NMTTC has supported the annual Family Fun Day for several years, but this year instead of the usual two table tennis tables there were eight tables as part of the launch of “Ping!” The tables were supplied by Jamie Burton, Physical Activity & Partnership Manager for New Forest District Council and proved very popular throughout the day. Club members in attendance were Steve Hemmings (Chair), Bev Scott-Johns (Secretary), Malcolm Floyd (Treasurer & Press Officer), John Parkhouse (Committee Member), Sylvia Smith & Gerard Redman whose support was much appreciated.

Jamie was there for the duration, as was Lee Monk from Table Tennis England, and Jamie arranged for the presentation of the Clubmark certificate to the club by Cllr Christine Ward, the Chairman of New Forest District Council. Jamie’s press release is reproduced below:-

New Milton Table Tennis Club has been awarded the prestigious Clubmark award by Sport England and Table Tennis England. Clubmark is Sport England’s national accreditation scheme for high quality community sports clubs and stands for higher standards of welfare, equity, coaching and management.

It rewards New Milton Table Tennis Club for having created the right environment to ensure the welfare of members is respected and encourages everyone to enjoy playing the sport at the club and stay involved throughout their lives. This can be seen by the recent success of members aged 13-80. It means that parents can rest assured that their children will be in a safe environment within a well-managed club.

The Club completed the application process in a record time.

The Club was congratulated by Table Tennis England, its National Governing Body, for the high quality and speed of its submission, thanks to the hard work of the volunteers involved, especially Steve Hemmings, Bev Scott-Johns and Malcolm Floyd.

The Club were on hand to support the launch of the Ping! New Forest at the New Milton Family Fun Day on Saturday 10th June at New Milton Rugby Club where Cllr Christine Ward, the Chairman of New Forest District Council, presented the club with their Clubmark certificate.

Graham Flexman, Clerk of New Milton Town Council was also on hand to represent the town council who were rightly proud of the achievements of the local table tennis club.

Pictured below (l-r) Dawn Flexman, Graham Flexman, Cllr Christine Ward, Steve Hemmings, Bev Scott-Johns, Malcolm Floyd & Jamie Burton.

In addition to being an “Ability Club” (Actively working with disabled people), the Club is also a 4-Star Premier Club, the highest rated club in the Bournemouth & District league.

The Club are always on the lookout for new members, from experienced players to absolute beginners, but would particularly like to attract more junior and female players. Anybody interested in joining our very friendly club, or who would just like a bit more information, should contact Club Secretary Bev Scott-Johns on 01425 619552.