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WELCOME TO THE NEW SEASON
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Welcome to the 77th running of the Sutton and District Table Tennis League. This is our second season with the current committee. Last season was trying to keep the ship afloat, this season is trying to build on that foundation. The committee has done a tremendous job getting everything together and for that I’m extremely grateful. We also have Tom Coady joining the committee as Trophies Officer which will no doubt be a great help come the end of the season.
Last season went well with the majority of games completed on time. We still have a bit of an issue with postponements that I’d like everyone to try their best to minimize. We have brought forward this year’s start date so we can finish earlier to try to avoid exam season for our juniors. For the season just gone, one of the standout performances was from our winners of Div 2, Crusaders B. They were extremely strong in that division and each of them performed well at the closed championships, with Shing winning the opensingles, the handicap and div 2 singles. I look forward to seeing that team competing in division 1. Division 1 was won by Spicers who I expect to be one of the favourites this year too. In the cups, Rosehill A won the double taking both knockout and handicap titles. I was able to attend the handicap cup final that went to a nail-biting finish. Congratulations to all our winners.
We have three additional teams this season including one additional club from York Gardens who are based in Tooting. This has allowed us to move to a three-division structure with 7 teams in each. With the contraction in teams per division we will be running three rotations which will give the same number of matches as the second division had last season. I had received feedback that there was a bit of a gap between the top and bottom of the divisions and this move will help bring some balance, both in the divisions but also to the handicaps. Some difficult decisions needed to be made to balance things, but I think we should have 3 highly competitive divisions and I’m looking forward to seeing how it pans out.
I wish all the teams an enjoyable season and with Steve Parris and Steve Sharp as divisional and cup secretaries I have no doubt things will run smoothly.
Lewis Vidler Chairman
Cover Photo - Chaoba - Rosehill - Photo courtesy of Michael Loveder.