Monday 7th November 2005
President's Report / Secretary's Report
Before writing this report, I re-read some previous reports, and it was clear that we have been concerned about the same issues for a long time.
The main concern is the in-ability to retain juniors that we introduce to the game through various activities in schools, or at the stadium. A proposed new school competition maybe the catalyst to assist in this area.
Our Winter, Spring and Summer Competitions are attracting the same players each year, and as they are getting older (the average age of the Spring Competition player was 45.7 years of age), new players would be more than welcome. Introduce a friend, workmate or even your neighbour to table tennis by bringing them along to a practice session or your night of play.
As always, the Committee remains positive, and is committed to providing the service to which you the member has been accustomed. The members interest is, and always has been our priority, both at regional and State level.
However our concerns at State level have become a legal issue, and when resolved will possibly identify our direction, which has always been to promote and provide table tennis in our region.
For the STTA Executive and myself, the 2004 / 2005 operational period is one we would not like to see repeated. Our strained relationship with Table Tennis South Australia (TTSA) only deepened. Much time was dedicated at our meetings throughout the year discussing STTA / TTSA relationship issues. More on this later in my report.
On a positive note, despite that which tends to go on behind the scenes, to the member, life goes on as normal at Southern. The three competition seasons each year, the social group sessions on Tuesday and Friday mornings each week remain well patronised, the Friday night junior program continues, Monday night practice sessions still attract good numbers, school programs are conducted at the stadium and our coaches are actively delivering coaching sessions in the school environment.
Lets now have a quick look at the last 12 months and those things which I believe deserve further mention:-
Air Conditioning In The Playing Area – it seems this investment has certainly been worthwhile. All groups took advantage of enhancing their comfort level while playing table tennis by turning on the air conditioning during the heat of summer. Even during the individual coaching sessions I conducted at the stadium, I appreciated the relief from the heat the air conditioning offered. A worthy investment indeed.
Annual Social Match Against Great Southern – following the success of the event staged last year, once again Ian Morris coordinated teams to represent Great Southern in a ‘friendly’ against STTA. All those who participated in the day also enjoyed a barbecue to capture the social atmosphere.
Communication With Members – well done Bev in once again ensuring communication is maintained with the Southern membership through your quarterly newsletters, emails and updating of the web site. I am sure the membership appreciate keeping in tune with STTA activities, results and the element of humour portrayed in your communication. The web site even attracts interest from overseas, leading some visitors to Australia / Adelaide to our stadium for a hit while they are on holidays.
New Award To Recognise Minor Premiers - Thanks to Alberto Giurelli and his business ‘Reef & River Aquariums’, a perpetual trophy has been established for each of the divisions in the STTA Winter Competition. This award is to recognise the team and membership of those heading the premiership ladder at the end of minor round matches. Thank you Alberto.
Active After School Program – In term 2 of the 2005 school year, the Australian Sport Commission commenced an Australian wide program called ‘Active After Schools Communities Program’ with an intent to encourage school students to engage in a greater level of activity. The program is delivered immediately after school for a duration of 8 weeks. Several schools in Southern’s realm of operation sought table tennis as their preferred activity in terms 2 and 3, said programs delivered by Rex Rayner and Alvan White. Three schools have already sought table tennis to be delivered in their school in early 2006.
STTA Not Currently Affiliated With TTSA – In February 2005, TTSA declared STTA as unfinancial and no longer affiliated with TTSA. Consequently Southern did not enter teams in the TTSA 2005 Winter Competition and it was necessary to register some players / officials through the Brighton Table Tennis Club this year as an interim measure.
A big thank you to all those long standing volunteers who play their part in making the Southern Table Tennis Association a great sporting and social organization. Your contributions are important to the overall well being of the Association and I look forward to working with you again in 2006.
Last Updated: 28 Apr 2006 10:54 AM