Posts in category: TTI News

TTI made a special presentation to our guest of honour for the night Colin Judge in recognition of his immense achievement in becoming European Champion in Para Class 2 Table Tennis

Table Tennis Ireland would like to congratulate the following players and their parents and coaches on their selctions for the Primary Schools international and the Belgian open.

These players have worked dilligently to improve their game in their clubs and at national training camps to put themselves in a position to be selected.

Again we must say well done to the coaches and parents of these players who are the facilitators of the players’ success.

Primary Schools International, Largs, Scotland

Boys:

Jonathan Mooney

Matthew Mooney

Tom Irwin

Sean Loughnane

Girls:

Rachel Taylor

Ruta Miliute

Emily Flynn

Lela Lecap

Belgian open WJC

Boys:

Thomas Joyce

Art McLaughlin

Dillon Byrne

Girls:

Mia O Rahily Egan 

Sophie Earley

Silke Heinen

Nicole Scott

European Table Tennis coming to LISBURN – Team Announcement

On the back of last month’s successful 3-0 win in their home fixture against San Marino, the Irish men’s team will again be defending their honour on home soil against Lithuania.

As explained previously, The European Table Tennis Union have decided to change the qualification format for the European Championships with teams now having to participate and perform in the European League in order to qualify for the Championships. Ireland have been drawn in a group with San Marino, Lithuania & Azerbaijan, 3 teams that our men are no strangers in coming up against. The group will entail of three home, and three away fixtures for Ireland with the first of those coming this month. Ireland having won the first of these against San Marino, just 10 days ago.

This month will see the second fixture of the group and the Irish Men’s team will do battle with Lithuania. The date for the clash is the 20th of March, in Lisburn Racquets Club in what is sure to be a great spectacle for all involved. Play will commence at 7:30pm. The hall will be open to the public from 6:30pm as the teams go through their warm ups. Entry is free!

The team for the home match will consist of five players. The Irish Table Tennis fans will see the reintroduction of stalwarts Paul McCreery & Ashley Robinson to the team, alongside Gavin Maguire Owen Cathcart & Alexander Gillen. In the build up to the Commonwealth Games at the end of the month, the Northern Irish trio of Paul, Ashley & Owen should be in top form on the back of rigorous training camp in Halmstad, Sweden. This will be accompanied by the dependable Irish number 1 Gavin Maguire who proved the value of his experience against San Marino & his club-mate Alexander Gillen who’s high energy levels are sure to bring something extra to the team.

The European League and specifically the match on the 20th is set to be a great opportunity for Table Tennis in Ireland and we hope that our membership and beyond will take the opportunity to come and see European Table Tennis on their doorstep. Please share this article and help us to communicate with a wider audience in advance of these matches. For more information on the fixture, don’t hesitate to email [email protected]

Remember – A. This is not an Update Report on Board Business; B. All comments are my own; C. The Blog is intended to inform, stimulate discussion and create a greater sense of TTI unity.

BE PREPARED – The Severe Weather caught all of us out in the last 10 days: Flights cancelled & Roads treacherous; Nationals called off & many frustrated with ‘last minute change of plans’ … but Safety First was the driving force for TTI Board decisions. Were you prepared for the impressive performances of the youthful Irish Men’s team as it defeated a determined San Marino side 5-0 in the ETTU Men’s Stage 1 Team Championships? Lufthansa Airlines were prepared, keeping the San Marino Squad in Belfast until Monday (6 days alter) while from TTI Chair Rob Cowan was host extraordinaire as he provided accommodation and chat for Portuguese International Umpire Carlos de Silva – also for 6 days!

BUILD A TEAM – Management Gurus will talk about the need for Teamwork to be a central pillar of an organisation, thereby avoiding running only Work-teams, which are only used for specific tasks, and then disbanded! TTI needs more team players at every level – Administrators, Coaches, Officials, Sponsors, Volunteers, Psychiatrists, Parents AND Players. ‘Your Sport needs you and a whole lot more!’ Watch out for a Call for ‘Expressions of Interest for new Directors and Committee Members to ensure that TTI spreads it workload and engages with a great number of workers – We have immense talent in our ranks …. so this is your opportunity.

BOYS or GIRLS This is not an option; it should be ‘Boys and Girls!’Every sport suffers from a perceived or real Gender Gap, and TT is no different; TTI needs Girls and Boys, Women and Men at every level of Recreation, Participation, Performance & Excellence – then we can rightly talk about “Table Tennis being a Sport for All”. The Board is addressing Women in Sport and Participation Initiatives in a fresh way, and it hopes to develop better plans in these areas – Watch this Space!

3 B’s for your consideration – comments to me at [email protected].

Next BOARD BLOG in early April 2018.