New Milton Table Tennis Club

Singles and Doubles Wins for Andrew

New Milton’s Andrew Stainton shone at the recent Finals Night of the Bournemouth and District Table Tennis Association, as he picked up a Singles and Doubles title.

But first up, the club’s new chairman Brian Vibert took on Winton YMCA’s Ian Johnstone in the Vets Over 60’s final.  It was expected to be quite a tight match, considering the players’ similar winning averages in the Premier, i.e. Vibert on 70% and Johnstone on 61%.

However, Vibert got straight into his stride and imperiously took the first two sets 11-2 and 11-4.  Johnstone gradually began to work Vibert out, and floated the balls back with no spin, and took the third 11-8.  This was only a temporary set-back for Vibert, who reversed the 11-8 scoreline in the fourth set to win the Over 60’s title.

It was a very interesting combination of players in the Mixed Doubles final.  New Milton’s Andrew Stainton from the Premier, teamed up with Merton’s Gaynor Fisher, who plays in Division 3.  They were mirrored by former Milton player Helena Holland (a team mate of Gaynor’s) and the Premier’s Simon Fox from the Bournemouth Sports club.

It was a bit “nip and tuck” in the first set, as Helena and Simon won it 11-7.  However, Andrew’s powerful forehand drives, and very tricky serves, came to the fore, to help win the next two sets 11-9.  Andrew’s partner Gaynor did exactly what was required from her in the fourth set to help win the match 11-5, and share in the Mixed Doubles title.

The New Milton club were very proud to have two of their players, Andrew Stainton and Max Bannon in the final of the prestigious Bournemouth & District Closed event.  Andrew could be said to have the advantage over his Premier team mate, with a superior winning average in the league.  It is also fair to say that Andrew was fully fired up after his Doubles victory, and that Max hadn’t had much of a chance to warm up.  Max therefore found it very difficult to get into the game, with Andrew showing no mercy once again with his powerful forehand drives and very tricky serves.  There were some excellent exchanges, but Andrew won the title 11-4, 11-4, 11-4.

The New Milton Club is hoping to go from strength to strength, having moved to the New Milton Memorial Centre, after being away from New Milton for many years.  Currently the Memorial Centre is only used for practice nights (Thursdays), with league matches – and Sunday club nights – continuing to be played at the Mudeford Wood Community Centre for now.

The Club is always on the lookout for new members, from experienced players to absolute beginners.  Anybody wishing to find out more about our very friendly club should look on our website (www.newmiltonttc.com) or contact Chairman Brian Vibert on 07952 974657, or Secretary Bev Scott-Johns on 01425 619552.

Reported by Malcolm Floyd.

Photos:

New Milton Table Tennis Club has kicked off an exciting new coaching initiative together with Arnewood School, offering both a free open group session for the community and a brand-new after-school club for pupils.

The first group coaching evening, held on Wednesday 5th November, attracted a fantastic turnout of players of all ages and abilities, providing a fun and engaging opportunity for participants to develop and enjoy the sport together, under the expert guidance of England international Matthew Daish and co-head coach Andrew Stainton.

Building on this success, the club has also launched a weekly after-school table tennis club at Arnewood, giving pupils the chance to learn from NMTTC’s experienced coaches in a friendly, fun and supportive environment.

“We were thrilled to see so many enthusiastic players at the first session,” said NMTTC Chairman Brian Vibert, “We feel privileged to be able to make the sport more accessible locally.”

Weekly group coaching continues every Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 9:00pm at Arnewood School, with future sessions priced at £5 for juniors, £8 for adult members and £10 for non-members.

For more information, visit www.newmiltonttc.com or speak to the coaches at one of the upcoming sessions.

New Milton TTC held a summer pairs’ competition at Mudeford Wood Community Centre. The event was held on Monday evenings, beginning from 2^nd June and continuing until 8^th September, apart from 31^st July (AGM). The pairs was an informal competition and over 40 people took part including club members from New Milton, Merton and Bournemouth Sports, together with some people who only play socially. Generally, the responses from participants taking part were positive.

The maximum number of teams that could be created was eight because the club only has access to the main hall on Monday evenings and 14 weeks were required to complete the pairs programme.

Members who had previously been allocated a league handicap of 45 or less were treated as seeded players. Where there were two or more seeded players in a single team then only one seeded player could play at any one time together with a lower league or social player to try to ensure equity.

The final league table of the Summer Pairs as of 8^th Sept. was as follows:

Very many congratulations to the Ospreys who led the table throughout the summer months and finished the season on 154 points, the members being Nigel Bliss, Paul Iliffe, Trenton Hendy and Ian Anstead. After an excellent team performance, the Kites finished the season in a strong second place with 146 points, the members being Chris Pusey, David Forbes and Terry Jenvey. Last year’s champions the Kestrels were in third place on 134 points.

The Sandy Fagan Memorial Trophy was presented to the winning team at the club night held on 12^th October 2025. Sandy Fagan was the former New Milton club secretary who sadly passed away in November 2015.

I would like to express thanks to everyone who took part and helped me with the administration.

BM Scott-Johns, Secretary
26/10/2025

The New Milton Table Tennis Club recently held their combined AGM/Presentation Evening down at the Mudeford Wood Community Centre.

At a pleasingly well attended evening, Club Secretary Bev Scott-Johns reported that 8 teams had been entered into the Bournemouth and District League last season, with 2 promotions and no relegations.  Looking forward to playing in the Premier League next season, the B Team (Shaun Newcomb (captain), Max Bannon, Ian Hamilton & Nigel Bliss) won the Division 1 title.  Taking their place in Division 1, the C Team (Andrew Daish, Toby Staddon, Simon Daish, Gerard Redman & James Harper) finished up as runners-up of Division 2.  The A team finished up a creditable fourth in the Premier, aided and abetted by super-star Matthew Daish winning all 28 of his matches.

There were also successes in the Bournemouth and District Annual Individual Championships, with 3 New Milton players making it through to the Finals.  The prestigious Bournemouth Closed Singles was won imperiously by Matthew Daish; and 18 year old Toby Staddon won the Bournemouth Closed Handicap Singles by beating club mate Max Bannon aged 21. Bannon played very well in the Division 1 Singles final, but lost out to Winton’s much more experienced Adam Elcock to come runner-up.

Club Treasurer Chris Pusey dampened proceedings a bit by pointing out that the Club’s finances took a bit of a dip last season.  However, this stimulated much animated and positive debate about how best to take the club forward, and centred around beefing up the coaching & development, harnessing the full potential of social media and IT, and attracting new players, of course.  It was agreed that the club could look for suitable sponsorships.  It was also agreed to change the club pricing structure to incorporate an optional “one off” annual subscription. To help bolster club finances, it was agreed to increase the annual subscription from £40 to £50 for Seniors, but remaining at £10 for juniors & students.  Senior club night fees would increase from £3 to £4, but juniors & students would remain at £1 per night.

The elections for committee officers and members got under way with Brian Vibert being voted in as Chair.  Local businessman Brian has a long association with the club, and is also well known in cricketing circles, as he used to play for Bashley.  Retiring Chair Sylvia Smith remains on the committee as Vice Chair, and was thanked for her hard work and enthusiasm as Chair over the past two years. Matthew Daish & Andrew Stainton were elected as joint Coaching & Development Officers as another key strand of the growth strategy.  The other club officers and committee members were re-elected unopposed: Secretary: Bev Scott-Johns, Treasurer: Chris Pusey, Welfare Officer: Lynn Willrich, Committee Members: John Parkhouse, David Forbes and Gerard Redman.

The New Milton Club continues to be well represented on the Bournemouth & District committee: Bev Scott-Johns is President of the Association and Honorary Treasurer, and Sylvia Smith is a committee member.

With the official business out of the way, Bev Scott-Johns presented the club’s annual trophies, ably assisted by Welfare Officer Lynn Willrich.  After the presentation of the annual tournament trophies (listed below), the winners of the club’s two annual discretionary trophies were announced. The James Lewis Shield for Most Improved Player went to Andrew Stainton.  Andrew went from a 73% winning average in Division 1 the previous season, to an impressive 53%, in his first season in the Premier.  Andrew always plays with a smile on his face, and is more than willing to pass on coaching tips to fellow club members.

The Doris Marshall Memorial Plate for Club Person of the Year went to Mike Melaniphy in recognition of his many years of supporting and playing for the club.

Annual Club Tournament Trophies:-

• Singles: Winner: Max Bannon, Runner-up: Gerard Redman
• Handicap Singles: Winner: Toby Staddon, Runner-up: Stuart Burton
• Ladies Handicap Singles: Winner: Helena Holland, Runner-up: Sylvia Smith
• Over 40s Handicap: Winner: Gerard Redman, Runner-up: Steve Martin
• Under 40s Handicap: Winner: Max Bannon, Runner-up: Toby Staddon
• Chosen Doubles: Winners: Matt Daish & Bev Scott-Johns, R/up: S Newcomb & M Bannon
• Drawn Doubles: Winners: S Smith & D Forbes, R/Up H Holland & T Staddon

Max Bannon deserves a big shout-out, as he ended up the club player with the greatest number of trophies for his cabinet.  Club Singles Winner, Under 40s Handicap Winner and Chosen Doubles runner-up.  Bournemouth League Division 1 Winner, Div 1 Singles runner-up and Handicap Singles runner-up. All summing up to 6 pieces of hardware. Well done, Max!

Neatly dovetailing in with the plans to take the club forward and attract juniors, Club coach, former England International Matthew Daish (it’s that man again!) will be running open group coaching sessions each Sunday night (7-8pm) throughout August at the Grange School, Somerford. The training is accessible to members and non-members alike, and all ages and abilities are very welcome to attend. Matthew also offers private coaching sessions, and is contactable on 07734 713127.

Once again, the club’s Summer Pairs competition is being played at the Mudeford Wood Community Centre.  At the halfway point, the Ospreys (Nigel Bliss, Paul Iliffe, Trenton Hendy and Ian Anstead) are flying highest on 86 points, with the Owls and Kites joint second with 72 points.

The Club’s venues are: Mudeford Wood Community Centre for Practice Nights, and the Grange School, Somerford for league matches.  Both venues provide excellent playing facilities.  We have a number of lady members and would like to recruit more.

New Milton Table Tennis Club is always on the lookout for new members, especially for the forthcoming season where we would like to boost the number of teams to be entered in the league.  However, the Club is happy to take all types of players from absolute beginners to experienced players, and you don’t have to play in the League. 

The first visit is for free, so why not come along and give our very friendly and welcoming club a try?  For more information about the club, please contact Chair Brian Vibert (07952 974657) or Secretary Bev Scott-Johns (01425 619552).

AUTHOR: MALCOLM FLOYD

Edit: superseded by https://newmiltonttc.com/2025/08/24/group-coaching-2/