CAMBRIDGE & DISTRICT TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE
Minutes of the AGM held on 24.6.09
A minute’s silence was held in memory of Steve Westgate, Secretary of the Sawston TT Club, who sadly passed away in April.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Steve Stafford, Mick Byrd, Bernie Shannon, Derek Sidaway, Rob Cushen.
Brian Judd reported that he had attended the majority of Committee meetings this season. He assured the League members that the Committee have worked very hard on their behalf. He was saddened to hear of Steve Westgate passing away and was concerned to hear that Steve Stafford was not very well.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Agreed.
MATTERS ARISING
None.
GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT
The Committee had met on 6 occasions and thanks were recorded to all the members, plus Pat O’Bryne for letting us continue to hold meetings at his house and for providing us with cups of tea. Special thanks to Brian Freer for giving so much of his time in both his posts and to Bob Pettit for continuing to provide a regular supply of reports to the paper. Bob could, however, definitely do with receiving more match reports/anecdotes from team captains. Rob Cushen will be standing down from the Committee. He will be missed as he has brought some fresh thinking to our meetings. Derek Sidaway will be moving out of the area and acknowledgement was recorded to him for keeping us all up to date with ETTA coaching initiatives. Congratulations to Bob Pettit on obtaining his County Umpire’s badge, for the second time, many years after the first. Thanks again to Martyn Livermore and Brian Freer for running a successful League tournament, at the Ross Peers Sports Centre in Soham, in January, and to Martin Gray for organising the tables and for setting them up almost single-handedly. More help is needed from League members in the setting up and taking down of the equipment as this is a physically demanding job and not one that should be done by members playing in or running the tournament. Volunteers will be sought next season. Shaun Hall from the University won the Men’s Singles and Caroline Wright the Ladies’ Singles. Appreciation for all their umpiring was recorded to Derek Sidaway and Pat O’Bryne, and to Sam Wilkin for helping on the day. The County Tournament was again held at Neale Wade School in March. Martin Gray retained his title by winning the Men’s Singles. And newcomer Kamila Kajniak from Poland, won the Ladies’ Singles. The following League players represented the County over the past season: Seniors: Martin Gray, Kevin Gray, Simon Pryke, Maria Boulton, Caroline Wright, and Helen Arnold. Veterans: Dave Tiplady, Kevin Gray, Liwu Wei, Dave Rowell, Alan Smith, Yvette Hooks, Reno Phyo, Steve Trevanion, Mandy Mills, Andy Merritt, Rod Hatton, Terry Lane and Roger Fensom.
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COMPETITION SECRETARY’S REPORT
Brian Freer circulated his report. The League had comprised of 42 teams from 15 clubs with 216 players registered. A total of 400 matches were scheduled, of which 4 were conceded and 31 played with players short. The League ran smoothly with few difficulties having to be resolved by the Committee, and there was a significant reduction in the usual pile up of postponed fixtures towards the end of the season. This would seem to indicate that the new Rule 14 concerning postponements had improved matters. Brian thanked all the Team Captains for their efforts in applying which indicated that the new rule regarding postponements had improved matters. The Handicap Knockout Cup had 28 entries with the Final being played at the Fulbourn Centre.
Winning teams were:
Div 1: St Georges 1
Div 2: St Neots
Div 3: Priory Youth
Div 4: Impington 4
Handicap: St Neots
The Accounts were circulated. Brian apologised that they had not been audited yet. Team registration and County affiliation was obviously down as there were fewer teams in the League, however individual player registration was up. Expenditure on trophies was up on the previous year, and there was also an increase in expenditure on representative matches as our Rose Bowl team had to travel further this year. None of our members had attended any coaching courses this year. Although the League Tournament had made a loss of £105, this was mainly due to lack of sponsorship. The actual cost of running it had been less than in the previous year, as the new venue was considerably cheaper. Brian thanked all those who put time and effort into helping run the Tournament. The overall surplus for the year was down a bit, but the League is still in a fairly strong healthy position. Brian was thanked for all his hard work, both as Treasurer and
Competitions Secretary.
Individual Membership
A letter from the ETTA Chief Executive, explaining Individual Membership, had been circulated.
Brian Freer explained that when this comes into force, every individual member of the League will be registered with the ETTA rather than teams of four players. We will need to look at our League Rules and amend where necessary to cover additional registrations as they arise, and also seek clarification from the ETTA regarding last minute registrations and the insurance cover for these individuals.
In the Wilmott Cup, Cambridge once again hosted the group at St Neots. The League was represented by Martin and Kevin Gray, and the other teams came from Norwich, Ilford and Leicester. Cambridge beat Leicester 4-1 and Norwich 5-0, however after a hard fought match, Cambridge lost to Ilford 1-4. Thanks to the St Neots TT Club for providing the excellent venue and to Derek Sidaway and Bob Pettit for their umpiring. In the Rose Bowl, our Women’s team of Maria Boulton, Kamila Kajniak and Caroline Wright, had been given a bye through to the finals which were played at Draycott & Long Eaton TT Centre in Derby. They were one of 8 teams present and were drawn in a group with Ellesmere Port, Leicester and Guildford. They beat Ellesmere Port 4-1 and Guildford 5-0 but lost narrowly to Leicester, the favourites, by 2-3. Leicester included the England No. 10 and former international, Karen Smith, in their team, so Kamila did extremely well to take a set off her. This left Cambridge to play Derby, the runners-up
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of the other group, for overall 3rd/4th place. Cambridge produced a winning margin of 3-1 to finish in a magnificent 3rd place. Leicester won the competition, beating Leeds 3-1 in the final. The Cambridge team were the dark horses of the competition as our players do not participate on the tournament circuit, and were therefore unknown to most of those present. With Kamila and Maria each winning 7 out of their 8 singles, Caroline contributing to a doubles win, and encouraging advice and support on the day from Martin Gray, the team’s performance was acknowledged as an exceptional effort by all who witnessed it. Congratulations to them all.
COACHING SECRETARY’S REPORT
Derek Sidaway reported that he will be resigning from this post as he will be moving out of the area. He was very disappointed that he and Pat O’Bryne could not continue to coach at Netherhall School. For unknown reasons the school did not want this free service. He hoped that the boys, particularly the promising ones, had joined the clubs that he had told them about the previous year.
Living Sport had appeared enthusiastic about coaching but, despite informing them of the Oakington Club’s participation and completing all the necessary forms, Derek had not heard any more from them. He had coached juniors at his club.
Brian Judd stated that he will go through the Accounts in the next few days.
The Executive Committee had proposed the following:
“ ..... Failure to comply will entail a fine of £10.00.”
Carried unanimously.
RULE 13 At the end of the rule after “..... per occasion.” Add: In addition Home Team Captains/Secretaries must submit a brief match report to the nominated press officer by e-mail or telephone within the same time period. Non-compliance will also result in the fine being levied. Not carried as voting equal, 9 For and 9 Against. RULE 14 At the end of the rule amend N.B. to read: “ The unavailability of a Player or Players is not regarded as exceptional circumstances when a Club has players in lower ranked Teams.” Carried unanimously.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The following were elected unopposed:
President: Brian Judd Life Vice-President: Tony BrotchieVice-Presidents: Paul Day, Steve Stafford, John Cornwell, Ruth Puddick,
Pat O’Bryne, Colin Cushen, John Loker
Keith Richardson, Roger Fensom and Rob Trigg were newly elected.
Chairman: Dave Harrison
Vice-Chairman: Mick Byrd
General Secretary: Val Parkes
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Competitions Secretary: Brian Freer
Treasurer: Brian Freer
Match Secretary: Val Parkes
Coaching Secretary: Vacant
Committee Members: Martyn Livermore, Bob Pettit, Martin Gray, Caroline Wright
County Delegates: Martin Gray, Val Parkes
Auditor: Brian Judd
Members were asked to enquire within their Clubs if anyone was willing to take on the post of Coaching Secretary.
Cultural Olympiad Weekend
Cambridge City Council are planning to open the Corn Exchange on Saturday 25th July, where arts and indoor sports activities can offer taster sessions/demonstrations for members of the public. Volunteers were sought from members of the League to go along in the morning. Kevin Gray had already indicated he was willing to go and members of the St Georges Club offered their services.
The General Secretary will inform the City Council of our participation.
Voting Rights
Howard Morley enquired about the voting rights of individual members at the AGM. He was concerned that the current rules stated “one vote per team represented at the meeting”, and felt that all individual members who attended should be allowed to vote. He was informed that he could propose a rule change to this effect, if he wished, but this must reach the General Secretary by 31st
March in order for it to be put to the following AGM.
AGM Agenda
In order that as many members as possible are made aware of the AGM, it was agreed that in future the AGM Agenda should be put on the League’s website.