The New Milton Table Tennis Club recently held their combined AGM/Presentation Evening down at the Mudeford Wood Community Centre at which Secretary Bev Scott-Johns reported a season with many highlights but tinged with some sadness.

Out of 10 teams entered in the Bournemouth and District League, the F team captained by Malcolm Nash won the Division 4 title and the A team captained by Steve Hemmings came runners-up in the Premier. The New Milton team also won the Premier Division of the Poole Pairs competition. The G team led by Les Smith won the Annual Times and Directory Handicap Plate (the second year running for a New Milton team) and Nash’s F team were also runners-up in the Times and Directory Handicap Cup.

There were also successes in the Bournemouth and District Annual Individual Championships as Steve Cheesman won the Division 4 title, Doug Gerrish won the Vets 50+ event and 15 year old Matthew Daish won the Bournemouth Handicap Singles trophy. Club Chair Steve Hemmings came runner-up in three events: Vets 40+, Vets 50+ and Bournemouth Handicap Singles. James Lewis also won the Table Tennis England’s coveted Coach of the Year award.

Bev pointed to the continued success of the club nights at the Grange School, Somerford and said the increase in membership would enable the club to enter 11 teams in the league next season.

Bev’s report contained moving tributes to his wife Valerie who passed away on 25^th March 2016 and to former club secretary Sandy Fagan who passed away on 19^th November 2015. Bev said that Valerie was always most supportive of his table tennis activities and attended a number of club events. Sandy was the wife of Club President Bob Fagan and was heavily involved with the club for many years and is sadly missed.

Bev (pictured below) was made the club’s first ever Life Vice-President in recognition of the many years that he has worked tirelessly for the benefit of the club. Despite losing his wife Valerie, Bev still put his all into the running of the club, for which the club is extremely grateful.

Club Treasurer Malcolm Floyd presented the annual accounts which showed the club to be in a very healthy financial position, which meant that the fees did not need to be increased for next season.

Committee Member Frank Handy decided to stand down from the committee and Vice-Chair Andrew Daish was unable to attend the AGM. The other club officers and committee were re-elected unopposed en bloc: Chair: Steve Hemmings, Secretary: Bev Scott-Johns, Treasurer: Malcolm Floyd, Welfare Officer: Lynn Willrich, Development Officer: Shaun Newcomb, Committee Members: John Parkhouse and Andrew Stainton (Junior Representative).

With the official business out of the way, Club President Bob Fagan presented the club’s annual trophies, ably assisted by chairman Steve Hemmings. After the presentation of the annual tournament trophies (listed below), the winners of the two annual discretionary trophies were announced:-

The James Lewis Shield for Most Improved Player went to Paul Iliffe by unanimous decision of the management committee. In only his first season playing for the club, Paul achieved a 91% winning average in Division 4 having only lost 3 out of 33 matches for his H team. He has been working really hard on his game and deserves to play at a much higher level next season.

The Doris Marshall Memorial Plate for Club Person of the Year went to Gerard Redman, again by unanimous decision. In announcing the award, Steve Hemmings said that Gerard is always willing to help out and was especially supportive to Bev during his sad time, helping to open up venues and setting up of tables. Gerard also attended all three of the club’s coaching sessions and provided support to the chief coach – a worthy winner of this prestigious award!

Annual Tournament trophies:-

Scratch Singles: Winner: Phil Daish-Handy, Runner-up: Matthew Daish

Handicap Singles: Winner: Phil Daish-Handy, Runner-up: Ian Linney

Ladies Handicap Singles: Winner: Lynn Willrich, Runner-up: Sylvia Smith

Juniors (Under 18): Winner: Matthew Daish, Runner-up: Peter Daish

Under 40s Handicap: Winner: Phil Daish-Handy, Runner-up: Simon Daish

Over 40s Handicap: Winner: Steve Hemmings, Runner-up: Paul Nelson

Doubles: Winners: Phil Daish-Handy & Sylvia Smith, Runners-up: Malcolm Floyd & Ben Greene

Anybody interested in joining the club should contact Bev Scott-Johns on 01425 619552.