Annual Report 12/13 - The English Table Tennis Association

26
weekend expertise especially with
the computer, Wendy Clarke for
her organisation during the two
weekends, and Stan Clarke for
the task of persuading clubs to
submit paperwork in time.
4.19.7 We also acknowledge the
contribution of our dual sponsors,
Teesport and Bribar Table Tennis,
for the supply of equipment.
4.20 National Junior League (NJL) &
National Cadet League (NCL)
4.20.1 This past season has been the
best ever for the number of teams
playing in NJL and NCL – 215
(193 in 11-12) in NJL and 236
(187) in NCL. The three main
factors in this have been:
i) The recruitment of new
organisers at Wensum
(Norwich), Okehampton, Bristol
and Scunthorpe and the return
of Ilfracombe as a NJL venue;
ii) The fact that NJL/NCL players
this season needed to be
members rather than licence
holders;
iii) That both of the “West and
East London Greenhouse
venues” offered and ran both
NJL and NCL on four different
days this year, rather than
combining them on the same
days.
4.20.2 All organisers provided in their
planning for the minimum nine
matches per day for their entrants
this season, but at a couple
of venues this did not actually
happen because teams did not
turn up and did not even let the
organiser know they were not
coming. This will hopefully be
addressed for next season.
4.20.3 Thanks to all organisers for the
excellent work they do, not only
throughout the season but also
pre-season in helping to recruit
teams in their locality. Particular
thanks here are due to Shawn
Haskell at Okehampton and Mark
Dare at Wensum.
4.21 Grand Prix
4.21.1 The Grand Prix circuit continues
to be a great opportunity for
players of all ages and genders to
compete domestically. Entries this
season are currently on course
to be slightly higher than last
season.
4.21.2 The Grand Prix Delivery Group
made a number of changes to the
Grand Prix format for the 2012/13
season. These included a return
of doubles, the addition of a
Women’s Band 4 and increasing
the size of women’s groups.
These changes have been viewed
as largely successful and will be
continued for 2013/14.
4.21.3 The 2012/13 season comprised
eight full events spread around
the country in Liverpool,
Guildford, Newcastle, Bristol,
Doncaster, Blackpool, London
and Medway. These were
complemented by satellite events
in Cardiff, North Herts, Sussex
and Jersey.
4.21.4 Russell Moore has provided
excellent coverage on the
ETTA website and social media
channels. We are currently
investigating live-streaming the
matches online from venues,
improving the photography and
looking at ways to engage further
with the local media.
4.21.5 ETTA wishes to acknowledge the
support of Bribar Table Tennis and
Tees Sport who supply equipment
and some financial support.
4.21.6 Huge thanks from all of us at
ETTA must go to the officials
(referees, deputies, assistants,
organisers and umpires) who
make all of the events possible.
A special vote of thanks must go
to Mick Strode as we wish him all
the best in his recovery.
4.22 English Leagues Cup
Competition (ELCC)
4.22.1 The sixth season in the new
format of the competition whose
origins go back to 1935. Apart
from the English Open it is the
oldest domestic event in the
calendar.
4.22.2 An increase in the Carter Cup
entries (Junior Boys) was pleasing
but it is still difficult to attract the
young ladies for the Bromfield
Trophy which saw a decrease of
three teams. The overall number
of teams was down by one to 75.
There was a change of referee this
year with Diane Webb acting in
this position and assisted by Mick
Strode.
4.22.3 At the time of writing, the zonal
rounds have taken place for the
junior events with the following
qualifying for the finals: Carter
Cup – Hull, Bournemouth A and
B, Leamington Spa A and B,
Reading, Wembley & Harrow
and North Herts. The Bromfield
Trophy five are: Warrington,
Bournemouth, Wembley & Harrow,
Kettering and North Middlesex.
4.22.4 The zonal rounds for the senior
events, the Wilmott Cup and JM
Rose Bowl, took place on 27th
April with the finals again at the
Westfield Table Tennis Centre,
Wellingborough, which has made
us so welcome over the last few
years. They will take place over
the weekend of 15th/16th June
2013. A verbal report will be
given at the AGM of these results.
4.22.5 Much appreciation, as always,
goes to the Local Leagues which
hosted the zonal rounds and
everyone who supported the
competition.
4.23 National Umpires & Referees
Committee (NURC)
4.23.1 The training programme was
extended this season, with
courses for prospective county
umpires in London, Basingstoke,
Sheffield and Brighton, and
refresher seminars for qualified
umpires in Widnes and Haringey.
An innovation was a course for
aspiring tournament referees,
combined with a refresher for
established referees, also held
in Haringey in conjunction
with a Coaching Conference
organised by PRO-ACTIVE North
London. Thanks are due to the
Regional Development Managers
concerned, whose co-operation
has been invaluable. There has
been continuing co-operation with
Sports Officials UK (SOUK) and
two members of the committee
will be attending a SOUK training
course for tutors.
4.23.2 Thirteen County Umpires and
three Local Umpires were
registered this year, and it was
encouraging to see so many
of the recent recruits active at
tournaments. There was also a
welcome increase of interest in
refereeing, with one candidate
completing the Tournament
Referee qualification, two others
reaching the Provisional TR stage
and several more currently taking
the written test. There were three
candidates for a National Umpire
examination to be held at the end
of the season.
4.23.3 English umpires attended
international competitions in