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/

The annual tournament of the Bournemouth & District Table Tennis Association came to its conclusion with the Finals Night at the Grange School, Somerford on Friday 4^th April. Three players from the New Milton Table Tennis Club had made it through to the Finals in one form or the other.

First up, Milton’s 18 year old Toby Staddon had teamed up with 15 year old James Roberts from Bournemouth Sports for the Men’s Doubles Semi-Final, and faced the Premier combo of Stephen Gennari (Bournemouth Sports) and Ian Johnstone (Winton YMCA).  Gennari & Johnstone saw off the Milton pairing 3-1, but went on to lose the final to long-gone ex New Milton brothers Umit & Ahmet Kaya in three straight sets.

Staddon picked himself up to take on another ex-Milton player Graham Underwood (Bournemouth Sports) in the Division 2 Singles Final.  Duly warmed up from the Doubles, Staddon dismissed Underwood in three straight sets.  Most impressive, given that this was Toby’s first year in the Bournemouth & District league!

Milton’s 20 year old Max Bannon faced the wily Adam Elcock (Winton YMCA) in the Division I Singles Final.  Bannon went two sets down but came back to narrowly win the third 12-10.  That proved to be a false dawn however as Elcock scraped the fourth 11-9 to take the spoils.

Two New Milton players had made it to the Bournemouth Closed Handicap Final, Toby Staddon and Max Bannon (those two again!).  Staddon benefitted from a +6 start, which Bannon struggled to surmount, and Staddon saw his clubmate off 21-17, 21-16.  The photo shows Toby (left) and Max, still mates after the match.

In the Bournemouth Closed Final, Milton’s Matthew Daish faced fellow Premier player, 15 year old James Roberts from Bournemouth Sports.  Daish, unbeaten in the Premier League this season, brought his skill and experience to bear as he powered to a two sets lead 11-4, 11-4.  Roberts remained calm in the third set and was able to match Daish’s powerful forehand and backhand drives to take it to deuce at 10-10.  It was a bit nip and tuck, but Daish won it 13-11 to get his hands on the prestigious trophy.

Matthew Daish (pictured) is now back home in Lymington after playing professionally in the German table tennis league.  An ex-England Under-21, Daish is now offering coaching in the area.

The New Milton Table Tennis Club is always on the lookout for new members, ranging from absolute beginners to experienced players. Anyone interested in joining our very friendly club should give Club Secretary Bev Scott-Johns a call on 01425 619552.  

Author: Malcolm Floyd

In the first round of the Bournemouth & District’s annual Times & Directory Handicap Cup competition, the New Milton D team (Helen Hosie, James Harper and Eddie Tompkins) were drawn against fellow Div 3 side Sharkstone A from Parkstone.

Sharkstone are sitting pretty at the top of Div 3 in the league competition, whereas Milton are 18 points below them in fourth place.  Milton lost 2-8 at Parkstone in their recent league encounter so were hoping for some favourable handicapping in the Times & Directory.

First up, Captain Helen Hosie received a +4 start against Tony Sanderson, and won the first end 21-17.  That proved to be a false dawn however as Hosie lost the next two ends 19-21 and 16-21.  Next up, 20-year-old James Harper benefited from a +3 start against Andy Fox but lost the first end 17-21.  However, Harper upped his game to win the next two ends to level things off at 1-1.

Eddie Tompkins received a +4 start against Chris Leggat and narrowly lost the first end 20-21.  Tompkins still trying to shrug off the effects of a broken collar bone, lost his way a bit in the second end which he lost 13-21.  Harper benefited from a +6 start against Sanderson which he used to very good effect to win 21-19, 21-10 to restore parity at 2-2.

Captain Hosie had to give a +3 start to Leggat and never really got into her stride, going down 9-21 and 12-21 which gave the advantage back to Sharkstone.  Then up steps wily campaigner Tompkins to receive a +6 start against Fox, whom he saw off in two straight ends 21-14, 21-18, which made it 3-3.

Young Harper was really up for his hat-trick, and got off to a roaring start by beating Leggat 21-14 having given him a +1 start.  Harper narrowly lost the second end 19-21 but took the final end very comfortably to give New Milton the advantage at 4-3.  One more win would give Milton the match.

Tompkins received a +9 start against Sanderson and won the first end 21-14, only to lose the second 18-21.  By then Tompkins had the Sharkstonian worked out and dismissed Sanderson 21-4 to take Milton into the second round of the Cup.

There was nothing on the final match but Captain Hosie had a point to prove, having had a “slightly dodgy night” by her own admission.  Starting off “scratch”, Hosie blew Andy Fox away 21-10, 21-13 for New Milton to win overall by 6-3.

Six other Milton teams played in Round 1, and four of them (B, C, E & H teams) won through to join the D team in Round 2, which is to be played week commencing 23^rd January 2023.

Third Time Lucky For Sylvia!

New Milton Table Tennis Club’s annual closed tournaments culminated in their Grand Finals Night at the Mudeford Wood Community Centre on Monday 30^th May.

First up were the Handicap Singles semi-finals which had had to be carried over. Simon Daish took on fellow Div. 3 player John Parkhouse, but had to give Parkhouse a +8 start because of a higher league winning average.  Daish did very well to win in two straight sets 21-19, 21-17.

The other Handicap Singles semi-final was between Div. 3’s James Cheesman and Div. 4’s Sylvia Smith who had a +3 start.  In another two-setter, Smith’s forehand and backhand attack came to the fore and she won 21-16, 21-18.

In the Handicap Singles final, Sylvia Smith received a +8 start from Simon Daish, and Smith scraped the first set 21-20.  Daish then recovered his composure to take the next two sets 21-15, 21-18 to claim the title.  It seemed a case of “always the bridesmaid” for Sylvia, who had come runner-up in the Ladies Handicap Singles to fellow teammate Helen Hosie.

The Vets Over 40’s Handicap final saw Nick Dayman comfortably beat Sid Daynes in two straight sets 21-9, 21-13.

James Cheesman was in action again, this time against Div. 4’s James Harper in the Under 40’s Handicap final.  Although Harper had a +4 start, Cheesman recovered his confidence to win in two straight sets 21-19, 21-17.

The Handicap Doubles saw the omni-present Sylvia Smith partner Andy Ingram against Malcolm Floyd & James Harper. Smith & Ingram benefited from a small +2 start in this all-Div. 4 affair, and they scraped the first set 21-20.  Floyd & Harper eventually got their act together and took the second set comfortably 21-16 to set up an intriguing finale.  Smith & Ingram galloped into a commanding lead, but Floyd & Harper kept chipping away and looked to be in the ascendant.  That was until Floyd fault-served and the match slipped away from them, with their jubilant opponents winning 21-18.  Sylvia got her hands on a winning trophy at the third attempt!

The showpiece event of the club’s annual tournament finals is the Open Singles final.  Matthew Daish (Simon’s younger brother) played club newcomer Ian Hamilton. Hamilton has really impressed at recent club practice nights, but it was a big ask for him, as Daish – who has a world ranking – recently won the Swansea Open Title without losing a set. However, it was really nip and tuck in the first set but Daish just shaded it 13-11.  In some breath-taking rallies, Daish’s powerful forehand loop shots dominated proceedings to win the next two sets 11-5, 11-5 to take the title.

Thanks to Club Secretary & Tournament Organiser Bev Scott-Johns for yet another set of very well organised tournaments.  Bev is a Table Tennis England qualified Tournament Organiser and County Umpire; both skills being very much in evidence during the tournaments.