Ellenborough Table Tennis Club opened its doors on Sunday, 13^th June, to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress of Enfield, Councillor John Regan and his wife, Terese, to the club’s Annual Coaching Open Day. Also attending were Michael Close, Chairman of Middlesex TTA, Brian Spicer, the London Region Table Tennis Development Officer, Lisa Pottinger, Sports Development, Enfield, other dignitaries, members and friends. Chairman, David Hope, thanked everyone for coming, in particular the Mayor and Mayoress. 

The programme began with the club’s junior section demonstrating their table tennis skills, then a team of youngsters played games against players from the club’s Over 50’s group, which ended honours even! Professional coach, Simon Rockall and the club’s top wheelchair player, Jane Campbell – presently ranked number 9 in the England ranking list in her category – gave a sparkling exhibition of top class play. 

Presentations were made to senior coach, Nick McKoy, who was awarded the Chairman’s coveted prize for outstanding service in coaching the club’s junior players. The Chairman also paid tribute to all the coaches for their unstinting efforts throughout the year. 

The Mayor kindly presented achievement awards to Peter Green and Carmen Neenan – Sports Leaders Course, Level 1. Connor Neenan, despite sustaining a broken arm and broken leg earlier this year, won the John Danson Award for the most promising player under 12 years, and the Eddie Jones Trophy was awarded to Kieran Levins for attitude and achievement. As Kieran was absent – playing in the team at Derby in the finals of the Johnny Leach Cup – friend, Craig Thomson, collected the award on his behalf. The Mayor also presented trophies to Saisvaran Ratnajothy and Stephen Kong who finished unbeaten in the club’s 2 a-side Woolwich Junior League. 

Michael Close, Chairman of Middlesex TTA congratulated Joe Chacholiades, David Fitzgerald, Suchira Gallage, Megan Sparrey and Lindsey Armstrong on being awarded their County badges, having played six times for Middlesex. David accepted the awards as the only team representative present, the remainder being away with Vice-President, Alan Shepherd, in Derby playing in the finals of the Johnny Leach Cup (Boys U15) and the Jill Hammersley Cup (Girls U15) – the team of Megan, Lindsey, Sally Taylor and Collette Neenan won Silver medals. Michael also congratulated the Middlesex Junior 2^nd team consisting Joe Chacholiades, Suchira Gallage, David Fitzgerald, Jodie and Megan Sparrey and Lindsey Armstrong who came runners-up in the County Championships – Junior Division 3. Jodie and David collected the awards on behalf of the team. 

Brian Spicer, LRDO, presented club Chairman, David Hope, with the English Table Tennis Association’s “Charter Mark For Excellence” and congratulated the club on achieving the “Sports Club of the Year Award” for the second successive year.

 The Mayor thanked the club for inviting him and Terese to the Open Day and said he was pleased to see so many youngsters in the Borough being given the opportunity to excel in table tennis.

Terry Wilson