The Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Committee are deeply saddened to announce that Kim Hayden died on 06 August 2019, aged 55 after battling illness for a number of years. She passed away in Hospital having been surrounded by her family and her partner Tina. Brother Peter commented that “she was a class act, hilariously funny to the end and able to make what is a terribly sad time as easy as it can possibly be”.

Kim first played in the Chelmsford League in 1979 for the ECC Club in division seven and after a rapid progression which saw her play both County Junior and Senior Table Tennis for Essex she became Chelmsford Ladies Champion in 1984 beating Cathy Eakin 17-21, 21-11, 21-15 in the Final. Kim won the Ladies Doubles twice. In 1986 paired with Joanne Cook she beat June Crozier / Cathy Eakin and in 1988 partnered by sister Lisa they defeated Julie Dowsett / Shirley Carroll. She also won the Essex Closed Ladies Doubles on three occasions with sister Lisa, in 1983, 1988 and 1989. Kim played the modern attacking game and was strong on both wings. Her approach to the game was a simple one. She would look to “load” her backhand topspin with as much venom as possible with a view to finishing the point with a punishing forehand kill. More often than not it worked.

Her sons Scott and Jamie Dowsett both play in the Chelmsford League and brother Peter paid tribute to them “for the incredible strength they showed in such difficult times”.

Her Funeral takes place on Friday 30 August 2019 at 13.30 hours at The Three Counties Crematorium, Halstead Road, High Garrett, Braintree, Essex, CM7 5PB.

Steve Kerns
Press & Publicity Officer
Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League