I hope that you are all still safe and well during the slowly improving Covid 19 situation. We are taking this opportunity to update you on where we are as a League as we hope to return to some semblance of normality.
When I last wrote to you, I gave an assurance that the EC will take steps to ensure that no player will be out of pocket as a result of the aborted start to the envisaged 2020-21 season; particularly with regard to Table Tennis England (TTE) player affiliation fees. There is a proposal at the Table Tennis England (TTE) AGM from Chris Dangerfield that anyone who paid the 2020/21 affiliation fee is offered a full discount on the 2021/22 affiliation fee. If this resolution is not carried the MTTTL will honour its commitment to pay £50.00 to every Team that registered for season 2020/2021.
With a view to encouraging players to start playing again when we emerge from the lockdown, I can assure you that the EC’s commitment to waive all MTTTL registration fees and County fees for the 2021-22 season will also be honoured. This will also apply to any fees for tournaments or championships that the EC may arrange and to the Development League.
As you are no doubt aware indoor table tennis is now allowed in bubbles of six and, hopefully from 21st June all restrictions will be lifted, and League table tennis allowed as usual.
More information on the path to resumption, can be found on the TTE website at https://tabletennisengland.co.uk/news/archived/coronavirus-update/. It goes without saying that this is an ever-changing situation and the Government’s roadmap and TTE advice may change at short notice. For that reason, I have not attempted to reproduce any detailed guidance here as it may be out of date by the time you read this. We strongly recommend that you check the website regularly for the latest advice. Of particular concern is the so-called Indian Variant that may have an impact on the Government’s timetable.
Provided the Government’s roadmap sticks, the EC is still planning for the 2021-22 season to start on Monday 13th September 2021, no registration meeting will be required this season as the fees are being waived for MTTTL. The full timetable to resumption will be prepared by the EC for publication in the early summer.
The 2021 AGM will be held “in person” on Monday 12th July 2021 at the Upchurch Village Hall, The Street, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, ME9 7EU.
In conjunction it is anticipated that the outstanding final of the 2019-20 Charles Stampe Trophy will be played following the AGM.
To help players prepare for the new season, the EC has hired the Upchurch Village Hall on Monday evenings from 5th July to the end of August to allow for free knocking on three tables. More details on how this will operate will be circulated in due course.
It is with great sadness that we have to report the recent death of Jim Bradford.
Jim (88) a legend of the 'dodgy' bat, played for Boxley TTC for many years and took over the Secretary role from 1984. He joined the MTTTL Committee in 1987 and from 1988-89 season was the Trophy Secretary. Jim was affectionately known as Victor Meldrew!
Our sincere condolences are extended to Jim's wife, friends and family.
Finally, I remain very concerned at the number of active members of the EC; as it stands our commitments detailed above may not be achievable without additional help. Gary, at generalsecretary@mtttl.co.uk, would like to hear from anyone interested in coming on to the EC. We are down to the bare bones now with only a handful of people able to fully commit to the League for the 2021-2022 season.
Please keep safe. All being well, and without variants, we will meet to play again.
Peter Stokes
Chairman
