It was really good to see our young players playing at last weekend's Inter League at Largs against players from all across Scotland. The highest level that most of them have thus far competed at.  

At the moment, we have several players who are already showing signs of having the potential to become stars of the future. Although as a whole, we have some catching up to do. I know that some have voiced their disappointment at the gap between the top players and some of our youngsters. 

If you'll indulge me, I would like to give everyone some food for thought. 

Firstly, I know that some players do not wish to progress any further than recreational play and that is absolutely fine. Our aim should always be to promote the playing of the game at all levels so that it is enjoyed by an ever increasing number of people of all ages and of any standard.  We do however have a parallel aim which is to promote excellence in the sport. Which means even at this embryonic stage of the ATTA's development, we should and will strive for our players to eventually become competitors at the highest levels.

Although because I was competing in the event, I was not able to pay too much attention to our youngsters' performances at the weekend, one thing was blatantly apparent. The ATTA players who were most successful, were those who have put the hours in, week in, week out in constructive practice, usually with a dedicated coach.  I congratulate them, their parents and their coaches.

Here's the rub: Most of our players departed the arena once their team was eliminated. Yet to a man, we always complain that our young players don't get enough table time. It was an eye-opener to see many of the players from Drumchapel Scotland's most successful club) seizing the opportunity to continue practicing on the ever-increasing number of spare tables as Sunday's events progressed.  We paid to enter the tournament, there were free tables, but on the whole we failed to grasp an opportunity for some free practice time. I know that the players were tired, but to improve, they have to push the envelope in the same way that their competitors unflinchingly do. That said, I do accept that it was a Sunday and families do have other commitments.

One other thing I would like to add, is that the finals of the senior competitions were well-worth watching. A missed opportunity (for most) of our youngsters to experience and be inches away from true blood-and-guts, highly skilful competition and learn important lessons on how much effort they will have to apply to their games and competitive matches, in order to improve over the coming years. I was a little disappointed that there weren't more of them there to take in the tension and atmosphere and see the game played at its excellent best. 

To summarise: Success is and always will be directionally proportional to how much time, effort and dedication that players, coaches and indeed parents are willing to apply.  Nobody in Scotland, the UK, Europe or the World is born a champion. All champions have stayed that extra hour, run that extra mile and sacrificed some comfortable aspect of their lives in order to get where they are. It's the players' free choice. But we have to let them know that if they want to be good at the game, they have to put as much time and effort into it as they can spare and grasp every opportunity to play and learn. 

Thank you for your indulgence. 

Kind regards. 

Roy

Chairman ATTA

The proposal is attached with a few updates. These mainly covered the following aspects:

-          Rather than the National League Committee deciding who was in which division for the first year, a (round-robin) tournament should be organised at the end of the year from which the divisions for 2010/11 will be decided.

-          In the past, all teams had to provide a qualified umpire for each fixture.  It was suggested this was included in the proposal - it would also increase the number of qualified umpires in Scotland which is a bonus. However, this could hinder the interest in the competition potentially?

-          Regarding eligibility, most people preferred the option of only players from the club entered in the local league are allowed to enter though it was requested that, were the ‘Dundee Vets', ‘Aberdeen Scouts' (for example) wanting to enter as a team with players from different clubs from the local area then they would be allowed to.

Looking forward, this is the anticipated plan:

-          Replies from LLCs by 20/11/09

-          Confirmation of interest from clubs/teams by 15/12/09

-          First committee meeting to set dates/rules/entry fees January 2010

-          Confirmation of entries from clubs/teams by end February 2010

-          Round-Robin tournament to decide leagues in 2010/11 ~April 2010

-          Competition starts Autumn 2010

Could you please let your clubs, coaches or whoever you think would be interested in the creation of these leagues aware of the proposal and reply to  18^th of November with any comments/suggestions? 

Also, if you have people who are interested in being on the National League committee or have any other questions, please forward them so thay can be passed to Table tennis Scotland.

Table Tennis Scotland recognises that it is currently facing a serious lack of umpires and referees.  As such, it aims to recruit a number of new umpires (and referees) over the next few years.  It has devised two different levels of refereeing/umpiring qualifications which will suit people with different potential levels of commitment.                                                                      

As discussed and agreed at the LLC meeting on the 18^th of October 2009, every league with more than 50 members will be required to put one new member/year forward for the qualification.

For 2009/10 (based on 2008/09 affiliation data), these leagues would be: Ayrshire, Aberdeen & District, Dundee & District, Edinburgh & Lothian, Perth & District, Stirling & Midland, West Lothian and West of Scotland.

The timeframe for this ‘Push for Umpires' is:

• v Information officially sent out to LLCs: Early November 2009
• v Candidates Put Forward: By End November 2009
• v Candidates do test at home: December/January 2009
• v Candidates get assessed: West of Scotland Open, 23^rd/24^th January 2010 or SNC 6^th/7^th March 2010

Table Tennis Scotland umpiring levels:

Level A:

Benefits:

• - Free Umpire Qualification
• - Free TTS Membership
• - Free Umpire Shirt (with TTScotland or Name)
• - Free access to further umpiring courses + Rules books
• - Free TSP Umpires Bag or TTS Tie & Blazer badge
• - Travel to International events (expenses paid)

Requirements:

• - Pass in National Umpires practical Exam (once)
• - Pass in National Umpires written paper (once)
• - Pass in International Umpires written paper (once)
• - Attendance at annual TTS Umpires' seminar
• - Umpire/referee at at least four TTS event (Assessments, Opens, National Championships)
• - Keep a record of events umpired at.

Level B:

Benefits:

• - [Free Umpire Qualification]
• - Free TTS Membership
• - Free Umpire Shirt (with TTScotland or Name)
• - Free access to further umpiring courses + Rules books
• - Travel to National events (expenses paid)

Requirements:

• - Pass in National Umpires practical Exam (once)
• - Pass in National Umpires written paper (once)
• - Attendance at annual TTS Umpires' seminar
• - Umpire/referee at at least three TTS event (Assessments, Opens, National Championships)
• - Keep a record of events umpired at.

If you have any questions regarding umpiring in Scotland, please email  

Sample umpire Test paper can be downloaded below

Table Tennis Scotland has agreed to support Ayrshire in developing their own league.

The league will meet 6 times with 2 matches played by each team at each meeting. There will be 2 divisions.

Anyone wanting to participate can contact their local club or

Ayrshire Table Tennis Association has 6 teams entered in this seasons senior League. North Ayrshire will be looking to retain the Premier Title for the third year running. South Ayrshire will be aiming to improve on under performance in Premier and their mid table placing in Division 1. Kilwinning will again enter 2 teams looking to finish higher than last year. North Ayrshire have entered a development team in Division 2. 

On Sunday 19 April at Holyrood Sports Centre West of Scotland Table Tennis hosted a minor league assesment for players not yet achieving the higher grades. 31 Players attended with ATTA sending 10 players representing 4 Clubs. Holidays and unavailability heavily reduced ATTA player participation with initial indications of sending a 25 plus strong team.

David Benson produced his form of the season achieving 9 place. Everyone participated well with the members of our newest clubs St Bridget's & Greenwood having their first competition experience.

Congradulations to you all.

Results follow.

North Ayrshire Table tennis Club have successfully retained their West of Scotland Table Tennis League Premier Title. Chris and Richard Mian with the assistance of Ian MacPherson headed the table all season remaining undefeated. Richard also finished top of the individual table only dropping one match.

Hopefully next season we we will have The Ayrshire Table Tennis Association League running so we can include more of our young talent and encourage some of the old hands to be competitively active which will in turn give us the opportunity to raise the standard in Ayrshire Table Tennis and gain entry to Inter League.

The 2009 Ayrshire Schools Table Tennis Championships were at St Matthews Academy, Saltcoats on Sunday 15 February 2009. Initally under threat from lack of funding, Kilbirnie & Beith Councillor Anthea Dickson secured 11th hour support from North Ayrshire Council.

A very involved event which had great support from family and friends of the competetors.

Thank you to the tournament Committee of Ian MacPherson, Jim Love, Billy Main & Sean Doyle.

Results Below.  

Primary School

Girls Winner: Jill Taylor, Runner Up: Nicole Abrahanssen

Boys Winner: David Benson, Runner Up: George Beattie    

Under 12 Boys

Winner: Andrew MacPherson, Runner Up: George Beattie

Under 14

Girls Winner: Georgia Campbell, Runner Up: Katie Hanna 

Boys Winner: Grant Lewis, Runner up: Stuart Lewis

Under 16

Girls Winner: Sarah Paton, Runner Up: Katie Hanna

Boys Winner: Jamie Skelton, Runner Up: David Shanks

Under 12 Doubles

Winners: James Kennedy & Fraser Wright, Runners Up: David Benson & Craig Grant

Under 18 Doubles

Winners: Greg Campbell & David Love, Runners Up: Grant & Stuart Lewis

The final placings for the Senior Assessment are tabled below. Ayrshire was well represented in the Men's section with 7 competitors from three clubs. Richard Main - North Ayrshire & Alan McCarry - South Ayrshire both made the top 10. Last minute addition Sean Doyle from newly formed Garnock Valley TT  struggled against the regular league & competition players in his pool but is determined to enter again with some regular competitive play and practice behind him. (Probably won't go out night before either)

North Ayrshire Table Tennis Club will be hosting another national assesment. Below are Ayrshire's reprsentatives.

Scottish Senior Assesment on Sunday 8 February 2009 at St Matthew's Academy

Ayrshire Table Tennis Association is Now on Facebook. Search for Gossima Table.