Taunton Table Tennis - Chairman’s 2009 Summary Review Report.

Overall, the club is thriving and continues to operate on a sound financial basis. However the Wednesday evening coaching sessions lack support and are therefore likely to become a drain on the junior finances unless attendance increases. The continuation of the sessions will need to be discussed to see if there is a way of making them more viable or whether it would be best to terminate or shorten them. In addition, attendance at Friday junior sessions has tailed off since the beginning of summer term and some additional recruitment activities may be required to boost membership.

The second annual Club tournament took place in September and the event proved to be even more popular than last years and another is planned for this year – I’d like to continue to encourage as many of you as possible to take part and make this a permanent fixture on the local table tennis scene. The Club also hosted the Somerset County Closed Championships in April 2009.

The expanded Saturday League now consisting of two divisions had another successful year ending with their tournament although there were some difficulties with teams dropping out and players not turning up for matches. Plans are already in train for the next season but the format may be changed to suit new circumstances.

An ongoing ladder competition has been introduced to the Friday evening practice sessions and has proved a popular innovation. I would like to thank Len Harriss for his efforts in introducing and providing ongoing support to this competition.

The Club continues to hold ClubMark status and in due course this will increase our prospects of obtaining more funds. We will continue to explore the possibility of dedicated premises for table tennis by, for example, building an add-on unit to Blackbrook Pavilion. No funds are available locally at the moment although there are still a number of other options to explore.

Last year Tim produced our first Club Member’s Handbook but external pressures mean he has been unable to produce one so far for this year, however it would be appreciated if a willing volunteer came forward to produce this item annually. Other clubs and leagues have sponsors: they fill the pages with sponsor’s adverts – if any of you know of anyone who’d like to sponsor the Club in this way then tell someone on the committee.

The Club didn’t hold a social event this year but if anyone has suggestions for next year please contact the social secretary.

Membership has settled at a sustainable level this year with a total of 45 seniors and juniors currently signed and paid up. Attendance is remaining steady with seniors averaging almost 22 per week but juniors attendance has fallen to under 9 (Friday sessions up to 29 May 2009). Playing standards are beginning to improve but we still have work to do in terms of coaching particularly at junior (15 to 18) level.

Summarising, this year Club development has continued to concentrate on table tennis for the enjoyment of players at all levels and providing opportunities for training for those wanting to improve their skills. We have a stable playing environment. The ongoing challenge for the coming year is to restructure the way in which the running of the Club is shared out.

Tim is and has been dedicated to “Our Club” and it is due to his devotion to the mass of detail that makes the Club wheels turn that we have a thriving Club with regular activities. Thanks Tim, we would not have a club like this without you! But in order for the Club to thrive Tim’s load needs to be lightened and he requires more help in the day to day running of the Club.

John Clarke also deserves special thanks: his effort in training our younger members has been tireless on both Wednesday and Friday evenings.

Without the support we have enjoyed from Martin Reading and Emma Kirby at St Augustine’s our Saturday League would not exist. So, I thank them on behalf of the Club and also the Blackbrook Pavilion staff headed up by Mark Washington.

Finally, I thank the many other Club members, including the Committee, who contribute to making the Club an enjoyable experience for all who come to play.

Terry Stainton

[Taunton Table Tennis] [About Taunton TT] [Contact Us] [News] [AGM 2009] [Chairman's Report] [FAQs] [Table Tennis Links]