HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Alex Murdoch
List of achievements include: Elected Chairman 2003 to date, Served on the Bedfordshire County TTA Committee for 17 years, Served on the North Hertfordshire TTA Committee for 25 years, Board of the British Olympic Table Tennis Federation (2004 to date), British Olympic Association Representative (2004 to date), Chairman, Board of the British Table Tennis Federation (2005 to date), Board of the European Table Tennis Federation (2005 to date), Board of Director Member International Table Tennis Federation (2006 to date)
Martin Clark
List of achievements include: ETTA Honorary Treasurer and Director since 2003/4 to date, Board member of the British Olympic Table Tennis Federation (2004 to 2006), Board member of the British Table Tennis Federation Ltd (2006 to date), Treasurer of Veterans’ English Table Tennis Society (2001 to date), Officer (Financial Expert) of the European Table Tennis Union (2008 to date), Current member of International Table Tennis Veterans Committee, Worcestershire County Association Press Officer from 1998/9 to 2002/3, Worcestershire County Association Treasurer from 2002/3 to date, Worcestershire County Player, Bromsgrove/Redditch & District TTA committee member (1993 to 2007), Treasurer and General Secretary (2002 to 2007), ETTA County Umpire since 2001, Volunteer at the 1998 Veterans World Championships and 2001, Volunteer at the Veterans European Championships in Rotterdam in 2007, Volunteer at the English Opens in Buckmore Park, Chatham in 2001, EIS in Sheffield in 2009 and 2011, Volunteer at ITTF Pro Tour finals at ExCel in 2011, Volunteer at ITTF Men’s World Cup at Echo Arena, Liverpool in 2012, Volunteer at 2012 London Olympics Anti Doping team for Table tennis
Richard Yule
Appointed as Chief Executive of ETTA in June 1995. Honoured for his work as Chief Executive of ETTA and his work in conjunction with ETTA major funding partners, Sport England and UK Sport, delivering significant levels of investment to Table Tennis via the Whole Sport Plan. He was elected Vice-President in 2002 and appointed Tournament Director for the 1997 World Championships, taking over from Mike Watts at the last moment, and for the English Open Championships in 2001. Richard was also Tournament Director for several National Championships, overseeing the event and liaising with television producers.
VICE-PRESIDENTS
Re-Elections
J Arnold MBE, J Blackband, PR Bradley, S Clarke, Mrs W Cunningham, P Day, KE Eliot, BR Granger, G Gurney, TM Honey, RB Hudson, T Inge, MC Macfarlane, WV Moran, Mrs J Parker MBE, LH Pilfold, DD Plowes, D Schofield, AL Seward, RH Sinclair, RJ Stevens, MD Strode, GA Taylor, DR Tremayne, C Villiers MBE, M Wolman.
NEW VICE-PRESIDENTS
Mrs Rosemary Ponting
For all the 54 years of marriage to Keith, Rosemary supported him at his Table Tennis activities, always at his side especially at special events, presenting trophies, etc. Together they represented the ETTA at the Queen’s Jubilee celebration at Westminster Cathedral; at the luncheon afterwards they were introduced to David Cameron (Prime Minister). This award is made by ETTA to acknowledge the commitment to Table Tennis.
Dave Evans
Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Grand Prix Committee since its inception to the present day. Member of Tournament Organisers Qualification Committee and latterly Delivery Group since 2000. Awarded the Maurice Goldstein Merit Award in 1998 for his service and contribution to the 1997 World Championships in Manchester. Held positions within national and international events including Venue Director, Qualification Event for Olympic Games in 1996, Assistant Venue Director in 44th World Championships 1997, World Veteran Championships 1998, 63rd English Open 1999, 64th English Open 2001 and organiser of the National Championships. The award is mainly for his role as Venue Department Head for the recent Men’s World Cup held in Liverpool last year. He was responsible for ensuring that the playing facilities were prepared to the required standard for this world event. A job he did so well with his small team of volunteers.
Eileen Shaler
Vice-Chairman (without Departmental Responsibility) from 2004/5 to 2005/6 and Vice-Chairman 2006/7 to present. Has served on the Leicestershire County TTA for many years currently as Chair of Selectors and also in the Hinckley League as General Secretary for many years and where last year she was elected as Deputy Chairman. Helps organise Veterans’ British League and is also Secretary of the Veterans’ English Table Tennis Society Committee. She has worked as a volunteer at the World Veteran’s Championships held at Manchester in 1997 and also at the Commonwealth Games at Manchester in 2002. Also worked as a volunteer at the 1994 European Championships held in Birmingham. Eileen has also helped organise two Veteran Six Nations Competitions in Halton and more recently in Wolverhampton Currently member of the ETTU Veterans Committee and has been asked to form part of the 2013 European Championships Organising Committee to be held in Bremen, Germany.
Michael Wilson
National Councillor 1998/9 to present, member of Membership Committee from 2009/10 to present. Received the Maurice Goldstein Merit Award 2010. Durham County TTA: Press Officer from 2006/7 to 1010/11 and Vice-Chairman from 2007/8 to present, elected Life Member in 2010, Development Officer from 1997 to present. Sunderland and District TTL: Chairman from 1993 to present, Press Officer from 1997 to 2009, Development Officer from 1997 to present, elected Life Member in 2010. Sunderland Table Tennis Club: one of three founder members in 1989, Chairman from 2001 to 2010, Development Officer from 2001 to present, acting Treasurer 2012 to present. Tyne and Wear English Schools’ Table Tennis Association: Chairman from 2000 to 2006.
Diana Jermyn
Qualified as County Umpire in 1979, National Umpire 1981 and International Umpire 1984. Umpires Controller at the World Championships 1997 and the World Veteran Championships 1998, awarded the Maurice Goldstein Merit Award in 1998. National Councillor for Cornwall from 2007 to present. Member of Tournaments Committee in 1998 and secretary from 2001 to present. Secretary of the Calendar Working Party from 2001 to present. Joined the Hampshire County Association as League Representative in 1978 to 1987. Cup Secretary of the North Hertfordshire TTL from 1996 to 2002 and its General Secretary from 1987 to 2002.
Diccon Gray
National Development Officer 1989, Acting Events Manager 1989, National Development Manager 1989, Director of Development from 1995 to 2007, Delivery and Facilities Manager from 2007 to 2010, National Competitions and Events Manager from 2010 to present. For his work over many years but specifically for the last season as Tournament Manager for the Men’s World Cup in 2012 where he ran the event, managing most aspects of the event for its duration, this at a time when he had major surgery and ongoing treatment.
IVOR MONTAGU AWARD
It was agreed to recommend Diane Webb for her work on archives, biography book on personalities, Membership Committee, English Leagues Cup Competition Delivery Group.
VICTOR BARNA AWARD
It was agreed to recommend Tin-Tin Ho who is still an under 15 competitor yet is achieving levels of success at every age group she competes in. She won the gold medal in the Cadet Singles in the French Youth Open, bronze in the European Youth Championships, and an individual bronze medal including a gold doubles in the Czech Youth Open. Internationally, she is winning medals in most competitions she plays. She was honoured by being selected to play for Europe in a four girl team against Asia and the Americas earlier this season, and is gaining a reputation in the under 18 category. Domestically, Tin-Tin played with grit and determination to win the Under 21 Women’s Singles and lost narrowly in the Women’s Singles to Kelly Sibley, the eventual champion, at the Senior National Championships, a performance to be admired from one so young. Tin-Tin is also the number one ranked player in England at both under 18 and under 15 age groups.
LESLIE FORREST MEMORIAL TROPHY
Presented at the County Championships Annual Conference. It was agreed to recommend Dave Roden for his outstanding contribution, in an administrative capacity, to promoting the County Championships for over 20 years.
MALCOLM SCOTT AWARD
It was agreed to recommend Peter Bradley – ETTA Deputy Chairman from 2007 to present and Vice-Chairman (Competitions) from 2003/4 to 2006, elected Vice-President in 1999, Assistant Organiser European Youth Top 10 in 2008, Venue Manager Commonwealth Games 2002, Racket Controller 2012 Paralympics, a tournament organiser of various tournaments, and a Life Member of the Veterans’ English Table Tennis Society.
THE JOHNNY LEACH MBE MOST IMPROVED ENGLAND PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
It was agreed to make the award to Sam Walker who is currently the England number one youth player. He decided 18 months ago to finish school after his GCSEs and play full- time. During that time he has developed into a player who shows what commitment, desire and hard work can achieve. Has made huge improvements technically and, more importantly, is learning the art of mental toughness and strength to overcome the rigours of international competition.
His international performances this season are impressive and he has kept an extremely high standard, winning a silver medal in the junior boys’ event at the ITTF Serbian Youth Open, and gaining numerous wins over top class European players throughout the season.
Many witnessed his undoubted improvement when he took the English National Senior Championships by storm. He won the Under 21 Men’s Singles title in an outstanding thriller against Richard Andrews, and went on to reach the semi-finals of the Men’s Singles, beating Daniel Reed and Chris Doran.
AK VINT STAFF AWARD
Awarded to Stephen Gertsen the regional coach for Eastern region has been awarded the ‘Staff of the year’ award. It is the first time that a regional coach has won this prestigious award and reflects well the commitment that Stephen has given to the job. He has been responsible for developing a community spirit in his region with players, coaches, volunteers and parents working closely together to enhance performance and participation in the region.
KEITH PONTING PRESIDENT’S MEMORIAL AWARD for LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Was awarded to Aubrey Drapkin. The following achievements have been recorded: ETTA Treasurer from 1980 to 1987, elected Vice-President in 1993 and ETTA 100 Club Treasurer for over 30 years. Qualified as County Umpire in 1975, National Umpire 1978, International Umpire 1984, Tournament Referee 1978 and National Referee in 1981. Committees: County Championships Administrator: 1979/80 to 1980/81, County Championships Committee: member: 1981/82 to 1983/84, Chairman: 1984/85 to 1986/87. British League Committee from 1991/92 to present. Northumberland County TTA: Chairman: 1987/88 to 1990/91 and 2008/90 to present, Press Officer: 1984/85 to 1990/91 and 2012/13. Umpires Secretary: 1997/98 to 2007/80.
Written by Rob Sinclair, General Secretary (July 22, 2013)