment. Each green and flag, cricket stumps and finally either straight in before/as the ball the targets has been designed to relatively inexpensive gan1e is approved a horse jump. He also introduced a bounces, or (when the target is at the encourage accuracy with a variety of by the ETTA and comes with a coaching separate game of 'Noughts and Crosses', end of the table), on the second bounce, strokes, and the variety of different card, on Top Sport lines, suggesting in which two teams, each with a pile of as with a short (touch) push or service. targets available allows a large number of teaching points and differentiated skills noughts or crosses, competed to return With the Basketball hoop, the ball can go players to be meaningfully occupied practice ideas. In fact, I see Batskills as his serves into the appropriate box [of straight into the hoop, or in on the whilst developing skills in a coaching or something of an extension of Top Sport, nine boxes] on his side of the net in rebound from the board behind the teaching situation." and I know that Dave and Peter are order to complete a line of three noughts hoop: either way, it is easier (but not I said that the Noughts and Crosses idea constantly dreaming up new innovations. or crosses. The children were clearly easy!) if you push. The challenge (for was ingenious, but even more so are the Batskills are official suppliers of the motivated by the games, and their me) with the Archery target was to drive Rally Games accessories, which could be ETTA. control in serving or in playing basic the ball through the (hollow) middle but invaluable for coaching. By raising the Batskills products and philosophy can strokes improved the more they you might just as well serve through it. Rally Net (which is a second, height be viewed on their website: concentrated on hitting precise targets. The task was similarly to drive the ball adjustable net placed above the table www.batskills.com For further In 1999 Dave contacted Ryelands between the high Rugby posts but here tennis net) to its highest position, the information, contact Batskills Ltd, 90 Middle School Head of PE Peter Austen, touch in addition to accuracy is required, player can learn to keep the ball low by Martins Lane, Hardingstone, who was having considerable success in as the ball must then land on the playing hitting it between the two nets. If the Northampton NN4 6Dj, Tel. 01604 table tennis, and tried out the games on surface. Good touch is also necessary to Rally Net is dropped lower still, the 762771 [email protected] his pupils. The games were so push or drop shot the ball gently over player is forced to keep the ball even However, the best way to judge how successful that Peter introduced a skills the Horse jump bar and onto the 'grass'. lower. By placing the Rally Net in it's good they are is to see them in use, and circuit in which the pupils played all Pushing or driving the ball onto the lowest position, the player then learns to if a cluster of 5 or more clubs can come eight games, a scoring system being Cricket stumps or the Golf green flag be able to hit higher over it, as with a together, Batskills say they will provide a devised for each target, and the winning demands accuracy, as does pushing the high topspin loop or roll. The Rally demonstration/training session. It team being the one that achieved the ball onto the right squares of the Posts are two vertical posts, which can be would be well worth taking them up on highest aggregate number of points. A Noughts and Crosses game. The latter placed wider or closer apart to increase this.

(I S WHO IS 7HE GREA7ES7 EYER1

FOUR AGES OF TABLE TENNIS MAN by players to play and train full time and that was the John Prean biggest change fron1 the other three eras. In short, Waldner remained at the very top in the BRIAN HALLIDAY's excellent article in TTN face of much deeper competition than had ever on Waldner and his undoubted claims to be assembled before. the greatest table tennis player of all time Although excellent services and third ball attacks prompts me to add a few further thoughts. were in his repertoire, he would play with The ftrst is that there have been such vast resource and style and "genius" was justly changes in equipment that comparisons attributed to him. It was one of his charms that he may be both difficult and unfair. The game could lose to lesser players, perhaps more often changed completely with the invention and than his main rivals, yet on the big occasion there development of the sponge bat. was no more reliable performer. The hard bat era itself may be seen as two parts, Samsonov and Boll may yet prove plaUSible rivals, the first from 1926, when the first world but not until they have another decade at the top. championships took place, to 1937 when the net Surbeck and Klampar also had long and was lowered to its present height. That first era distinguished careers, but neither has matched was dominated by Victor barna, who won five Waldner's big wins. Jonyer was wonderful at his world titles at a time when this was an annual best, but his career, was far shorter. event. The second era, still that of the hard bat, There are only two players I would submit as was dominated by Richard Bergmann, who won possible challengers to Waldner, both Chinese and the world title for the first time in 1937 at the age therefore cloaked in mystery. The first is Gua Yua of 17 and then three more times. It was a time of Hua. I find plausible claims that in both 1977 and very great players, the best perhaps Vana, Leach 1979 he was ordered to lose against Japanese and Andreadis. The latter, who won no singles opponents in beth finals. In 1981 and 1983 he did titles, achieved one of the great team feats of all win the world singles titles. Even then doubts time, when he defeated all three Japanese in IVAN ANDRE.ADIS, of , surfaced, as he defeated another Chinese, Cao probably the greatest player never to have 1954. They had arrived with sponge about 8mm won the World Mens Singles title, but in Yanhua, in both finals. Some said Cao was really thick, whilst Andreadis played with a hard bat, the 1954 Team event he had the best win the better player, but Gua was "rewarded" for his perhaps the best win since David defeated since ~David beat Goliath', when he earlier sacrifice and "devotion" to official orders, Goliath, certainly in terms of beating the odds. defeated all three Japanese players with that he was by then past his best. However, it is That second period ended in 1954, when the his hard bat, whilst the Japanese played also possible that Gua would have won four world sponge era began. Again, I feel this divides into with Bmm thick sponge. titles, had it not been for official intervention and, two parts, that before "glue" which I would place if so, this would have been a feat very hard to as beginning in 1975 or so, when Jonyer won equal in an age when world titles are contested using glue, although few were aware of it at the which is a vast industry and Chuan disappeared, only every two years. As you can see, once again time. It was still a well guarded secret. In this as did the Gang of Four. We shall probably never the Chinese situation is obscured by rumour and non-glue sponge era Chuan Tse Tung certainly know the full facts, but there are clouds we doubt. has an excellent case. He won in '61, '63' and '65. cannot penetrate and which cast doubts on most I throw one more possible rival into the arena, in each of the finals he defeated his compatriot Li Chinese victories, although this is the greatest one who won no singles titles, indeed retired Furong. Matches between Chinese players are table tennis nation the world has known. We early, because he did not enjoy the tension and notoriously difficult to assess, since all too often cannot be sure whether Chuan or Li was better, stress of competition, departments in which they are decided by officials. The Chinese view, but one of them probably deserves to be Waldner excels. The player is the Chinese Xie insofar as I try to understand it, seems to be nominated in the top spot of the pre-glue period. Saike and many good judges tell me that he was similar to that cycling teams in the Tour de Thereafter Waldner has a superb case. He has the best they have ever seen. France. The top man is decided before the start been at the very top for 20 years starting at the Both he and Waldner were the NO.1 players of and the rest of the team will assist his victory. age of 16 with silver in the European the German Bundesliga Club ATSV Saarbrucken in Taking orders to lose is seen as submission to the Championships. It was nearly gold, as he led different seasons and regulars have been quite greater good, the latter often seen as official Appelgren 2-0 in the final. Since then all titles clear that was the better player. decisions. It has been put to me that Li Furong have come to him, including World and Olympic. conventional judgements, notably results give the was indeed the better player, but that he had to Always he had to contend with a large world class title to Waldner, but leave plenty of speculation accept defeat as a result of official decisions. Chinese contingent as well as numerous about what might have been,if only...... Chuan was the favourite of the establishment at Europeans and Asians capable of beating him on the time, notably the Gang of Four. Later, long their day. it was an age when professionalism after their playing days were over, there appeared finally entered table tennis on a large scale, as to be a dramatic reversal of fortunes, as Li business and government subsidies were became a leading figure in Chinese Table Tennis, available in most countries which enabled their ,.RADE PAGE compiled by John Wood

KAMEO bpa: the blade Super Special OX on the backhand and with an extra edge Dr. Neubauer Magic Pips 1mm on the (Patent Application forehand. No: 02 15474.8) AS the focus for improving table tennis Dr NEUBAUER blade performance moves away from materials, Mark Bellamy, blade designer REVOLUTION at YLT, explains how bpa technology With Kameo bpa technology, AS the result of a one year research and (blade performance adjusters) in the new development program Hallmark Table Kameo range further extends this adjusting blade performance Tennis Ltd have produced a new racket performance improvement by providing characteristics is simple. covering which has been called Dr the first blade with adjustable control Kameo blades have long and Neubauer Revolution. Revolution is an characteristics. anti spin type rubber which possesses For many years, blade manufacturers short bpas. Slide chosen good control when blocking and and table tennis players explored a bpa into slot in chopping but also has significant variety of materials to improve Kameo handle disturbing properties for players who like performance. However, over recent to attack. Revolution is only available in years, it has been various changes in the black with 1.5mm sponge for defensive handle - slots, balsa inlays, foam-filled players and 2.0mm sponge for more cavities and so on - that have had the offensive play. most impact on performance. TTN RUBBER TEST One technique, hollowing out the THIS Revolution anti spin rubber was handle, moves the blade's centre of easy to play with very good control when gravity to the point where contact with defending, and superb when attacking the ball is made, allowing the player to creating disturbing dipping no spin generate more power from the sweet effects. Amust for attacking anti spin spot. Being lighter, these blades allow players. faster recovery -giving the player more Hallmark products are available from time to shape the next stroke -and both Bribar Table Tennis and Tees in1prove touch sensitivity. Without doubt, Sports. many of these blades are exceptionally fast but the reduction in ball/face dwell lEW PIMPLES time makes the generation of spin much n10re difficult. speed/power ratio whilst maintaining With the long bpa inserted it had less FROM DOIIC The problem facing many players and touch and control, ideal for the modern control than the other two tests, but it coaches is managing the switch to this vari-offensive player who relies on was a lot faster, an all out attackers blade. PIRAN]A ORIGINAL faster blade technology. For the club dynamic power from all areas of the table The tests performed by myself and Bob THIS season sees the return of the player or coach, the need to get to win points. House were with long pimpled, short and once popular Piranja. comfortable with a new blade and to • removing the bpa completely creates a defensive rubbers. The dangerous Piranja Original long learn to exploit its different performance blade with speed as its primary pimpled rubber is back in production ­ characteristics envelope can result in a characteristic for the modern speed lEW HALLMARK extreme effect and huge problems for return almost to square one. Table tennis offensive player who relies on maximum your opponent. players require a single blade with a built­ speed and power to win points. PRODUCTS TTN RUBBER TEST in set of 'gears' that provides the ability •interestingly, either bpa can be partially PIRANJA ORIGINAL OX is relative easy to to adjust and control performance inserted, offering players the facility to Dr. NEUBAUER control, varying unpredictably for the characteristics: the Kameo range with vary the centre of gravity of the blade, opponent as it is not always obvious what bpa technology. changing the trajectory of the ball and COMBINATION the ball will do,. Two identical shots, one Extensive research the speed/control ratio of the blade. This, THIS season sees another new will float and the other will dip. It's easy The Kameo range of conventional format almost infinite range of performance innovation from the Hallmark to attack with and with practice will be blades follows extensive collaboration adjustment makes it possible, through stable. very good to block with. Look forward to with several well-known players and practice against different styles, to Following on from their highly testing the Piranja Formula in the next coaches, and many hundreds of hours determine the best bpa playing successful Stragety Blade, they have issue. working with specialist material characteristics of the blade to exploit an introduced the Dr. Neubauer Donic products are available from Jarvis technicians and skilled manufacturing opponent's weakness. Combination blade. Sports. craftsman. The result is a range of unique Blade performance adjustment is the This new 5 ply blade has been top quality, multi-laminated blades next technology step in ever-improving developed by Hallmark Table Tennis Ltd lEW PIMPLES handcrafted from carefully researched blade design, offering all levels of table for combination bat players. Dr Neubauer American and European woods, each tennis player the ability to adjust and Combination is a lightweight blade of FROM'IBHAR with its own characteristics - and each fine-tune blades to suit their individual only 75g, it has a balsa core with a incorporating bpa technology. requirements without the inconvenience different combination of laminates on the GRASS DEVIL Kameo bpa technology is the first to - and expense -of changing equipment. forehand to the backhand. It is available TIBHAR GRASS DEVIL is the new allow players to adjust and control the YLT's bpa technology is also available in with straight, anatomic or conical weapon for a tticky game with long perforn1ance characteristics of their blade the Cameo asymmetric format. For more handles. The defensive backhand and pimple. Tibhar used a few by providing long and short blade information, contact Mark Bellamy, tel: offensive forehand makes it suitable for innovative solutions while performance adjusters that insert into the 01379-854604, e-mail: players who block and chop on the developing Grass Devil. hollow handle (see graphics above). [email protected], web site: backhand but like to attack on the Smooth top of pimples has more Precision machining the slot in the www.yltonline.co.uk forehand. Good disturbing effects are surface than any other comparable handle removes some six grams TTN BAT TEST obtained when used in conjunction with rubber - the diameter of the pimples is (approximately 6%) in weight; the long THIS revolutionary but quite simple idea Dr Neubauer Super Special. 1.6mm. That is why the ball glides even bpa weighs approximately 6.5% of the by Mark Bellamy, of a blade with TTN BAT TEST more effectively. The pimples l.7mm blade weight (effectively replacing the adjustable control characteristics, is quite Whereas their Stragety blade suits most long. The natural rubber mixture is made removed wood) while the short bpa fun to play with, and definitely an added rubbers, this Combination blade which is especially soft and therefore the pimples weighs around 3.55%. advantage in this era of table tennis. extremely light, being balsa wood, is can easily bend. • with the long bpa inserted, the blade Without a bpa (weight), in its defensive definitely more suited to long pimpled TTN RUBBER TEST effectively returns to its basic role, plays much more direct and its Ox on the much slower backhand side, GRASS DEVIL is easy to play With, lots of performance characteristic: controlled much easier to control the ball. improving its control and obstruction control, unpredictable for the opponent, power - ideal for the modern spin Using the short bpa it becomes an effect. Whilst the attacking forehand side, as you hit it the ball sinks rapidly after offensive player who relies on maximum allround blade. In this mode it was which is marginally faster than the hitting the table and shoots through. spin and controlled power strategies to slightly harder to control the ball, but Stragety blade, had good control when Most of the effect happens after the ball win points. when hitting it had a much greater attacking. hits your opponents' half of the table. • inserting the short bpa increases the variation than without a bpa. The above test used Dr. Neubauer • s Senior Men (99) 88 DENNISON, john (E.) 311l * (83) 74 GARLICK, Helen (K.) 2765 * (9) 7 SIBLEY, Kelly (WA.) 3129 (20) 15 BIELEC, Sylvana (BK.) 1027 Pas Name Rtg FIg (100) 89 BAilEY, Steven (CV.) 3113 * (84) 75 DAWSON, Marjorie (E.) 2745 * (12) 8 SPRINGTHORPE, lauren (ll.) 3097 (21) 16 STEEPLES, Susie (ll.) 872 * (I) I SYED, Matthew (Bk) (SY.) 4851 (101) 90 ROOFE, Eddie (WI.) 3111 * (85) 76 BRISTOW, Angie (K.) 2745 ** (10) 9 SPINK, lauren (NK.) 3093 * (22) 17 HALL, jessica (LA.) 858 * (2) 2 BAGGAlEY, Andrew (BU.) 4728 (102) 91 WELSMAN, Dave (NP.) 3105 * (87) 77 DEARING, Emily (Y.) 2735 ** (13) 10 SHEPHERD, Karen (CH.) 2903 * (25) 18 FARQUHAR, Melanie (BK.) 673 (4) 3 HERBERT, Gareth (BK.) 4721 (103) 92 FORD, Christopher (LA.) 3099 * (86) 78 BROWN, janet (OX.) 2735 * (14) II WILSON, Naomi (SO.) 2892 (28) 19 VICKERS, Emma (DY.) 603 * (3) 4 PERRY, Alex (DV.) 4718 (104) 93 MAjITHIA, Mayur (SX.) 3096 * (88) 79 VICKERS, jane (DY.) 2728 *** (16) 12 YARN lEY, Gemma (I<.) 2656 (29) 20 BURLISON, Amy (CU.) 594 *** (5) 5 COOKE, Alan (DY.) 4639 ** (105) 94 MARSDEN, Michael (DU.) 3096 ** (89) 80 SEAHOlME, Sarah (HE.) 2722 ** (21) 13 LANGFORD, Clare (CH.) 2576 * (30) 21 LAYFIELD, jordyn (CH.) 574 (6) 6 PREAN, Carl (IW.) 4546 **** (106) 95 CICCHELLI, Paul (SK.) 3087 ** (91) 81 VAjDI, Carmen (SY.) 2717 ** (22) 14 BROWN, Sarah (E.) 2572 * (31) 22 HOWE, Claire (SO.) 553 * (7) 7 YOUNG, Terry (BK.) 4509 (107) 96 DRINKHAll, Paul (CV.) 3084 (92) 82 ECKERSLEY, Carol (SX.) 271l * (23) 15 GRAHAM, Cherith (LA.) 2492 (32) 23 PilGRIM, Rachel (WA.) 550 (8) 8 RUSHTON, Andrew (LA.) 4432 ** (109) 97 HARDING, David (SY.) 3073 * (93) 83 MERSH, jackie (K.) 2710 *** (25) 16 'DENNETT, Elizabeth (CH.) 2368 (34) 24 L1NI, Caroline (SY.) 549 (9) 9 BilLINGTON, Bradley (DY.) 4403 ** (110) 98 WALKER, Andy (SX.) 3063 * (96) 84 MUDGE, Kim (E.) 2695 *** (26) 17 WEll, Emma (E.) 2338* (33) 25 HAWKINS, Stephanie (WA.) 534 * (10) 10 BARHAM, Dale (CA.) 4190 (III) 99 ROMANO, Mark (K.) 3056 *** (97) 85 HALES, Linda (DO.) 2688 * (28) 18 WilSON, Claire (DU.) 2293 (Il) II EDEN, Andrew (LA.) 4125 **** (112) 100 PHILIPSI, Simon (Sy) (K.) 3039 ** (98) 86 GRAHAM, Sylvia (LA.) 2685 ** (29) 19 CRAVEN-GRIFFITHS, Kelly (lE.) 2221 * Under 13 Boys (31) 12 BRYANT, Craig (DV.) 4008 (99) 87 FLOWE RDAY, Anne (E.) 2680* (30) 20 HUBBARD, joanne (K.) 2144 ** Pas Name Rtg FIg (14) 13 SUGRUE, jason (MI.) 3976 * Senior Women (100) 88 MAY, Elizabeth (DV.) 2679 **** (31) 21 BELL, Amanda (Y.) 2125 * (I) I Drinkhall, Paul (CV) 3084 (20) 14 KENNY, Mathew (Y.) 3962 Pas Name Rtg FIg (101) 89 STEWART, Tina (K.) 2675 *** (32) 22 HOWARD, Clara (CH.) 2013 * (2) 2 Knigh~ Darius (SY) 2939 (16) 15 HOLLAND, john(Dy) (E.) 3942 ** (I) I DEATON, Nicola (DY.) 4014 (90) 90 SHALER, Eileen (lE.) 2671 (33) 23 TUCKER, Emily (BU.) 1997 * (5) 3 Evans, Gavin (NG) 1512 (17) 16 ISHERWOOD, Michael (DY.) 3936 **** (2) 2 LOWER, Helen (ST.) 3923 (102) 91 BENTLEY, Ruth (NG.) 2666 * (35) 24 VAjDl, Christina (SY.) 1927 **** (7) 4 Reed, Darren (CO) 997 (18) 17 SLADDEN, Cris (E.) 3909 *** (II) 3 STEWARD, Kate (SO.) 3857 (103) 92 JUDSON, Carol (Y.) 2665 * (36) 25 WElL, lucy (E.) 1893 * (8) 5 Nicholls, Damien (SP) 828 (21) 18 MOORE, Adrian (K.) 3775 ** (3) 4 PARKER, Katy (LA.) 3813 (95) 93 YARN lEY, Gemma (K.) 2656 (38) 26 HOllETT, Gemma (SY.) 1856 *** (9) 6 johnson, Paul (L1) 781 (24) 19 DRINKHAlL, Bryn (CV.) 3773 (6) 5 PARKER, joanna (SY.) 3805 (104) 94 JOHNSON, Susan (BK.) 2656 **** (39) 27 SHUTT, Heather (Y.) 1829* (II) 7 Evans, Myles (NG) 741 (23) 20 TAYLOR, jonathan (LA.) 3749 ** (4) 6 HOLT, Andrea (LA.) 3744 ** (105) 95 KENNARD, Nikki (E.) 2650 *** (40) 28 WAllER, Tanya (Y.) 1822 *** (12) 8 Robinson, Dorian (SY) 698 (25) 21 VENNER, Ritchie (SX.) 3702 * (7) 7 MARCH, linda (HE.) 3715 ** (107) 96 HICKMAN, Susan (E.) 2644 * (41) 29 SENEVIRATNE, Anusha (K.) 1770* (14) 9 Simpson, Mark (DlJ) 643 (26) 22 PYE, leeroy (NK.) 3683 *** (12) 8 BAWDEN, Natalie (E.) 3656 (109) 97 BUTCHER, Pamela (K.) 2619* (42) 30 BARRETT, Michelle (DV.) 1754 * (16) 10 Dodds, Matthew (YS) 583 (27) 23 GOODALL, justin (K.) 3668 ** (9) 9 WALKER, Georgina (NG.) 3656 (110) 98 HOOKER, Muriel (BU.) 2617 *** (43) 31 PARTON, Helen (DV.) 1733 * (21) II lewis, Christopher (SY) 549 (28) 24 JAMES, Michael (Y.) 3660* (10) 10 OWOLABI, Kubrat (MI.) 3653 ** (III) 99 MITCHELL, Sharon (BK.) 2614 * (44) 32 BALDI, Rachel(Ys) (Y.) 1728 *** (19) 12 Mudie, Stewart (L1) 536 (29) 25 ROGERS, Chris (lE.) 3638 ** (16) II EMBLlNG, Abigail (E.) 3494 (112) 100 DARE, lindsey (HE.) 261l * (46) 33 WANG, Sarra (E.) 1683 (22) 13 Doran, Christopher (NP) 521 (30) 26 WURAOLA, Abdul (SY.) 3623 * (14) 12 DURRANT, louise (NG.) 3445 (45) 34 MEADS, joanne (DU.) 1667 * (26) 14 Deville Billy (E) 506 (32) 27 CHARLES, Neil (MI.) 3604 * (17) 13 THORNTON, lindsey (LA.) 3363 * Junior Boys (48) 35 HEARD, Gemma (E.) 1565 *** (20) 15 Chan, Wing Yung (SY) 449 (34) 28 MARSHALL, Peter (Y.) 3588 *** (18) 14 SMITH, Karen (lE.) 3314 * Pas Name Rtg FIg (54) 36 DAVIS, Stella (GS.) 1497 (35) 29 CHAN, Michael (SY.) 3573 *** (20) 15 ROBERTS, joanna (Y.) 3250 * (I) I BARHAM, Dale (CA.) 4190 (49) 37 RADFORD, lisa (DV.) 1483 * Under 13 Girls (36) 30 BARR, David (BK.) 3556 ** (21) 16 WESTON, Sally (SX.) 3225 ** (4) 2 BRYANT, Craig (DV.) 4008 (51) 38 ClEMINSON, jessica (E.) 1454 * Pas Name Rtg FIg (37) 31 SMITH, Eddie (ND.) 3546 * (22) 17 HARRIS, jill (ST.) 3223 * (3) 3 DRINKHAlL, Bryn (CV.) 3773 (52) 39 ROGERS, Gina (SX.) 1436 *** (I) I SPRINGTHORPE, lauren (L1.) 3097 (64) 32 BAKER, Gregory (ST.) 3534 (23) 18 DUNNING, jan (WO.) 3220 * (7) 4 BAKER, Gregory (ST.) 3534 (53) 40 LIGHTOWLER, Katie (Y.) 1411 * (2) 2 WANG, Sarra (E.) 1683 (38) 33 ECKERSLEY, Nigel (SX.) 3500* (24) 19 KEAST, lesley (L1.) 32031*** (6) 5 YARNALL, Tim (NP.) 3333 (55) 41 BOSLEY, lisa (BK.) 1l59* (5) 3 VICKERS, Emma (DY.) 603 * (39) 34 KENNEDY, joe (K) (E.) 3496 * (25) 20 NARENDRAN, Aparna (MI.) 3202 ** (8) 6 CLEMINSON, Peter (E.) 3302 * (57) 42 REES, Bethany (E.) 1286 (6) 4 LAYFIELD, jordyn (CH.) 574 (40) 35 BROWN, Mark (K.) 3495 ** (26) 21 RUOCCO, Shelley (E.) 3187 *** (II) 7 BLEAKLEY, Adam (LA.) 3291 (58) 43 PARNELL, Francesca (BU.) 1277 *** (7) 5 PilGRIM, Rachel (WA.) 550 (42) 36 WHITING, Paul (DV.) 3481 ** (27) 22 HARPER, Sandra (BD.) 3185 * (9) 8 HORNER, Daniel (CH.) 3291 * (59) 44 GASSON, Faye (CU.) 1269*** (8) 6 JAMIESON, Rachel (E.) 484 (43) 37 POLINTNEY, Robert (SY.) 3474 * (28) 23 CHAPMAN, Gemma (BK.) 3182 (12) 9 DRINKHAlL, Paul (CV.) 3084 (60) 45 SKEGGS, Kelly (E.) 1265 * (10) 7 HALLOWS, Caroline (CH.) 401 (44) 38 CARTHY, Clive (E.) 3472 * (32) 24 WHITE, Nicola (Y.) 3175 (Il) 10 NOUTCH, Simon (Y.) 2989* (61) 46 DONNEllY, Stephanie (CV.) 1254 * (12) 8 DENNETT, Fiona (CH.) 396 (45) 39 JOHNS, Brian (CH.) 3471 * (29) 25 lOCKWOOD, Karen (CH.) 3162 ** (14) II KNIGHT, Darius (SY.) 2939 (62) 47 STRINGER, jodie (K.) 1249* (II) 9 TAYLOR, Amy (BU.) 377 ** (46) 40 NEIL, lee (NG.) 3465 ** (30) 26 NEWNS, Clare (CH.) 3149 * (15) 12 GREEN, Alex (L1.) 2818 (65) 48 PERKS, Sarah (NG.) 1249 (17) 10 WHITEHORN, joy (DO.) 259 * (49) 41 DOLDER, Kevin (LA.) 3440 ** (31) 27 SHORT, Elaine (DV.) 3147 * (16) 13 DENNY, Stephen (Y.) 2738 * (63) 49 SHEPHERD, Nicola (Y.) 1248 * (22) II GREENER, Rachel (DU.) 207 (50) 42 WilKINSON, Andrew (ND.) 3434 * (33) 28 YARDY, Hannah (E.) 3131 *** (19) 14 GREGORY, Christopher (SP.) 2634 (64) 50 TWEEDY, Rebecca (BU.) 1136 *' (19) 12 HAYES, Catherine (BU.) 192 (51) 43 GANNON, David (lE.) 3410 ** (35) 29 SIBLEY, Kelly (WA.) 3129 (21) 15 MOSS, Richard (Y.) 2585 * (21) 13 YARN lEY, laura (K.) 190 (52) 44 BEERLlNG, Stephen (K.) 3406 ** (34) 30 COHEN, Michele (AV.) 3127* (20) 16 MARPLES, Shalln (DY.) 2570 Cadet Boys (24) 14 l1ACKEN, jessica (E.) 171 (53) 45 PAPANTONIOU, Costas (MI.) 3403 ** (44) 31 SPRINGTHORPE, lauren (ll.) 3097 (22) 17 CARTWRIGHT, Neil (DO.) 2476 * Pas Name Rtg FIg (25) 15 FUllER, Mary (Y.) 108 * (54) 46 HilTON, john (CH.) 3393 * (36) 32 BLOOR, Trudie (SP.) 3095 **** (23) 18 EVANS, Bradley (Bu) (NG.) 2423 * (I) I YARNALL, Tim (NP.) 3333 (57) 47 HALL, Dominic (K.) 3367 (37) 33 SPINK, lauren (NK.) 3093 * (24) 19 HARLEY, john (K.) 2396 * (3) 2 DRINKHAlL, Paul (CV.) 3084 Veteran Men (55) 48 CUNNINGHAM, Andy (K.) 3358 ** (38) 34 RAINTON, Rosemary (SX.) 3089 * (26) 20 PEEBLES, Robin (NG.) 2330 *** (4) 3 KNIGHT, Darius (SY.) 2939 Pas Name Rtg FIg (56) 49 GRIFFIN, Darren (GS.) 3349 * (39) 35 DURHAM, jane (CV.) 3088 * (27) 21 LAllY, Keiran (E.) 2313 ** (6) 4 EVANS, Bradley (Bu) (NG.) 2423 * (I) I ROGERS, -Chris (lE.) 3638 ** (58) 50 JOHNSON, Ben (BK.) 3344 **** (40) 36 ASHISON, Glenda (SY.) 3087 **** (29) 22 lEIGHTON, Andrew (DU.) 2150 * (8) 5 SHAHLAEI, Harry (GS.) 2063 2 BARR, David (BK.) 3556 ** (60) 51 YARNALL, Tim (NP.) 3333 (42) 37 HURLING, Emma (HE.) 3066 ** (30) 23 lEMON, Robert (SY.) 2121 (7) 6 REES, Daniel (E.) 2044 (2) 3 ECKERSLEY, Nigel (SX.) 3500* (59) 52 HUTCHINGS, Paul (LA.) 3327 ** (43) 38 BUOEY, Brenda (LA.) 3061 * (44) 24 BROWN, Christopher (DV.) 2064 (9) 7 MILTON, james (BU.) 1959* (3) 4 KENNEDY, joe (K) (E.) 3496 * (61) 53 RANKIN, john (LA.) 3311 * (45) 39 SMITH, Angela (MI.) 3055 ** (32) 25 SHAHLAEI, Harry (GS.) 2063 (10) 8 MEADS, David (DU.) 1937 * 5 BROWN, Mark (K.) 3495 ** (62) 54 MCKOY, Nick (MI.) 3308 ** (46) 40 HOWARD, Alice (CH.) 3045 * (31) 26 REES, Daniel (E.) 2044 (II) 9 CANNON, Samuel (MI.) 1934 (4) 6 CARTHY, Clive (E.) 3472 * (63) 55 CLEMINSON, Peter (E.) 3302 * (47) 41 SMITH, Sarah (NG.) 3039 *** (34) 27 NICHOLLS, Ashley (SP.) 1981 ** (14) 10 HAYES, David (BU.) 1786 * (5) 7 JOHNS, Brian (CH.) 3471 * (65) 56 SHORT, Mark (YS.) 3296 ** (48) 42 BONGERS, jose (ST.) 3035 * (35) 28 BROOKS, Warren (BU.) 1977 *** (17) II EVANS, Gavin (NG.) 1512 * (6) 8 GANNON, David (lE.) 3410 ** (66) 57 HORNER, Daniel (CH.) 3291 * (49) 43 HURRELL, Rebecca (MI.) 3002 * (36) 29 MilTON, james (BU.) 1959 * (19) 12 BARLOW, Ben (YS.) 1243 9 PAPANTONIOU, Costas (MI.) 3403 ** (73) 58 BLEAKLEY, Adam (LA.) 3291 (50) 44 MALTBY, Margaret (NP.) 2975 * (39) 30 POWELL, Neil (CH.) 1940 (20) 13 CRAWFORD, jonathan (CU.) 1108 * (7) 10 HILTON, john (CH.) 3393 * (72) 59 HARVEY, Dave (GS.) 3278 (51) 45 llOYD, Gemma (CH.) 2972 * (38) 31 MEADS, David (DU.) 1937 * (22) 14 REED, Daniel (CV.) 1054 * II HUTCHINGS, Paul (LA.) 3327 ** (68) 60 CORBIN, Anthony (HE.) 3271 ** (52) 46 ROBINSON, Suzanne (GS.) 2965 * (41) 32 CANNON, Samuel (MI.) 1934 (23) 15 REED, Darren (CO.) 997 * (8) 12 RANKIN, john (LA.) 3311 * (69) 61 JAMIESON, Christopher (E.) 3270 ** (53) 47 BALDI, Andrea(Ys) (Y.) 2959 *** (50) 33 GIBBS, Shaun (DV.) 1921 (25) 16 lEOW, Adam (SY.) 882 * (10) 13 HARVEY, Dave (GS.) 3278 (70) 62 ROSENTHAL, louis (LA.) 3267 ** (54) 48 WANG, lucy (E.) 2958 *** (40) 34 STAINES, Matthew (E.) 1914 * (29) 17 BRAY, Thomas (LA.) 863 (9) 14 WilLIAMS, Keith (LA.) 3261 (71) 63 GREEN, Mark (NG.) 3265 ** (56) 49 BAWDEN, Marilyn (E.) 2946 ** (43) 35 COONEY, William (DY.) 1886 * (26) 18 NICHOllS, Damien (SP.) 828 * (II) 15 CLAYTON, Tony (DO.) 3235 * (67) 64 WilLIAMS, Keith (LA.) 3261 (57) 50 SHIELDS, Helen (Y.) 2939 * (42) 36 ROGERSON, Shaun (L1.) 1864 19 THOMAS, Matthew (MI.) 821 (12) 16 GIRDLER, Ian (SY.) 321l * (74) 65 TENDLER, Gary (E.) 3244 * (59) 51 MARLING, Samantha (MI.) 2928 *** (47) 37 HAYES, David (BU.) 1786 * (28) 20 TAYLOR, jonathan j (CH.) 811 (13) 17 JOHNS, Mike (CH.) 3180 * (75) 66 MCLEAN, Ian (NK.) 3241 ** (60) 52 KING, Sheila (Sl) 2924 (46) 38 ARMSTRONG, Marc (MI.) 1784 (27) 21 JOHNSON, Paul (LI.) 781 * (14) 18 BARTRAM, Peter (SX.) 3162 * (76) 67 BARATY, Eli (MI.) 3238 * (61) 53 SHEPHERD, Karen (CH.) 2903 * (48) 39 KODICEK, jacob (CO.) 1748 * (31) 22 NICHOLLS, Russell (SP.) 754 * (15) 19 GELDER, Tony (DU.) 3156 (77) 68 CLAYTON, Tony (DO.) 3235 * (62) 54 PERRY, lucy (DV.) 2900* (49) 40 BRADFORD, leigh (WA.) 1745 ** (32) 23 POYNER, Simon (DV.) 749 * 20 DENNISON, john (E.) 3113 * (78) 69 GIRDLER, Ian (SY.) 3213 * (63) 55 PEARCE, Diane (K.) 2893 * (51) 41 HALLING, Tony (E.) 1735 (33) 24 EVANS, Myles (NG.) 741 * (79) 70 BRIDGETT, Gregory (DV.) 3210 ** (64) 56 WilSON, Naomi (SO.) 2892 (53) 42 WESLEY, Richard (NG.) 1679 (37) 25 HARVEY, Michael (GS.) 732 Veteran Women (80) 71 WALSH, jimmy (HE.) 3200 ** (65) 57 RIDER, Sandra (Y.) 2886 * (52) 43 PAGE, Tom (CH.) 1660 Pas Name Rtg FIg (81) 72 DABBS, Kieron (NP.) 31981** (66) 58 HARRISON, jennifer (E.) 2873 * (60) 44 YEUNG, Hamish (BD.) 1634 Cadet Girls (I) I SMITH, Karen (lE.) 3335 (82) 73 lOGSDON, Philip (NK.) 3197 ** (67) 59 MORLEY, judy (GS.) 2859 * (54) 45 WOODHEAD, Andrew (Y.) 1616 ** Pas Name Rtg FIg (2) 2 DUNNING, jan (WO.) 3206 (84) 74 WIGNALL, Andy (1.1.) 3191 * (68) 60 BENNETT, Teresa (SX.) 2847 * (55) 46 SHUTES, William (NK.) 1588 **** (2) I SIBLEY, Kelly (WA.) 3129 (3) 3 HARPER, Sandra (BD.) 3128 (86) 75 JOHNS, Mike (CH.) 3180 * (69) 61 SIMPSON, Linda (Y.) 2841 * (57) 47 PANG, Dannell (NP.) 1550 * (4) 2 SPRINGTHORPE, lauren (LI.) 3097 (4) 4 SHORT, Elaine (DV.) 3083 (87) 76 GASCOYNE, Craig (NG.) 3172 * (70) 62 PERRY, Penny (DV.) 2836 * (58) 48 EVANS, Gavin (NG.) 1512 * (3) 3 SPINK, lauren (NK.) 3093 * (7) 5 BUOEY, Brenda (LA.) 3058 (88) 77 BARTRAM, Peter (SX.) 3162 * (72) 63 TODD, Nicole (E.) 2834 ** (59) 49 WilSON, Gary (Sl) 1510* (5) 4 YARN lEY, Gemma (K.) 2656 (6) 6 SMITH, Angela (MI.) 3055 (89) 78 GODBOLD, David (DU.) 3160* (71) 64 BURGESS, Suzanne (CH.) 2834 * (61) 50 DEWHURST, Paul (E.) 1509 (7) 5 SHUTT, Heather (Y.) 1829* (5) 7 DURHAM, jane (CV.) 3055 (90) 79 COX, Philip (K.) 3159** (77) 65 SCHOFIELD, Doreen (CH.) 2817 (8) 6 SENEVIRATNE, Anusha (K.) 1770* (8) 8 SHIELDS, Helen (Y.) 2954 (91) 80 CAMPBELL, Selwyn (SY.) 3157 * (74) 66 COGGON, Sara (HE.) 2811 * junior Girls (9) 7 WANG, Sarra (E.) 1683 (9) 9 BAWDEN, Marilyn (E.) 2946 (94) 81 GELDER, Tony (DU.) 3156 (76) 67 KNIGHTLEY, Gillian (BK.) 2808 * Pas Name Rtg FIg (10) 8 DAVIS, Stella (GS.) 1497 (10) 10 MALTBY, Margaret (NP.) 2934 (92) 82 WHITEMAN, james (DV.) 3151 * (79) 68 SORRENTINO, Annabelle(CH.) 2800 (4) I STEWARD, Kate (SO.) 3857 (Il) 9 SKEGGS, Kelly (E.) 1265 * (II) II PEARCE, Diane (K.) 2894 (93) 83 ADAMS, Martin (BK.) 3149 ** (78) 69 SEYMOUR, Tamar (OX.) 2799 * (2) 2 PARKER, joanna (SY.) 3805 (15) 10 STRINGER, jodie (K.) 1249 * (12) 12 KING, Sheila (SX.) 2889 (95) 84 JONAH, jerome (I<.) 3146 *** (80) 70 HORSNELL, Sarah (MI.) 2785 * (3) 3 WALKER, Georgina (NG.) 3656 (17) II PERKS, Sarah (NG.) 1249 (16) 13 RIDER, Sandra (Y.) 2887 (96) 85 HORSFIELD, Andrew (Ys) (Y.) 3137 ** (81) 71 SAYER, Elaine (E.) 27731*** (6) 4 EMBlING, Abigail (E.) 3494 (16) 12 TWEEDY, Rebecca (BU.) 1136 * (17) 14 HARRISON, jennifer (E.) 2867 (97) 86 BUTLER, Mark (DO.) 3125 (73) 72 INGHAM, Katy (CH.) 2772 (7) 5 CHAPMAN, Gemma (BK.) 3182 (18) 13 PARKER, Hayley (CH.) 1091 (15) 15 SIMPSON, linda (Y.) 2864 (98) 87 SMIlH, Richard A (Y.) 3122 ** (82) 73 GELDER, Shirley (DU.) 2771 (8) 6 WHITE, Nicola (Y.) 3175 (19) 14 PilGRIM, Nikki (WA.) 1037 * (14) 16 PERRY, Penny (DV.) 2848 • • S 2002 SWIGA JUNIOR GRAN. PRIX

1st AUGUST 2002 MEN WOMEN I (I) 2246 CHN I ( I) 2415 CHN 2 (2) 2196 CHN 2 (3) 2118 ZHANG lining CHN 3 (3) 2132 SAMSONOV Vladimir BLR 3 (2) 2100 BOROS Tamara CRO 4 (8) 2086 SCHLAGER Werner AUT 4 (5) 1985 RYU ji Hae KOR 5 (4) 2082 BOLL limo GER 5 (4) 1980 NIU jianfeng CHN 6 (5) 2062 CHN 6 (8) 1963 HKG 7 (7) 2003 WALDNER jan Ove SWE 7 (6) 1962 CHN 8 (6) 1997 SAlVE jean-Michel BEL 8 (7) 1946 CHN 9 (9) 1988 LlU Guoliang CHN 9 (12) 1888 STEFF Mihaela ROM 10 (13) 1945 KIM Taek Soo KOR 10 (9) 1885 LI jia Wei SIN 74 (75) 1422 SYED Matthew ENG 191 (194) 1057 LOWER Helen ENG 142( 139) I 145 HERBERT Gareth ENG 193( 194) 1056 DEATON Nicola ENG

Rubberforehand: Butterfly Sriver Lmax red Rubber backhand: Butterfly Sriver Lmax black Other sports: Golf, Diving, Billiard Hobbies: Video, Reading Music: Black Music, Hip Hop Favorite film star: Denzel Washington Favorite TV: 'IV Total Favorite food: Pizza, Chinese £140. Hall had beaten the seeded Irish Favorite drink: Water BLEAKLEY & girl Linda O'Sullivan in her group and only needed to dispose of the lesser­ RADFORD LIFT ranked Irish girl Sabrina Conway at the knockout stage to lift first prize. ALMOST £500 IN However, on this occasion she was unable to reproduce her earlier form. PRIZE MONEY Paul Johnson from Gainsborough was the The StigaJunior Grand Prix, staged worthy winner of the under 12 boys prize at Hyndburn Sports Centre, and is certainly a name to look out for in Accrington, reached its climax on the future. Sunday 7th April after a very Thanks must go to Stiga (Sweden) and competitive series of six Bill Thornton of Thorntons Sport & THE NEW European Singles & SAO PAUIA, Brazil, 14 July tournaments. The events were Leisure for sponsoring the prize fund of Doubles Champion of 2002, 2002. What are champions played in groups of eight on eight £1750. Referee Ken Armson MBE, , won his titles in made of? Among other things tables followed by knockouts one assisted by partner Faith Moore, did a and two in both the boys and girls fantastic job as did all the various Zagreb, Croatia, earlier this the ability to win when he/she sections. As the season progressed umpires. Thanks must also go to the year. doesn't play well. the events became more and more management and staff of Hyndburn Table Tennis News are pleased is such a player. popular and on some occasions Sports Centre and the officials of the East to publish the following In the early rounds of Mens entries had to be returned. The Lancashire League for their help and co­ interesting look at Timo Boll, on Singles at the Brazil Open he was format, a minimum of eight matches operation. and off the table: in deep trouble, but he survived. per player, has proved very popular Final Results:- Overall Boys Winner: On Sunday when he won the and is ideal for the improver who is Adam Bleakley, runner up Richard Name: Timo Boll final and the Brazilian title he was looking for his or her rust taste of Wesley. Overall Girls Winner: Kerry Birthday: 8th March 1981 back on top, playing the fast tournament play, writes Tony Radford, runner up Louise Proctor. Cadet Meredith. Boys Winner: Adam Bleakley, runner up Birthplace: Erbach, Germany moving Ryu Seung Min with the England NO.2 cadet, Adam Bleakley Richard Wesley. Cadet Girls Winner: Height: 1,81m right strategy and finishing the from Manchester, was the boys overall Helen Crawford, runner up Jessica Hall. Club: TN Goennern match 4-1, before Ryu could find winner and lifted a handsome cheque for Under 12 Boys Winner: Paul Johnson, National Ranking: NO.1 his rhythm. £325. It was just reward for Bleakley as he runner up Matthew Regan (Northants). Main Singles Titles: European "It is true that I did not play well had beaten the higher ranked Stephen Under 12 Girls Winner: Helen Crawford, Champion 2002, Europe Top 12 in early in this tournament, but in Denny (Bingley) on two occasions. runner up Sophie Byron (Ches). Stiga 2002, Austrian Open in 2002, the final everything went very Nottingham's Richard Wesley was runner vouchers, valued at £20, £30 and £40, Brazilian Open 2001 well. I now know how to playa up and received a cheque for £180. were also awarded to Jonathan Crawford Coach: Helmut Hampl fast player like Ryu. I just tried to Wesley had also lost to Bleakley in two (Cu), Aaron Beech (Wales), Adam Slater final encounters. Kerry Radford, also (Ch), David Patterson (La), Adam &Craig Table tennis started: At home, keep the ball on the table until he from Nottingham, and an ever-present, Feargrieve (Ng), Daniel Russell (Ch) ,Jane aged four. made mistakes",said Schlager after lifted the girls overall title and a cheque Easley (St), Stacey Beastall (Ng), Helen Influenced by: Father, Helmut the final. for £160. Local girl Louise Proctor Crawford, Jessica Hall, Sophie Byron, Hampl Schlager also took the Doubles showed a marked improvement Sally Duncliffe (La), Linda O'Sullivan Ambition: Top lOin the world. title partnered with Karl Jindrak. throughout the series and was a worthy (Ireland), Peter Denness (Cu), Thomas (No.5 as of 1st March 2002) They won the Mens Doubles runner up. Bray (La), Caroline Hallows (Ch) , Amy Practice hours: 20 hours per final against Zoltan Fejer­ Barrow's Helen Crawford, another ever­ Walker (Ch), Matthew Knott (Ch) and week Konnerthlforben Wasik (GER). present, edged out Bury's Jessica Hall in Joshua Bleakley (La). Hoechst & Frankfurt The Austrians started out very the cadet girls and pocketed a cheque for Where: All the winners received a trophy and Sponsors: Butterfly strongly and the Germans actually m replica. Also, Aaron Beech for being the highest placed junior boy and Jessica Hall Blade: Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit never got into the match before it for being the highest placed cadet girl. Offensive was over 4-0. ENGLISH JUNIOR ItASifERS

THE OVERALL winners of the Jarvis Sports sponsored circuit of Grand Prix junior open toumaments were presented with their prizes at the National Junior and GEORGINA WALKER from Kirkby Cadet Masters Toumaments. in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire and England junior no.2 boy MATTHEW KENNY from Dominic Hall (Kent) had some Sheffield, Yorkshire, retained consolation for coming only 10th their junior girl and boy singles in the Junior Masters, by being titles at the English National awarded £200 for topping the Junior Masters competition held Jarvis Sports Grand Prix. Cadet at the Cippenham Table Tennis Lauren Spink (Norfolk) was Centre, Slough. presented with £200 for taking Walker, the England junior no.2 and first place in the corresponding national under 21 champion, beat girls' singles, while Niv Bogan Katy Parker (Preston, Lancashire), (Middlesex) and Lauren the England junior 00.1, 7-11, 9-11, Springthorpe (Lines) each took 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 in the last match to £100 for coming top in the cadet top the girls' singles. After boy's and girls' singles. surrendering leads in the first two Top 10Jarvis Sports Grand Prix games, Walker's slick forehand Positions: topspin got increasingly stronger and Junior boys' singles: 1­ more consistent against Parker's Dominic Hall (Kent), 2 - Adam chop defence and she ended up a Bleakley (Lanes); 3 - Daniel comfortable winner, Parker too Horner (Ches); 4 - Paul Drinkhall belatedly risking attack to break the (Cleveland); 5- Simon Noutch game up. Up to that point Katy (Yorks); 6- Craig Bryant Parker had been unbeaten, only once (Devon); 7- Bryn Drinkhall being taken to a fifth game (by Nicola (Cleveland); 8 - Peter White of Yorkshire). Walker lost just Cleminson (Essex); 9 - Stephen once, 8-11,11-8,9-11,5-11 to the Denny (Yorks); 10 - Niv Bogan heavy top-spinning national cadet (Middx). no.1, Abigail Embling (Brentwood, Junior girls' singles: 1 ­ Essex), who finished 4th overall with 'Lauren Spink (Norfolk); 2 ­ 7 wins and 4 losses. Joanna Parker (Surrey); 3 ­ The greatly improved national cadet Georgina walker (Notts); 4­ champion Joanna Parker (Chertsey, Abigail Embling (Essex); 5­ Surrey), whose mixed defence and ETTA Vice-Chairman KEITH Sarah Brown (Essex); 6 ­ backhand hit game has improved to follow-ups to storm into a 2 games Gemma Chapman (Bucks); 7­ such an extent that she reached the and 8-5 lead. He then momentarily PONTING (Competitions), presented the medals to Boys Natalie Bawden (Essex); 8­ Midlands Open Butterfly Grand Prix tightened up, which was enough for (I.to.r) BRYN DR/NKHALL, Nicola White (Yorks); 9 - Lauren women's singles final at Kenny to come back 11-9. Kenny MATTHEW KENNY & CRAIG Springthorpe (Lines); 10 - Kelly Wolverhampton the previous week, then raised his game, demonstrating BRYANT, and to the Girls Sibley (Warwicks). came third, losing only to Walker, his versatility and full range of GEORGINA WALKER, JOANNA Cadet boys' singles: 1- Niv Katy Parker and Embling in the final attacking shots, keeping slightly PARKER & KATY PARKER. Bogan (Middx); 2- Adam group (of 12). Possibly her best ahead to win 12-14,4-11,11-9,11-8, Bleakley (Lanes); 3 - Darius and most critical result was her 11-9, 11-9, the last point, unfortunately for (Essex); 5- Tim Yarnall (Northants); Knight (Surrey); 4 - Tim Yarnall 8-11,6-11,11-7,11-5 success over the Drinkhall, being with a 'net ' ball. 6 - Danny Horner (Ches); 7- Adam (Northants); 5- Daniel Rees combination bat attack of national Craig Bryant, the talented England Bleakley (Lanes); 8 - Louis Rosenthal (Essex); 6 - David Hayes junior champion, Kate Steward junior no.5 fron1 Cullon1pton, Devon, (Lanes); 9- Greg Baker (Warwicks); (Bucks); 7- James Milton (Taunton, Somerset). Top under came third with just two losses in the 10 - Dominic Hall (Kent). (Bucks); 8 - Samuel Cannon 12, Lauren Springthorpe stage 2 group. He was one of the Girls: 1- Georgina Walker (Notts); 2 (Essex); 9- David Meads (Lincolnshire), impressed in coming few players to take Kenny the full - Katy Parker (Lanes); 3 - Joanna (Durham); 10 - Shaun Rogerson 6th. distance, his other loss being to Parker (Surrey); 4- Abigail Embling (Lines). Matt Kenny, the national junior Drinkhall. His toughest final group (Essex); 5- Kate Steward Cadet girls' singles: 1­ champion, duly took the boys' wins were 7-11,11-7,14-12,21-23, (Somerset); 6 - Lauren Springthorpe Lauren Springthorpe (Lines); 2­ singles, but it was not easy as he was 11-6 over Adam Bleakley (Lancashire) (Lines); 7 - Kelly Sibley (Warwicks); 8 Lauren Spink (Norfolk); 3­ twice taken to a 5th game in his first and 15-13,11-9,6-11,8-11,12-10 over - Nicola White (Yorks); 9- Lauren Kelly Sibley (Warwicks); 4­ group and 4 times to a 5th game in Greg Baker (Warwicks). Peter Spink (Norfolk); 10 - Naomi Wilson Anusha Senevirantne (Kent); 5­ the stage 2 group. Kenny's toughest Cleminson (Brentwood, Essex) came (Somerset) . Sarra Wang (Essex); 6- Abigail match was his last one with the on­ 4th with 7 wins and 4 losses in his Ernbling (Essex); 7 - Bethany form England junior no.7, Bryn final group. Rees (Essex); 8 - Gemma Drinkhall (Loftus, Cleveland), who Final Top 10 Positions: Yarnley (Kent); 9 - Elizabeth up to that stage was also unbeaten. Boys: 1- Matt Kenny (Yorks); 2­ Dennett (Ches); 10 - Sylvana Drinkhall used tight serves, heavy Bryn Drinkhall (Cleveland); 3- Craig Bielec (Bucks). topspin opening shots and powerful Bryant (Devon); 4 - Peter Cleminson •s 2002 NA,.IONAL UNDER 10/11/11'5

NATIONAL UNDER 12 CHAMPION: PAUL DRINKHALL (left), and runner-up PAUL DARIUS, pictured with the ETTA Chairman ALAN RANSOME, at the presentation ceremony

Paul Drinkhall, from Loftus, consolation, when, partnered by Rachel Cleveland, the no.1 seed, duly Jamieson (Essex), they pipped avenged his PPP healthcare Springthorpe and Laura Yarnley (Kent), Commonwealth Masters 'Super Kids' 10-12,11-7,5-11,11-7,13-11 to lift the loss to Darius Knight (Battersea, girls' under 12 doubles. Surrey), by beating his main rivalS­ Gavin Evans, whose parents have 11, 12-10, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6 to win the moved from Buckinghamshire to under 12 title, at the English Nottinghamshire to be near to the National Under 10/11 & 12 National Training Centre where their Championships held at Kingsway eldest son (Bradley) trains, demonstrated Leisure Centre, Widnes, supported that he is an outstanding prospect by by Halton Borough Council. both retaining the under 10 boys' singles Drinkhall usually does have a slight (beating Billy Deville from Essex 11-3, edge over the left-handed Knight, as he 11-1, 11-8), and winning the under 11 proved again in the under 12 boys' boys' singles (beating Darren Reed 11-7, singles final at the recent Italian Open 11-7, 11-8). And he still has 2 more Youth tournament in Terni. It was the seasons as an under 10! same in the National Championships: a Finals results: close, hard fought match but with the Girls' under 12 singles: Lauren powerful hitting Drinkhall having the Springthorpe (Lines) bt Sarra Wang stronger finish. The adversaries (Essex) 11-9,6-11,5-11, 11-7, 11-2. combined to overcome David Meads Boys' under 12 singles: Paul Drinkhall (Durham) and Harry Shahlaei (Gloucs) (Cleveland) bt Darius Knight (Surrey) 13-11,11-5,9-11,11-3 to win the boys' 8-11, 12-10, 11-9,6-11, 11-6. doubles. Girls' under 12 doubles: Sarra Lauren Springthorpe (Grantham, WanglRachel Jamieson (Essex) bt Lauren Lincolnshire) also fulfilled her top Springthorpe (Lincs)/Gemma Yarnley seeding, but had to come from 2 games (Kent) 10-12, 11-7,5-11, 11-7, 13-11. to 1down to beat Sarra Wang (Braintree, Boys' under 12 doubles: Paul Essex) 11-9,6-11,5-11,11-7,11-2 to claim Drinkhall (Cleveland)/Darius Knight the under 12 girls' title. In probably the (Surrey) bt David Meads (Durham)/Harry most exciting match of the Shahlaei (Gloucs) 13-11, 11-5,9-11,11-3. championships, Wang got some Girls' under 11 singles: Emma Vickers (Derbys) bt Rachel Pilgrim (Warwicks) 11-9,11-2,8-11,8-11,11-4. Boys' under 11 singles: Gavin Evans (Notts) bt Darren Reed (Devon) 11-7, 11-7, 11-8. Girls' under 10 singles: Jessica Macken (Essex) bt Katie Rule (Bucks) 11-9, 11-9, 11-3­ LAURA Boys' under 10 singles: Gavin Evans SPRINGTHORPE (Notts) bt Billy Deville (Essex) 11-3, 11-1, 11-8. • SEPT/OCT TABLE TENNIS NEWS COpy DATES ISSUE COPY DATES SEPT/OCT 2002 1st AUGUST 2002 NOVEMBER 2002 1st OCTOBER 2002 DECEMBER 2002 1st NOVEMBER 2002 JAN .IFEB.2003 1st JANUARY 2003 MARCH 2003 1st FEBRUARY 2003 APRIL 2003 1st MARCH 2003 MAY 2003 1st APRIL 2003 JUNE/jULY 2003 1st MAY 2003 www.etta.co.uk

2002