NEWSLETTER SPRING 2023
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2023
While a great deal of this newsletter will focus on competitive table tennis our club is equally focussed on those playing just for the enjoyment and exercise.
Newton Abbot Table Tennis Club currently have 68 members playing in the South Devon and Torbay Table Tennis League in 14 teams representing the club and a further 8 members representing the club in the Senior British League and Veterans British League. Our attendance register currently has over 120 names on it, the additional names being social players, juniors, beginners, and players from other clubs enjoying our club sessions.
EASTER CLOSURE
Teign School will not be open on Good Friday 7th April or Easter Saturday 8th April so no TT club sessions
SOUTH DEVON AND TORBAY LEAGUE
The standard at the top of the First Division is exceptional, probably as good as we have ever seen it. Torbay Academy 1, with an outstanding team, should go through the season unbeaten leaving our best two sides NA Batmen and NA Buzzards in their wake at the top of the table. NA Eagles are the best of the rest while our Condors have been struggling with availability issues resulting in many reserves stepping up to help out.
The second division is very strong and competitive. Our three teams the Falcons, Raptors and Owls have all competed well, had their moments and will be battling it out to finish in the top half of the table.
The strengthened Torbay Academy 3 team will probably not be caught in the third division although both the Grove and our NA Kestrels will keep the pressure on. Our Hawks have had a disappointing season by their standards (although they are the only team to defeat the Academy 3 team) and have had availability and injury issues while our three man Harriers team have had some fine victories.
Dawlish Renegades had won all of their games before they strengthened their team and along with Torbay Academy 6 (Division 4 winners in 2019-20) it was always going to be difficult for youngsters and those new to the game to compete. Our Merlins have had their moments, leading the division at one stage! Our Ospreys and Kites have also played well on occasions. Our young Vultures team have dug in and come up with some excellent results and will not be propping up the division this year!!
Each season Newton Abbot TTC make every effort to place all our players in divisions which best suits their ability, however this does put the club at a disadvantage over clubs that drop players down a division or two in order to try and win the division. Or, as has happened for the last two seasons, sign on players after the start of the season in a division that they are far too good for. This practice, particularly in the bottom division, is not good for the player involved or their opponents who, in many instances, are new to the game.
HANDICAP TEAM CUP COMPETITIONS
We have had some very notable victories in cup competitions. In the Handicap singles the Raptors have reached the semi-final while the Ospreys and Harriers will be hoping to join them.
The Ospreys, Kestrels and Raptors are all still currently in the Handicap Dyment Doubles competition at the quarter final stage and hoping to progress in the next few weeks.
SOUTH DEVON & TORBAY ANNUAL CLOSED TOURNAMENT AND FINALS NIGHT
Our local league’s Closed Tournament for league players is on Sunday 2nd April at the Torbay Leisure Centre, Goodrington, Paignton. This is an all-day affair with 16 events taking place throughout the day. A full day’s TT and your chance to play against some of the best players in the league. Singles, Doubles, Veterans, Junior and Divisional Events will all be happening and it would be great to see a good contingent of Newton Abbot players taking part. There is also a free to enter under 11 and under 13 competition open to non-league players.
The finals of the main events and the presentation of all the league’s awards will take place on the following Tuesday 4th April (19:00) at Stover School, Newton Abbot. Again your support for this event would be much appreciated.
If you would like an entry form or wish to know more about the tournament speak to either Sonja or myself, as it is again being run by our club.
Entry Form:
VETERANS BRITISH LEAGUE
Recently Newton Abbot TTC travelled up to Derby to participate in the second and final weekend of the Veterans British League. After only joining the league last season and gaining promotion from Division Four the team went in to the weekend well placed to secure another promotion after a great start in the first round of matches when they secured 8 points. With two more wins and three draws this weekend another seven points were gained clinching 2nd place and promotion in this prestigious competition. A fantastic effort from Kevin Nicholls, Mike Hugh, Kevin Taylor and Simon James who are already looking forward to the challenge ahead in Division Two next season.
Team captain Kevin Nicholls was keen to mention all the organisers that made the weekend possible and all fellow competitors who all, without exception, played some awesome table tennis, all played in the right spirit.
NA Veterans
THE WORLD VETERANS CHAMPIONSHIPS – OMAN
Kevin Nicholls travelled to Oman to take part in the World Veterans Championships and competed exceptionally well. While not progressing too far in the main events, Kevin reached the semi-final of the Mens 50+ singles consolation event, losing out 12-10, 7-11, 11-4, 11-9 to Pavel Hausschwitz of Czech Republic. Partnered by Brazilian Paulo Augusto Martinez, Kevin went one better in the Mens 50+ doubles consolation event losing out in the final but collecting a silver medal. Bring on Rome 2024!
PARKHOUSE PAIRS 2023
Following the success of last year’s competition this event will be an annual event run during the early summer months. It is anticipated we will start this competition towards the end of April 2023. Using the whole sports hall we will hopefully get over the overcrowding issues suffered at times last year. We will probably have to restrict entry to a similar number to last season, 21 teams. All those who entered last season will be given an invite. If you wish to enter a team and you didn’t compete last year speak to me to get a form and get your entry in quick. April is not far away!!!
PARKHOUSE Pairs 2022
NEWTON ABBOT TTC CLUB COMPETITIONS
The Singles Shield, Albany Florist’s Cup and the Don Blatchford Cup competitions will all take place during September 2023 within our club sessions. Exact dates to follow.
SUMMER CLUB SESSIONS
I am looking for a number of members to run 4 sessions during July. I shall be away for the club sessions on Friday 14th July, Saturday 15th July, Friday 21st July and Saturday 22nd July. During the summer months we only hire 3 badminton courts on a Friday (Up to 15 tables) and 2 badminton courts on a Saturday (Up to 10 tables). I need volunteers to set up the tables on Friday night and collect the session fees and also volunteers to take down the tables and collect the session fees on a Saturday (usually plenty of help on a Saturday from players). Alternatively, if no help is forthcoming we will cancel these sessions. I would like to avoid this as it breaks the continuity and could lead to us shutting down throughout July and August.
CLUB KIT
Purple match shirts, in small, medium, large and x large sizes, are all available for just £8 thanks to the generosity of our sponsor, Albany Florists.
We are hoping to set up a club shop with VX3 in the future where you will be able to buy all manner of clothing direct from the supplier all carrying our club logo
TABLE TENNIS BATS & OTHER SPECIALIST TT EQUIPMENT
I have a number of excellent new bats suitable for beginners and lower league players at just £18 each, including a bat case. These have been specially put together to aid coaching in the early stage of development and are recommended by top club coaches.
Any other equipment can be bought from Bribar through the club which will enable savings to be made on catalogue and website prices. Speak to me if you require anything.
STUDENTS / TEIGN SCHOOL
We currently run an after-school club at Teign School and are assisting several students, mainly from Teign School, who are taking table tennis as part of their GCSE PE course.
We are happy to help as much as we can and wish you success in your endeavours.
NA BUZZARDS
The Buzzards kicked off their busy 2023 social diary with a skittles and steak evening to mark our Kev’s birthday. Planned for the same day as the teachers’ strike I felt that a strike on the alley would not be appropriate, however our Kev felt differently and proceeded to strike on more than one occasion winning the skittles and his prize a taste of lime pie following his steak!
Best of luck to all of our teams for the rest of the season and don’t forget the end of season tournament and finals night.
