Alan Ransome has been presented with an honorary degree from Teesside University.

He became a Doctor in Professional Achievement at a graduation ceremony in his native north east earlier this week.

Mr Ransome has been one of the leading figures in English and international table tennis for many years and has previously been awarded the OBE for services to the sport.

He is a life member of the ETTA/Table Tennis England, is a former chairman of the ETTA and is current chairman of the Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation

He has also led the Ormesby team to the European Club championship, has coached England teams, and was manager of the GB table tennis team at the 1996 Olympics.

Of his latest honour, Mr Ransome said: “It is a major honour and I am delighted to receive it but this would not have been achieved or even possible without other people especially players, coaches and other volunteers.

“It really is a whole army of people who have made it possible and for that I am very grateful.

“I have had to be the coach or the captain and lead them, but the point is that you cannot undertake this kind of thing on your own.

“You have to be part of a team.”

At the ceremony, Mr Ransome also encouraged students to experience the benefits of them sport.

He said: “I would like students and graduates alike to be aware what sports can do for them. It has helped me over the years and it can improve communities and themselves.

“There are numerous benefits of being involved in sports and it’s an education in itself.”

Click here to read the full citation from the ceremony

Paul Stimpson
November 27, 2014