The Hastings & District Table Tennis Association held its AGM in the Robert de Mortain on Wednesday in a meeting which produced significant changes in officers as

Chairman Andre Keen, League Secretary Robin Gibbs and  Treasurer Elaine Standen all stood down. Dave Watters will take over as Chairman, Robin Gibbs takes a lateral move into the Treasurer role and Press Officer Brian Busbridge takes over as League Secretary.

There was a surprise development, which will impact every league match, regarding the type of ball to be used in the new season. Expectations were that the new plastic balls would be used, but, in the absence of the expected mandate from the sport’s governing body, Table Tennis England, a vote was forced. This resulted in both celluloid and plastic balls being permitted in league and cup matches, at the discretion of the home team for season 2016/17.

Celluloid balls are no longer manufactured and are no longer sold by the major retailers. The vast majority of local leagues have switched to plastic balls, which are used exclusively in all levels of competition above local league.