Chairman Peter White reflected on another productive and enjoyable season’s table tennis at the Annual General Meeting of the Clacton and District Table Tennis League this week.

The Management Committee had worked hard to ensure the League, Cup competition and Tournaments ran smoothly. Although there were sometimes difficult decisions to be made, they were always made in the best interests of local table tennis and its players. One major plus point had been the new Drawn Doubles competition which had been organised as a direct result of a suggestion made at the previous year’s AGM.  

In her third year as League Secretary, Isabel Barton said it had been a straightforward year without major problems, and thanked Management Committee members for their help and support.

Treasurer John Barton reported on a healthy financial position. He made particular mention of the support given by Gary Cattermole of The Survey Initiative for his generous sponsorship of the Closed Championships for the past five years. To ensure the League continued to maintain its sound financial position, John recommended a small increase in League team fees to £25.

In his Press and Records Secretary’s Report, Tony Oswick said the season had been dominated by the Brotherhood Club whose teams had come top in all three Divisions, as well as winning the Knock-Out Cup. All thirty teams had survived the season, despite a few teams experiencing player problems. Thankfully, of the 270 scheduled League matches, only two were not played.

Mark Gale, the League’s Tournament Officer, said that both the Handicap Singles and Closed Championships had again been successful, with the Closed witnessing some high-class table tennis. The new Drawn Doubles tournament, as well as giving players a full day’s table tennis, had been a competitive and friendly event, and was a welcome addition to the League’s calendar.  

Coaching Officer Martin Edwards reported that the Junior Coaching and Adult Practice sessions had continued each Monday and, although the adult sessions attracted good attendances, it would be good to see more juniors. He particularly thanked the loyal band of coaches and helpers who turned out every week. If there was sufficient interest, he was also proposing to run coaching sessions for juniors during the summer holidays. 

Development Officer Ferdy Rodriguez said that the ‘Come and Try’ sessions continued to be organised each close season although, unfortunately, they had not produced many new players to the League. Contacts were being made with local schools to try to encourage more young players to take part.  

Officers elected for the 2026/27 season were: President, Jenny Higgins; Chairman, Peter White; Vice-Chairman, John Barton; Secretary, Isabel Barton; Treasurer, John Barton; Results and Records Secretary, Tony Oswick; Media Officer, Tony Oswick; Tournament Officer, Mark Gale; Development Officer, Ferdy Rodriguez; Coaching Officer, Martin Edwards; Minutes Secretary, Isabel Barton; TT Leagues Administrator, Gavin Price; Welfare Officer, Jenny Higgins; Voting Committee members, Grace Andrews, Sharon Gowlett, Bob Jillins, Felipe Rodriguez, Gerry Widnell, Dave Wright; Independent Financial Examiner, Sue Gallone.      

During the course of the meeting, League trophies for the 2025/26 season were presented by League President, Jenny Higgins, to Division One winners Brotherhood A, runners-up Nomads Lions; Division Two winners Brotherhood G, runners-up Brotherhood F; Division Three winners Brotherhood H, runners-up Holland Hurricanes.

The Bob Phillips Trophy for services to the League was also awarded during the evening. This year’s recipient is Viv Rodriguez who has been closely involved with all League activities for the last 25 years. Most notably, she’s revolutionised the League’s catering and refreshments at all League events, in particular at the Closed Championships.

But Viv has done more than just this. She’s been a Windsor Team Secretary for over 20 years, often looking after juniors or players new to the League. For ten years she was the League’s Welfare Officer. And she’s been a helper and supporter at both the League’s Coaching and ‘Come and Try’ sessions, as well as at social events such as Quiz Evenings and Race Nights. And all this in addition to her valued contribution to the Windsor Club.   

Although Viv had been prepared to register as an occasional player when necessary, she is only the second non-player to receive the Trophy in over 40 years. Peter concluded by saying that Bob Phillips was a person who was always prepared to help whenever help was needed and Viv was very much that sort of person and a worthy recipient of the trophy.

Report by Tony Oswick