NEWSLETTER WINTER 2023
SOUTH DEVON LEAGUE - EARLY SEASON TOURNAMENT – Sunday 12th November 2023
This league tournament although held at the Torbay Leisure Centre, Clennon Valley, Goodrington, is run by Newton Abbot TTC and we would love to see a good entry from our players. There are three events open to all league players – The Collins Cup (Handicap singles), Handicap Doubles cup and the Excell Hard Bat. If entries permit there is also a family doubles. It is an all day event taking place on Sunday 12th November 9.00-17.00. Entry Fee £12 for all events.
SOUTH DEVON AND TORBAY TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE.
The local league commenced at the beginning of October. Newton Abbot TTC entered 13 teams in the four divisions of eight teams.
DIVISION ONE – NA Batmen, NA Buzzards, NA Eagles, NA Condors, NA Parrots
DIVISION TWO – NA Raptors, NA Falcons, NA Kestrels
DIVISION THREE – NA Hawks, NA Harriers
DIVISION FOUR – NA Merlins, NA Ospreys, NA Vultures
We’ve had some excellent results to date and we wish everyone an enjoyable season. We are still short of at least a couple of players in Div 3 / Div 4 so if you fancy giving it a go it’s not too late to join in.
For South Devon and Torbay League fixtures, results, individual averages, tables and much more check out the league's website
https://www.tabletennis365.com/SouthDevonAndTorbay
FACEBOOK - NEWTON ABBOT TABLE TENNIS CLUB
During the table tennis season there are regular updates on our teams efforts in the local league on FACEBOOK. Although I struggle understanding how it all works I can post an article and attach a number of photos taken at matches during the week.
So why not check our page out:
https://www.facebook.com/NewtonAbbotTTC/?ref=page_internal
NA BATMEN – Dennis Gibbs, Naomi Jackson, Shaun Gibbs
BRITISH LEAGUE
Our Senior British League team started their season really well with an excellent weekend in Slough, winning three of their four matches. A great start for Kevin Nicholls, Mike Hugh, Simon James and Rhys Lush, with some notable victories and looking very smart in their new VX3 kit
NEWTON ABBOT TTC Senior British League Team
Mike Hugh, Rhys Lush, Simon James, Kevin Nicholls
CLUB SHOP
There has been an excellent response to our new club shop with many orders fulfilled and many more due for delivery. Unfortunately there has been a bit of a delay in processing some of the orders, VX3 are working hard to rectify the issue. To save on shipping costs at checkout select collect and let me know when the order is ready for collection and I can bring it along to the next club session. Link to Club shop below:
https://vx-3.com/collections/newton-abbot-table-tennis
CLUB COMPETITIONS
ALBANY FLORISTS CUP
Congratulations to Martin Dilkes who triumphed in the Albany Florists Cup. There were some fine performances notably from Fred Wakefield, Marc Winstanley and Andy Guy as well as the losing finalist Ivor Copley. Martin, unbeaten throughout, deservedly lifted the cup.
Albany Cup – Ivor Copley and Martin Dilkes
SINGLES SHIELD
An excellent turn out for the Singles shield made it impossible to finish the tournament in the one session and unfortunately two of the semi-finalists couldn’t make the reserve date so this competition is still in limbo. Dennis Gibbs is in the final as he defeated Dan Webster-Hall in one semi-final. The second semi-final is yet to take place between Bob Parkins and Kevin Nicholls.
DON BLATCHFORD CUP – JUNIOR
This competition will hopefully take place on a Saturday morning in November, date to be agreed.
HANDICAP DOUBLES
A new competition which is scheduled to take place on Friday 5th Jan 2024. Pairs to enter, you will be given a handicap based on your performance during the first half of the season and during our club sessions. It will be necessary to know pairs prior to the competition so please let me know your intention to take part by Thursday 4th Jan 2024
TEIGN AFTER SCHOOL TABLE TENNIS CLUB – EARLIER START FOR OUR FRIDAY NIGHT SESSION
As I am now running an after-school TT club for Teign School students our Friday night club sessions throughout November and December (and possibly into the New Year) may commence from 17:30 if you can make it that early. Plenty of time to practise before the evening league matches and hopefully get matches started early to ensure we can finish on time at 10pm.
CLUB SESSIONS
Friday Night Session 5:30/6:30–10:00pm - Generally 8-10 tables will be available for normal practice sessions (in the middle of the Sports Hall), while league and cup fixtures will also take place during the season on tables at either end of the Sports Hall. During the season this session is a tad hectic so it is not generally recommended for newcomers, although they can be accommodated.
Saturday Morning Session 9:30-11:30am. - This is a popular session for beginners, juniors and social players as well as league players. As ever, this is the best session for newcomers, although a shorter session than the Friday night it is more relaxed with better opportunities for learning the game.
Tuesday Evening matches 7:00-10:00pm – In the match room (Dance Studio) Generally reserved for league matches, rearrangements and cup matches but occasionally available for practice, check availability with Tony.
CLUB KIT / EQUIPMENT
Excellent Christmas present ideas:
I have a number of old match shirts available at give-away prices. Boxes of 6 ITTF approved 3* XIOM balls @£6/box and boxes of 6 ITTF approved 3* Joola Prime balls @ £7/box. I now also have boxes of 3 ITTF approved Sanwei 3* match balls @ £4/box.
The Bribar Sunray bat @ £17 is an excellent starter bat for those new to the game who need a decent bat at a very reasonable price, I usually have these available to purchase at the club.
As a Bribar rep I am able to get a small discount and save postage on anything from the Bribar Table Tennis Catalogue – Check them out online at: bribartt.co.uk
I can also make bats up for you or replace worn out rubbers.
For those of you who are past the beginners stage there are other excellent bats in Bribar’s Custom range which come highly recommended or if you’re feeling confident select from their extensive range of rubbers and blades and get a bat made up. As mentioned there is a small saving to be made if you order through me.
AND DON’T FORGET TO VISIT OUR CLUB SHOP FOR A WIDE RANGE OF NEWTON ABBOT TTC KIT
SPORTSMAN EXTRAORDINAIRE – ANDY GUY
We wish NA Hawks’ Andy Guy every success this week as he swaps his bat for a board and takes to the waves. Andy will be representing Team England in the ISA World Para Surfing Championship in California. Best of luck Andy, hope it goes well and have a great time.
NA BUZZARDS
Our pre season tour took us to the Greek Island of Zante where we enjoyed 5 days of intense strength and conditioning to prepare for the coming TT season. Under atrocious, intensive heat conditions we were forced to constantly leave the sun lounger to reach the bar. Struggling to survive we were fortunate enough to bump into a sports therapist/masseur from Newquay in the bar! Say no more!!
CHRISTMAS CLOSURE
Our final club sessions before Christmas take place on Friday 15th Dec and Saturday 16th Dec, we then have a 2 week gap before returning on Friday 5th Jan 2024 and Saturday 6th Jan 2024. Have a great Christmas break!
I AM AWARE THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN A FEW OF YOU WHO RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER OVER RECENT MONTHS. IF YOU NO LONGER WISH TO BE ON THE CIRCULATION LIST THEN PLEASE RESPOND SAYING SO. WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU AGAIN!
