Cambridgeshire Table Tennis Association
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at Haddenham Sports & Social Club
on 9th June 2009 at 8.00 p.m.
PRESENT: Keith Richardson, Martyn Livermore, Brian Freer, Roger Fensom, Nicholas Willy,
David Hughes, Graham Sheppard, Val Parkes, Martin Gray, Andrew Maguire, Phil Emmerson,
Peter Kerslake.
APOLOGIES: Janet Nicholls, Carl Woolf, Mike Bradshaw, Mick Harper, Steve Rate, Lesley Rate.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS AGM
These had previously been circulated. They were agreed and signed as a true record.
MATTERS ARISING
None.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairman’s Report (Martyn Livermore)
The four meetings of the Cambs TTA had been pretty well attended with contributions from most committee members that have been to the meetings. Unfortunately Steve Rate had to step down as General Secretary early in the season and as no-one had come forward to replace him, the Chairman had to take on the additional role of Acting Secretary. This was a situation that could not continue.
The refurbishment of St Neots TTC was nearly complete and it was believed that a Summer League will be run there from the end of June. Once again a successful Closed Tournament was held at Neale Wade School in March. Thanks go to Brian Freer who worked really hard, both before and on the day, in running the event. Thanks also to all of the March League members who helped make the day possible. Further thanks were extended to Peter Carter from Florida Trophies and to Carol Livermore for her work in the canteen. Martin Gray from Cambridge dominated the senior events, completing a clean sweep of the Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles with his brother Kevin, and Mixed Doubles with Caroline Wright. Newcomer Kamila Kajniak, a former Polish junior international, who has moved to the Haverhill area, won the Ladies’ Singles with victory of Club Colleague and last season’s champion, Maria Boulton. Hopefully both ladies will play County table tennis for us next season. Thanks to the organisers of the County teams and all of the players who have given up their weekends to represent the County during the 2008-09 season. Thanks to Roger Fensom for his efforts with the three Veterans’ teams, and to Lesley Rate with the Cadet teams. Next season the County have entered 2 Senior teams, 3 Veterans, 1 Junior, 1 Cadet and an Over-60-s team. Finally thanks to Brian Freer for looking after the County’s finances, to Val Parkes for taking Minutes, and to
all Committee members for their work.
Acting General Secretary’s Report (Martyn Livermore)
The Chairman, as Acting General Secretary, reported that four meetings had been held during the
year. It was essential that this post be filled, otherwise the Association could not continue.
Match Secretaries Reports
Seniors (Martyn Livermore)
Played at Wellingborough over the weekend 15th & 16th November 2008. Cambridgeshire produced an excellent performance which resulted in them winning Division 2C and gaining promotion.
Results:
v Suffolk II won 9-1
v Suffolk I lost 3-7
v Norfolk won 6-4
v Leics II won 8-2
v Northants won 9-1
v Beds won 6-4
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Represented by: Played Won
Martin Gray 12 9 75%
Kevin Gray 12 7 58%
Simon Pryke 6 5 83%
Matthew Knott 6 3 50%
Maria Boulton 12 10 83%
Caroline Wright 8 5 62%
Helen Arnold 4 2 50%
Veterans (Roger Fensom)
The County had 3 Veterans’ teams this season. The 1st and 2nd teams played in Division 3B and the 3rd team in Division 4A.
Results:
1st team Played 7, won 3, drawn 3, lost 1. Finished 3rd out of 8.
v Cambs II drew 5-5
v Surrey III drew 5 -5
v Bucks II drew 5-5
v Herts IV won 9-1
v Herts II won 7-3
v Norfolk III won 7-3
v Middlesex II lost 4-6
Represented by: K. Gray, D. Tiplady, L. Wei, D. Rowell, A. Smith, Y. Hooks.
2nd team Played 7, won 1, drawn 2, lost 4. Finished 7th out of 8.
v Norfolk III won 7-3
v Cambs I drew 5-5
v Bucks II drew 5-5
v Middlesex 2 lost 4-6
v Herts II lost 4-6
v Surrey III conceded ) Cambs unable to field a team due to County Championships
v Herts IV conceded ) being held on the same day.
Represented by: L. Wei, D. Rowell, R. Phyo, S. Trevanion, A. Mills.
3rd team Played 7, won 0, drawn 2, lost 5. Finished 8th out of 8.
v Notts II drew 5-5
v Yorks V lost 0-10
v Staffs lost 4-6
v Clwyd drew 5-5
v Shropshire lost 0-10
v Cheshire III lost 2-8
v Leicestershire III lost 2-8
Represented by: A. Merritt, R. Hatton, T. Lane, R. Fensom, D. Gutteridge.
For next season 3 teams again entered in Veterans’ Divisions and for the first time a team will be
entered in an Over-60’s Division.
Juniors (Lesley Rate)
As had been agreed at the end of last season, the County did not enter a Junior team (because of the lack of girls), but did enter 2 Cadet teams. The players have shown themselves to be very keen and are developing well, so this bodes better for the future. The matches were played over two Saturdays and our girls played well. Greta Pocaite ended with 85.7%, Amy Catlin with 28.6% and
Alice Murray scored 25%. The boys all played well and some good averages were scored. Players were: Christopher Hau, Kurt Sanders, Rachit Vakharia, Priyan Davda, Deepak Agrawal,
Jack Moore, Kyle Medcalf, Harry Davies and Iain Taylor. Well done to all the team.
Next year it is planned to enter one Junior and one Cadet team.
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Carl Woolf had expressed concern about the advancement of “beginners” playing for the County and the lack of players from the southern end of the County. However, it was noted that information about the junior (cadet) trials had been widely circulated and the opportunity for any junior/cadet to enter the County Tournament had always existed. As a large number of juniors from the Peterborough area had entered the County Tournament this would appear to confirm that the majority
of youngsters wishing to participate in competitions, did indeed come from that area.
ESTTA Rep
Lesley Rate had sent in a report on the Schools Tournament held at Jack Hunt School in Peterborough. This had been a great success. A total of 89 players, representing 37 schools, had made it a record entry. 20 tables were used and players encouraged to umpire. The depth of players is now showing.
Treasurer’s Report (Brian Freer)
The Statement of Accounts had not yet been signed by an Auditor but it was believed that Trevor Smith might be willing to do this. (Confirmation received later in this meeting that Trevor will be happy to do so.) The Income and Expenditure Account shows that a loss was made over the year, but included within this is the purchase of County badges, which are a stock item and are therefore an asset to the County, which will only decrease over a number of years. It can be seen that the majority of expenditure occurred in the running of the County Championship Teams, which is likely to increase in the coming season as more teams have been entered. The Tournament made an excess of £565, and thanks must go to the March League for the provision of the equipment, however the venue costs, which are levied by Cambridgeshire County Council continue to increase, but still represent good value for staging of the event. The number of entries was approximately the same but as it is expected that costs will increase for the coming season, it is vital that the surplus from the event continues to increase. Thanks must go to all who helped make the Tournament a success.
The other major source of income is the affiliation fees from the Leagues, which make up the Association. This has declined over recent years due to less teams in some of the Leagues and St Neots TTC not entering any teams, due to the building work taking place at the Club, but hopefully they should be back again for next season. The Treasurer was concerned about the venues for the County Veterans’ matches as this necessitated considerable travelling costs. It was suggested that perhaps the newly refurbished St Neots TT Club might be offered as a venue for at least one weekend next season. It was pointed out that the hire charge for the St Neots venue was in fact quite high compared to other venues around the country, and therefore might not meet with the approval of
visiting teams. However, this will be looked into.
Umpire’s Secretary (Brian Freer)
Two members had obtained their County Umpires badge this season – Derek Sidaway and Bob Pettit. He encouraged Leagues to find more members keen to undertake an umpiring award. He had test papers for those willing to do so and would be happy to send these out
to those interested. Brian was thanked for all his work both as Treasurer and Umpires Secretary.
Press Secretary (Martyn Livermore)
During the season reports of County matches and the County Tournament had been sent to several papers including the March Advertiser, Cambridge News, Ely Standard, St Ives Town Crier, Hunts Post, Newmarket Journal, Haverhill Echo. Local reports had also appeared in the Wisbech area.
On occasions pictures had also been published alongside reports.
PROPOSITIONS FOR ALTERATIONS TO RULES
None.
MOTIONS
None.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Keith Richardson was duly re-elected.
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ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Position Elected Proposed Seconded
Chairman Martyn Livermore Brian Freer Martin Gray
General Secretary Kevin Gray Martin Gray Keith Richardson
Treasurer Brian Freer Martyn Livermore Val Parkes
Match Secretaries
Senior Martyn Livermore ) These had previously been elected at the last County
Veterans Roger Fensom ) meeting as names had to be submitted to the ETTA
Juniors/Cadets Lesley Rate ) in May.
Over-60’s Rod Hatton )
Umpire’s Secretary Brian Freer Martyn Livermore Martin Gray
Press Officer Martyn Livermore Val Parkes Martin Gray
Coaching Secretary Lesley Rate Martyn Livermore Martin Gray
ESTTA Rep Lesley Rate Martyn Livermore Martin Gray
Development Officer Lesley Rate Martin Gray Val Parkes
Martyn Livermore announced that as this was his 11th consecutive year as Chairman, he wished to make it his last. As Lesley Rate was unable to be present at this meeting, it was hoped that she will be willing to continue in the posts for which she has been re-elected. It was suggested that more ideas were needed to help with the development of the sport in the County.
ELECTION OF THE REPRESENTATIVE TO NATIONAL COUNTIL
Brian Freer and Val Parkes were re-elected as National Councillor and Deputy respectively.
ELECTION OF AUDITOR
Trevor Smith was re-elected.
DETERMINATION OF AFFILIATION FEE
Whilst there was currently a healthy balance in the bank, the purchase of new shirts for the County teams next season would be an additional expenditure, and more entries for the County Tournament should be encouraged. It was believed that whilst St Neots would be expected to re-affiliate next season, the affiliation of the Peterborough League gave cause for concern, therefore the overall number of affiliated teams to the County could be considerably reduced. To enable the County to support the increase in the number of teams entered in the County Championships next season, the Treasurer proposed an increase in the affiliation fee from £11.25 to £12.50 per team. The proposition was seconded by Martin Gray, and carried by a majority.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Brian Freer, as National Councillor, asked those present for their views on Individual Membership, as he will be required to vote on their behalf at the forthcoming ETTA AGM. He explained the reasoning behind the plans for Individual Membership and the difference in costs which will apply to individual players and associates (coaches/umpires etc.) when this is implemented.
The meeting closed at 9.58 p.m.