Two members of the table tennis family are on the shortlist for prestigious awards.

Colin Clemett and Alex Mercer are both in the final three for honours at the Sports Officials UK (SOUK) National Officiating Awards.

Colin is in the running for the Lifetime Achievement Award, alongside Ivor Chaplin of the England & Wales Cricket Board and John Stainer of the Royal Lifesaving Society UK.

An Honorary Life Member of the ETTA since 1966, Colin received the Keith Ponting President’s Memorial Award at this years AGM.

He said: “It’s nice to be on the shortlist, but I must admit I’m not madly keen on awards – it’s my pleasure to do what I do, it’s just enjoyment.”

Alex, who has officiated at both the Youth Olympics and Commonwealth Games this year, is in line for the Young Official of the Year award.

Up against him in the category are Rhys Davies (Rugby Football Union) and Liam Willcox (British Swimming/ASA).

Alex said: “I wasn’t expecting it, but I’m really pleased to be on the shortlist. It’s a great honour as I’m sure there were a lot of good people put forward for the awards.”

The winners will be revealed at a ceremony at Staverton Park in Daventry on October 30.

Alex and Colin will be hoping to emulate the feats of Joshua Reynolds and Tony Chatwin, who respectively won the Young Official of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award at last year’s ceremony.

Paul Stimpson
October 10, 2014