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.