Sandra Deaton was presented with an engraved crystal fruit bowl as she chaired her final Table Tennis England Board meeting.

Sandra is at the end of her term of office as Chairperson. Recruitment is ongoing and an announcement on a new appointment will be made in due course.

In the meantime, staff and Directors gathered at the Table Tennis England to mark the occasion and video messages were played to Sandra from around the table tennis world and from staff who could not be there.

They included messages from International Table Tennis Federation CEO Steve Dainton and Acting President of the European Table Tennis Union, Pedro Moura.

England stars Liam Pitchford, Paul Drinkhall and Tin-Tin Ho added their video greetings and tributes, as did Mark Bates, Managing Director of Nationals sponsor Mark Bates Ltd, former Table Tennis England CEO Sara Sutcliffe and Phil Smith, Executive Director of Partnerships at Sport England.

Also there to help with the presentations were Sandra’s daughter Nicola, a five-time national Women’s Singles champion, and grandson Sebastian.

Sandra said: “I was completely overwhelmed with the number of staff and Board members who were present and the wonderful video messages, and for Nicola and Sebastian to be present.

“It’s been nine years of my life that have been phenomenal. I’ve been so lucky to be part of Table Tennis England and I’ve worked with some tremendous people and made some incredible friends.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to serve the sport and an honour for me. There’s a great team around me – a great staff, great Board and I’ve been fortunate to have worked with two tremendous CEOs. I don’t know how to say thank you enough to everyone.

Before the presentation, Table Tennis England CEO Adrian Christy said: “I want to express the gratitude of so many people for the contribution you’ve made from local level through to international.

“I don’t think I’ve ever worked with anybody across sport and the governing bodies I’ve been involved with who is held in such high esteem by the international federation.

“Sandra is going to be missed hugely for her ridiculous amount of energy, enthusiasm, staying power, resilience but most of all her passion for a sport that she holds dear.”