4 counties

The Annual General Meeting 2022 of the Irish Table Tennis Association

Dear Member,

Following on from the notices issued by the Board on Friday 20th of May, the Annual General Meeting of the Irish Table Tennis Association (ITTA) Company Limited by Guarantee will take place on Saturday 11th of June 2022 at 10:30am in the Conference Room in Irish Sport HQ at the National Sports Campus. We kindly request that each member wishing to attend the AGM to register using the link below before Wednesday 8th of June by 11.59pm, to aid us with providing lunch for all our members who are attending the AGM. The deadline is to allow us confirm final numbers with the caterer and also inform them of any special dietary requirements.

AGM Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/9D7UmhhzkY

Please note the following:

  • Only paid affiliated members who are registered seven days before the date of the AGM/EGM are entitled to attend (Deadline to affiliate 4th of June 10:30am)
  • Associate members are not entitled to attend the AGM or EGM
  • A fully affiliated paid member entitled to attend and vote at the above‐mentioned meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his/her stead. Proxy Votes to be emailed to [email protected] or can be posted to “Irish Sports HQ, Sport Ireland National Campus, Snugborough Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, D15 DY62”. Proxy votes must be received by Thursday 9th of June 10:30am, 48 hours prior to the AGM taking place.

Please find attached a copy of the Table Tennis Ireland Strategic Plan for 2022- 2028 (this is a reduced file size version and the full high resolution version can be downloaded after the AGM from the website).

Table Tennis Ireland Strategic Plan for 2022- 2028: https://tabletennisireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/strategic-plan-singlepage-final-reduced.pdf

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TTI appoint a National Para Coach

We are delighted to announce that Sam Logue has been appointed as the National Para Coach on a part-time basis. Sam worked previously as a Sports Executive Officer in our head office from 2017 to 2018. Sam will have the overall responsibility for further developing and leading all Para Table Tennis programs for the Association. Sam has been involved in the sport for over 20 years and has been coaching table tennis for the last 7 years. He has experience as an Non Playing Captain for both junior and senior teams competing at international events, and has worked in schools and clubs to develop the sport.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish Sam all the best in his new role and are looking forward to seeing the growth of para table tennis.

The Board would like to thank Paralympics Ireland for allocating funding to support the recruitment of this role.

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Seeking sparring partners for National Para Camps

We are delighted with the return of our sport due to the relaxation of the Covid-19 restrictions. We are excited that our events and camps are resuming to normality.

With this, our para committee are seeking volunteers who can aid with the improvement of our National Squad Para Camps and allow our players to develop further. We are seeking enthusiastic players or coaches who can volunteer at some of our camps to act as sparring partners for our players. There will be no requirement to attend every camp however, we will expect a minimum attendance of 2 camps per year for any volunteers selected. Sparring partners will have the opportunity to learn from the Lead National Coach, and learn more about the intricacies of Para Table Tennis. 

If you would be interested in helping out at our camps, please get in touch by contacting [email protected]. All help would be greatly appreciated and this opportunity will be a great experience for players and coaches of any age.

John Bridgemna

Tribute to John Bridgeman

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Johnny Bridgeman, a former top senior player, coach and volunteer, and friend of all who had the good fortune to meet him.

The peak of Johnny’s playing career was during the halcyon days of the 1970s when Table Tennis was regularly reported on in the papers and international players were well known by the public, the era of Caffrey and Langan, when tournaments played out across the Ireland every weekend. He fought many battles on a table tennis table and won more than his fair share. As young man, Johnny played in the famous Crofton club on Suffock Street, in the centre of Dublin.

As well as being in the top cadre of players during that period, Johnny was recognised as one of the best tacticians in the game, a skill he used as a coach. In the 1980s, Johnny became the head coach and leader of Baldoyle TT club, a junior club that developed many underage boys and girls who represented their club, province, schools and country. The club enjoyed an equal mix of boys and girls, many of whom still play, including several para players due to the proximity to the hospital in Baldoyle on the Willie Nolan Road. The friendliness and inclusivity of the club was legendary, and this was due to Johnny’s good nature.

In the 1990s Johnny’s interest grew in the Para side of the game and his shrewd tactical insights and motivational skills helped to shape Irish Para teams that travelled abroad and won many victories.

For those who knew Johnny well, they will remember his stories of bygone games and players, and the sing-alongs for which he was famous. For past members of the Baldoyle TT club, they will remember a generous and wise man who freely gave them countless hours and enriched their teenage years.

TTI offers its deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

Reposing in Jennings Funeral Home, Springdale Road, Raheny on Tuesday evening 22nd February from 5pm to 7pm. Removal on Wednesday morning to St Lawernce O’ Toole Church, Baldoyle, arriving for Funeral Mass at 12.30pm followed by Burial in St Fintan’s Cemetery.

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Ulster Closed Event

The Ulster Closed Event is taking place on Sunday 13th of March at South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon. The event is taking place from 9am until 4pm.

Entries will close on Monday 7th of March at 10pm.

The entry form is attached below.

To register for the event, follow the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ulster-junior-senior-closed-table-tennis-championships-2022-tickets-272924995007

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New Job Opportunity with Table Tennis Ireland – Para National Coach

Table Tennis Ireland is the National Governing Body for Table Tennis within the 4 individual provinces of Ireland, and we’re responsible for developing and growing the sport. We represent the interests of our members by promoting, co-ordinating, administering, operating and marketing our sport.

We wish to recruit a Para National Coach who will be responsible for further development and lead all Para Table Tennis programs for the Association. This will be a part time role of 5 days per month, initially for one-year subject to funding being continued, based mainly in Dublin. There will be a requirement with this role for some travel in Ireland and abroad. Further details on the key responsibilities of the role are contained in the job description. Please note that this job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive.

Job Description is available here: https://tabletennisireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/TTI-National-Para-Coach-Job-Description-220217.pdf

To apply for the role, please send the following to [email protected] with the subject line “Para National Coach application”:

  • A cover letter to include a personal statement addressing the essential criteria in the job description and why an applicant believes their skills and experience meet the requirements of the role
  • A CV outlining their previous education and work experience to date

The closing date for the receipt of applications is Friday 4th of March 2022

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The death has occurred of Bertie Levinge

The Association is sad to advise of the death of Bertie Levinge on 24th August 2021 at the age of 98.

As a player Bertie appeared at many veteran and interpro events in Ireland and will be remembered by all who knew him as a formidable competitor, a great character and a true gentleman.  

Bertie’s best performances outside Irelandcame in 2004 at the World Veterans Men’s Over 80s Singles and Doubles in Yokohama, Japan where he became a double world champion.  He had previously been runner-up in the World Over 70 Singles event in Manchester in 1998. 

At European Veteran events, Bertie won the Over 70s title in Vienna in 1995.  He was also a finalist in the 2001 European Over 75 Singles in Denmark and won the Over 80 Doubles in the 2007 European Championships in Rotterdam.

He was a credit to the Irish Table Tennis Association which he represented with distinction throughout the World.

On behalf of the Board and the Membership, we extend our condolences to his family and all who knew him.

Rest in Peace Bertie.

An online book of condolence is available on the link below:

https://rip.ie/cb.php?dn=468612 (rip.ie)

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Best of Luck Colin Judge in the Paralympic WQT

We would like to wish the very best of luck to Colin Judge who has flown out to Slovenia to compete in the Paralympic World Qualification Tournament. The tournament takes place in Laško, Slovenia from 3rd to 5th of June.

The event organisers in Slovenia will be streaming some of the competition on their YouTube channel; see the event website for more information on this, plus for times and days that Colin will be competing on via their app. Also, keep an eye out on our social media as we will be sharing further details on Colin’s games.

Keep up to date on the tournament by clicking this link https://wqt2021.si/

Best of Luck Colin from all at Table Tennis Ireland!! 

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Eimear Breathnach elected President of Paralympics Ireland

Former Para table tennis player Eimear Breathnach was elected as the President of Paralympics Ireland at their virtual AGM last week. Eimear has been a Vice President with Paralympics Ireland since 2015. Eimear represented Ireland at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Paralympic Games. On behalf of the Board of Directors and members of the Association, we would like to congratulate Eimear on her appointment and we wish her the best of luck during her four year term as President.