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