Our New Performance Home

Our new performance home at the EISS is really coming to life, with athletes starting their transition to training in Sheffield.

I am delighted to hear of so many coaches from the community visiting Sheffield to see our GB performance programme in action too. It’s critical coaches with a passion for developing elite athletes spend time at the EISS and learn from one another and we will continue to offer more opportunities for coaches as our programme settles post Games.

Carlo Agnello, our new national coach, joined us in March and is instrumental in leading our youth programmes. Carlo joined us after 12 years leading the Belgium National Youth Programme. 

Paris Olympic Games 2024

Our qualification journey is ongoing with athletes’ final chance to gain a named place at the Olympic Games at the Continental Singles Qualification Event in Bosnia next month. 

From a world ranking perspective, our athletes are in a good position, and I wish the very best to all our athletes trying to qualify. Our preparation camp for Paris will be in Sheffield and we will be bringing sparring partners from abroad to support our preparations.  

European Youth Championships

The European Youth Championships is fast approaching. After the Mark Bates Ltd Junior National Championships in early May, the Selection Panel will meet to select the athletes for the event in the summer. The youth teams are working hard and those who are selected for this event have an exciting period of preparation.

Technical Officials Academy

I updated you last month on the development of a Technical Officials Academy. I am pleased to say a survey is now out and has already seen great engagement. Thank you to everyone who have taken the time to complete this.

If you haven’t yet completed the survey and would like your views, ideas and comments about officiating in table tennis heard, please click here. 

National Competition Review

It is now six months since the Table Tennis England Board approved the implementation of the National Competition Review and work is continuing in preparation for a new-look league and tournament calendar from 2024/25 onwards.

The National Competition Review attempts to deliver the right format, frequency, location and standard of competition across all demographics, for existing and potential members and creates a blueprint to deliver a fully ‘fit-for-purpose’ competition programme for the future growth and success of table tennis. 

A new area on the Table Tennis England website brings together key information and resources in a ‘one-stop-shop’ where members can find everything they need to know about the new structure.

The section will be updated regularly as the Review progresses, with some changes happening next season and the remainder in 2025/26.

Governance 

AGM and Resolutions

Further consultation on proposed Resolutions for the 2024 AGM took place with Company Members in March. This year’s AGM will be virtual, and registration instructions for those eligible to attend will be posted on the General Meeting page of our website around 28 June.

Consultation also took place with Company Members on the autonomy of National Council and other governance reforms and the deadline for feedback is the end of April.  

At the National Council meeting this month, further discussions took place on the paper and future ways of working together to ensure our ongoing compliance with the Code for Sports Governance.

National Council / County Administration

The County Administration regulations require Counties to elect their National Councillor and Deputy National Councillor for 2024/25 between 1 May and 15 June and submit the result by 20 June using the appointment form published on the elections and voting page of the Table Tennis England website. National Councillors also need to complete the National Councillor application form published on that page. 

Please note that the period of office of your existing National Councillor and Deputy terminates at the end of the AGM. This means that if we do not receive your form by 20 June your County will not be represented after the AGM.

As with all Committees, Table Tennis England ask you to take positive action to encourage applications from under-represented groups.

Safeguarding

All Table Tennis England’s Safeguarding policies, guidelines and procedures have been reviewed to ensure they are in line with Table Tennis United and good practice across the sport sector – these are scheduled to be presented to Board for approval in June. Check the website for updates in June along with our annual Safeguarding Training schedule.

Elected Director

Don Parker’s tenure as an Elected Director finishes in June and shortly the role will be advertised on the Table Tennis England website for those interested in applying. Don is eligible to reapply for one further term.

Best wishes
Adrian Christy