You have only to look at the accompanying roll of honour to see what a successful playing campaign the club has enjoyed. I hope every member feels proud of what we have achieved, whether you were a trophy winner, a member of a successful team or not. All of us provide the competition and support on a weekly basis and that is what makes the club so successful.
However, this season has been a turning point in the 38 year history of the club. Since September we have set up a coaching regime which is already reaping its benefits and which I know will realise even more success in the not too distant future. Every junior member, and many of our adults, now has access to quality coaching weekly. Our newly appointed Director of Coaching, Chris Mulligan, ably supported by his excellent team of coaches (Tom Brocklehurst, Andy Davies, Luke Hobbins and Tom Hunt with our apprentices, Phil Blowey and Roald Myers) work selfishly to give our youngsters the best possible guidance in table-tennis skills and, dare I suggest, life skills too. We are losing Phil to university (we wish him well) but are already training Scott Delday, Callum Guest and Ben Haigh to replace him. The team are constantly coming up with new ideas and refining what we do. They give up four hours of their time every Saturday to ensure we have enough groups to facilitate individual coaching. Sitting on the side, I can see the obvious improvement and it excites me.
I am sure we will constantly tinker with what we do to ensure you all have a club in which every one of you can thrive.
As well as the coaching team that have transformed the club, I would like to pay tribute to the committee who have acted as the catalyst for the changes. Tom Brocklehurst, Jane and Lauren Delday, Keith Knott, Cherry Matthews, Chris Mulligan, Lindy and Roald Myers, Sarah Snelson, Russell Spencer and Estyn Williams provide good leadership and the enthusiastic backing for our ambitious plans. I would particularly like to thank the many parents, too numerous to mention, who run teams and who constantly show their appreciation by sending me kind e-mails about our work. During my “confinement” due to a broken leg Lindy Myers took the mantle in ensuring, with help, that the club was always supervised and that matches ran smoothly. During this Summer, Lindy and I have been joined by Pete Rourke in running club night on a Wednesday. (7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. at Free Church throughout the Summer including the school Summer holidays).
I must mention the splendid Free Church Graded tournaments run by Hugh and Cherry Matthews. As the club faces up to the fact that subscriptions will have to rise over the foreseeable future, the tournaments have ensured we are able to keep our heads above water. Cherry and Hugh devote much of their time to these events and I am glad to say that they have been rewarded by an increased entry from club members who are reaping the benefits of good competition on their door-step. I could not add all the trophy winners to our Roll of Honour because they are too numerous (There is a rumour that the Snelsons are having to build an extension to house Charlie’s trophies!!) but there is still scope for more of you to enter and help our club meet its costs. Also, anyone available to help setting out the venue on Fridays or putting away on Saturdays would be most appreciated.
What of the future. We have 11 youngsters (all boys) on our waiting list so our popularity will ensure a throughput of talent. Our coaches will ensure more playing success. Our next challenge will be to see if we can help the church to build a new church and purpose-built hall on our site. Much of the groundwork has already been done and I am hopeful that in the months to come we can share the details of the proposed project.
Phil John
