New home gives sport added buzz

A previous article in this series highlighted the importance to athletics of having a settled home - Foote's Lane and the Garenne Stand. Table tennis has recently undergone a similar rejuvenation now that it has a permanent home at the Table Tennis Centre adjacent to the Indoor Bowls Centre.

The Guernsey Table Tennis Association (GTTA) purchased four rinks at La Hougue du Pommier in October 2003 and this has become the recognised home of Guernsey table tennis.

What a transformation has followed. Prior to the acquisition, the main table tennis centre had been a building belonging to the Lions Table Tennis Club situated in Maurepas Road.

The proceeds from the sale of that site has, together with a 20-year sports loan through the Culture and Leisure Department, allowed the GTTA to purchase its own premises.

Table-tennis was also played in church halls, school premises and any space that could be rented and tables temporarily erected.

The GTTA now has a building where 18 tables are permanently in place, full social facilities and ample parking.

Four clubs share the facilities: the Lions, Whistlers, St Paul's and Panthers, and enthusiasm shown by the president, Derek Webb, is symptomatic of a new enthusiasm running through the table tennis world. Guernsey table tennis also has the services of a development officer, Becks O'Keefe, and she will be the subject of a second article this week outlining the health of table tennis as it enters the 2004/05 winter season.

Some of the clubs organise their own closed championships but more usually they are 'open' to any competitor within the age group.

The GTTA organises an extensive league programme open to any local table tennis player.

Monday evenings are set aside for senior practice and training, Tuesday sees a social league programme, Wednesdays and Thursdays are devoted to senior leagues, commencing this year on 4 October.

These leagues are based on four divisions, with eight, 12, eight and 10 teams in the four respective leagues; teams are of up to three players, and are mixed.

On Friday evenings the tables are used for junior leagues and last winter 36 youngsters played regularly. In the past, clubs ran their own tournaments but there has been a strong move towards the GTTA organising events for the four affiliated clubs.

Clubs pay an annual fee, appropriate to the size of their membership; once paid, individual entrants only pay a small charge to play in the tournaments.

With the new season fast approaching and a new sponsorship deal due to be signed in early October, the GTTA is planning 10 individual age tournaments, each age group to be played three times during the winter season. There will be singles and doubles tournaments, and island 'closed' championships available to any Guernsey player.

The GTTA has recently published a very impressive development plan to cover the next three to five years.

The first paragraph in this booklet provides a fitting conclusion to the first of these two articles on the state of Guernsey table tennis. I quote:

'The GTTA now has its own premises.

'Table tennis is growing rapidly in popularity.

'Participation has doubled over the past three years.

'Over 100 under 18 juniors play regularly.

'A continuing recruitment process is taking place.

'The GTTA is part of the Six Nations circuit with England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man at U12, U14, U16, U18, Seniors and Veterans.

'Table tennis is BUZZING.'

Which was very obvious as I talked to Derek Webb and Becks O'Keefe.

* If you would like to learn more about playing or coaching opportunities in the Guernsey table tennis scene, please contact Derek Webb on 254178 or Becks O'Keefe on 07781 424328.