Live Stream Link for Butterfly Michael Hawkesworth Championships 14/15 March

The Butterfly Michael Hawkesworth National Table Tennis Championships (Nationals for BTTAD) starts Saturday 14th March 2015 in Bristol. The tournament will be streamed live from 10:30am GMT (UK Time) on Saturday on youtube. Then 09:30 am (UK Time) Sunday.

https://www.youtube.com/user/BristolTTAcademy

The live stream will show just before the matches are due to start.

Don’t miss out on the action !!!

 

Ted Inge - BTTAD President remembered as follows….

Ted Inge (1926 - 2014)

President, BTTAD  (1993-2014)   

remembered as follows….

By Peter Taylor, Chairman, BTTAD and John Jenkins, Vice President, BTTAD, and President, SportsAble, former GB Paralympic Table Tennis Player. 

It is with great regret that I inform the members of the BTTAD of the passing of one of the key figures in the development of disability table tennis during the 70’s and 80’s, both in GB and on the world stage.     Ted was a driving force of not only GB Para Table tennis but World TT in the early days.

Ted became the team coach of the Paraplegic Squad heading up training and team selection and organising various international trips.  His first ‘major’ was the 1972 Paralympics in Heidelberg followed by the Commonwealth Games in 1974 in Dunedin, New Zealand.     Over the ensuing years, he led the GB Team through many European and World Championships and several Paralympic Games until the early 90’s with the Barcelona Paralympics in 1992 being his last.  He .became a member of the International Table Tennis Federation Para Table Tennis Division and then the secretary for the Seoul Paralympic Games table tennis event in 1988.

BTTAD was formed in 1993 after Ted had retired from the international scene but his contribution to wheelchair table tennis made him an excellent choice for President of the newly formed Association – a role he has occupied ever since.

He attended some of our early National Championships and the passion which had been so evident in the 70’s and 80’s was still there.    Ill health meant that he was unable to continue to attend our events.     Ted Inge was a man who achieved much in his lifetime and the contribution he made to the development of Disability Table Tennis was very considerable.

Disability Table Tennis has lost one of its legends in the passing of Ted Inge.    Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

Peter Taylor

Chairman  BTTAD

 

John Jenkins, Vice President, BTTAD, and President, SportsAble, former GB Paralympic Table Tennis Player. 

The following is the main text of the words John spoke at Ted’s funeral

TED INGE

“Ted first got involved in wheelchair table tennis in the late 1960s. He was a coach for his Sittingbourne Table Tennis club and was invited to Medway Table Tennis Club, for disabled players, where he started coaching too. A few wheelchair players, among them Ernie Fisher & Mike Oliver, who had experience of the National Paraplegic Games at Stoke Mandeville persuaded him to attend first a National Games in 1969 and then the training sessions at Stoke Mandeville. He quickly developed a passion for the wheelchair game and joined the small volunteer team of table tennis administrators /referees, notably Iris Moss and Stu Dane, who ran table tennis at Stoke - the Nationals, Internationals and training sessions. Ted became the team coach of the Paraplegic Squad heading up training and team selection and organising various international trips. His first ‘major’ was the 1972 Paralympics in Heidelberg followed by the Commonwealth Games in 1974 in Dunedin, New Zealand. Over the ensuing years, he led the GB Team through many European and World Championships and several Paralympic Games until the early 90’s with the Barcelona Paralympics in 1992 being his last. Failing eyesight at that time limited his playing and coaching activity as well as his ability to travel.

Ted was greatly respected for not only for his dedication to disability table tennis, particularly wheelchair table tennis, but also for his coaching ability and always for his sense of humour – that infectious chuckle and twinkle in his eye. He was greatly admired by the players for his ability to stoically represent table tennis to the ‘powers that be’ on the selection committees ensuring the sport had its fair share of budget and team places in the GB Paralympic Teams. And it was Ted who consolidated GB’s position and ranking as one of the leading nations in the sport in the world’s disability table tennis arena.

Ted’s standing and reputation was not limited to the UK as he was admired throughout the disability table tennis world becoming a member of the International Table Tennis Federation Para Table Tennis Division and then the secretary for the Seoul Paralympic Games table tennis event in 1988. This respect for Ted was evidenced when at the 1987 European Championships all the 250 players from 18 countries participating in the tournament gave him a rousing ovation, never previously witnessed. In 1993, Ted became first and only President of the foundling BTTAD, which is now the governing body of disability table tennis in Great Britain. And in 2000, Ted was presented the Stoke Mandeville based WheelPower “Service to Wheelchair Sport” award in 2000 in recognition of his contribution to the sport he loved.

 

Personally, I owe a lot to Ted and I will always be grateful to him. He was a great friend and helped me enormously to develop my game giving me the opportunity to represent Great Britain for over 10 years playing the great sport of table tennis all over the world. Whenever I think of Ted, I smile. Either for the way he used to curse my temperamental fore-hand or for snatching my back-hand or for the occasions we shared laughing and telling stories of times gone by. I know he will be greatly missed by all his many friends in the table tennis fraternity as well as in his many other circles. I know when they think of Ted, they will smile too.”

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INDEPENDENT NON –EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

BRITISH TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES   (BTTAD)

INDEPENDENT NON –EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

BTTAD is the recognised National Governing Body for Disability Table Tennis in the UK. Following a  major review and subsequent investment from UK Sport, 4 medals were achieved at the London 2012 Paralympics and   at least a similar medal tally at  the Rio Games in 2016 is anticipated.   In addition, BTTAD  runs a domestic competitions programme  and participates successfully in other international events . It seeks to work closely with Home Country Associations and Disability Organisations to influence and develop disability table tennis domestically and internationally.

Following a review of the governance structure in early 2014, BTTAD is now a charitable company limited by guarantee and wishes to appoint 2 Independent Non- Executive Directors in addition to the 3 Non- Executive Directors elected by BTTAD members. Board meets up to 4 times a year normally in Sheffield or the Midlands. This is a voluntary role but reasonable expenses will be paid for travel and other out of pocket expenses.

We are looking for individuals who can contribute to the strategic leadership of the sport and provide appropriate leadership and support to the executive team. The appointments would be for an initial period of 4 years, but members would be eligible to stand for reappointment at the end of their first term to a maximum of 8 years. Previous experience of working on a board is not essential;  however  all members are required to understand and demonstrate their commitment to the vital role the board plays in developing the sport and help the organisation to meet its legal and regulatory requirements.

If you are passionate about sport and would welcome the opportunity to work with us, please forward a brief CV and  a one page supporting statement which outlines your relevant skills and experiences to the Company Secretary, Mike Smith, at [email protected]  by November 30th with interviews held in  December  and appointment starting in January 2015.

 

Terry McLernon MBE honoured to carry Queen’s baton

TerryMclernonMBE

Terry McLernon MBE (Chairman of Table Tennis Scotland and Head Coach at Drumchapel Table Tennis Club) was nominated by players and staff from the very successful Drumchapel table tennis club to carry the Queen’s Baton for part of it’s journey through Glasgow for the commonwealth games.

Terry has developed the club from zero to hero through many years of hard work and can now boast to be one of the biggest clubs in Britain with over 300 members.

Disability table tennis is also high on the agenda at the club through Terry’s passion to make table tennis available for everyone.

Terry can be seen looking very proud sporting a “Braveheart” look in his kilt carrying the baton.

Congratulations Terry we salute you !!!

Photo courtesy of Studio Cee

The EFDS Table Tennis Grand Prix 2014

      When:     
      5th July 2014 to 6th July 2014
Where:
Wood Green Academy, Wood Green Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands, WS10 9QU
Cost
£35.00
Disability Sport Event
Disability Sport Event
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The EFDS Table Tennis Grand Prix 2014 is part of the ETTA Grand Prix Series.

All disabled players are welcome, and the event offers a great opportunity for participants to experience high level competition. We are running Class, Open and Doubles events across the weekend.

Click on the link below to get entry details etc.

PLEASE NOTE ENTRY FORM IS DONE ONLINE ONLY (Link below)

http://www.efds.co.uk/events/2800_efds_table_tennis_grand_prix

Please enter early as number of entries will determine if the event runs or not.

How table tennis helped Andrew recover from disease which left him in coma

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Andrew South (courtesy Michael Loveder)

Playing table tennis has been a key part of Andrew South’s battle to recover from a serious neurological disease which left him in a coma for two months.

The 33-year-old from Sheffield credits the sport with helping him recover his movement skills and improve his social interaction after a prolonged spell in hospital.

Andrew is battling the effects of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome – a potentially life-threatening reaction to neuroleptic drugs – which saw him admitted to the Northern General Hospital in April 2012.

He was introduced to table tennis as part of his rehabilitation in a residential unit between October 2012 and May 2013, and joined Albert Premier TTC in Darnall soon after, where he has been working with Level 3 coach Shaun Alvey.

The therapy has been so successful that Andrew competed at the British Table Tennis Association for people with Disabilities (BTTAD) national championships in March and is ready to join a league in September.

Andrew’s father Geoff, who is also his carer, said: “From being completely immobile, he has had to learn to crawl and walk again. Sometimes he was in a wheelchair and scared to move.

“Someone coming out of long-term trauma, they’re in a very fragile state. His consultant at the intensive treatment unit in Firs Hill (in Sheffield) got him on the table tennis table there, and he became quite proficient, so we tried to find somewhere for him to play after he left the unit.

“Luckily, we found Albert Premier and it’s fantastic. It really helps, it’s very therapeutic and Shaun is very good at dealing with people who are disabled. He’s very good at being strict, but understanding their needs. It’s just right for Andrew.”

Andrew himself, who has learning difficulties, added: “It’s helped me with my co-ordination and it’s helped me interact with people and get skills. I’ve got better at listening.

“I’m serving better and might be going to some tournaments and I’m joining a league in September.”

Shaun Alvey, who runs Inclusive Ping Pong Ltd, which aims to get more people with disabilities into table tennis, said: “Our motto is ‘It’s not disability, it’s about ability’ and we believe everyone can achieve something with the right people helping them in the right sport.

“In the time Andrew’s been coming to us he’s attended the BTTAD Championships in Grantham. Some people didn’t think he was ready but I thought it would be good experience for him to meet other people – and he won two matches.

“He regularly attends training sessions, he’s always there when he has the opportunity. We’re looking at entering him in a league from next season.”

For more information on Albert Premier TTC, visit http://albertttcentre.co.uk/

Two chosen to carry Queen’s Baton

Two members of the table tennis family have been chosen to carry the ETTA Nationals Sheffield 15Queen’s Baton on its way to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

ETTA board member Mike Smith will carry the baton in his home city of Leicester, while Jonny Pemberton will be part of the relay in Oxford.

Jonny was chosen for his work with the Ping! initiative last year, and Oxford City Council Go Active coordinator Vicki Galvin said: “Jonny was a real asset to Ping! Oxford in 2013 and we are really proud that he has been recognised alongside all the other sport volunteering that he does. He is a great role model to others.”

Mike has held a variety of roles in the sport, in club, league, county, regional and national contexts and is, among other positions, secretary of the British Table Tennis Association for people with Disabilities (BTTAD).

He said: “I’m proud to represent table tennis as a baton bearer in my city. The Commonwealth Games display sport in a very good light and remind people that sport is something everyone can get involved in. I’m honoured to be part of that.”

The relay will visit Oxford on June 6 and Leicester on June 10 in the build-up to the Games, which start on July 23.