The Board of Table Tennis England has agreed that, working together, they want to restore trust, respect, confidence and harmony within the Board.

The Board unanimously accepts the findings of the Stockwell Report. The issues that led to both the Stockwell Report and the EGM being called will be reviewed and all parties will work to find lasting solutions. We all urge the membership to back the whole Board and engage productively with that process.

Tony Catt (Elected Deputy Chairman) has apologised to the Board and staff for any offence caused and directly to Sandra Deaton (Chairman) and Sara Sutcliffe (Chief Executive). Tony will now undertake and prioritise an agreed programme of training, education and mentoring.

The Board undertook an external evaluation process in the second half of 2020 with the Sport & Recreation Alliance and will introduce some wider board training as part of that process.

Sandra Deaton said: “This has been a very difficult period for everyone involved. Whilst the Board in no way accepts or condones the behaviours that the Stockwell Report found, it is committed to finding lasting solutions that ensure that the Board can continue to move forward together.”

Tony Catt said: “I am looking to move forward positively and genuinely hope that I will be able to re-establish the trust, respect, confidence and friendship with my fellow Directors and work together as a strong unit for the benefit of table tennis.

“I want to continue to contribute to the running of Table Tennis England but I accept I need to be more collaborative in my approach particularly if I want to delve into more detail.”

Sara Sutcliffe said: “I welcome the commitment of the Board to work together and restore the productive and collaborative relationships that should exist between a Board and Senior Leadership team.

“We need to focus our collective energies on supporting clubs, leagues, coaches, volunteers and members to be able to return to playing table tennis in a safe and fun environment as soon as possible.

“There are lots of exciting projects on the horizon, not least a review of our own strategy taking into account the immediate needs of recovery with the longer-term ambitions of growth and supporting the new Sport England strategy of Uniting the Movement.”