Delight as hard work pays off

Oldham Table Tennis League representatives celebrate. Pictured are treasurer John Barley (back, left), chairman Ken Dunkerley, committee members John King and Bob Johnson (front) and secretary John Foster.

Table tennis:

OLDHAM Table Tennis League are celebrating the culmination of four years’ hard work.

The English Table Tennis Association Clubmark League has been awarded for their dedication to teaching the game to both ends of the age scale, training in schools and helping coaches gain the necessary qualifications.

Secretary Bob Johnson said: “It is a good feeling because we have spent the last four years trying to meet every aspect of the criteria.

“We spend a lot of time at primary and secondary schools in the area, and with nearly 300 members we are one of the biggest leagues in the UK. I think we have shown the fact we help every part of the community. We have members as young as eight and as old as 85, and cater for disabled people.”

The newly-awarded status has opened doors for big changes in the league. Johnson explained: “We have a few more options financially now which can free us up to do other things.

“It has been an expensive few years, especially funding our coaches in order for them to obtain their certificates — that costs about £500 per person. What we can do now is look for permanent premises in the Oldham area, because at the moment we are split between Hulme Grammar and Shaw Community Centre, usually on Friday evenings.

“You only have to look at the Dewsbury League — with the help of the local authority, Sport England and the Table Tennis Association they were able to find full-time premises dedicated to table tennis.

“That is always preferable to sharing a venue with clubs involved in different sports. We are also keen to expand our coaching and continue our work with more schools.”

Simon Tait, of Oldham Integrated Youth Service, hailed the award. He said: “This is a good achievement for Oldham Table Tennis League. It shows the league are well-organised and that they take the welfare and protection of young and vulnerable people very seriously.”




HOLLINWOOD ‘B’ enjoyed a 41-point win over Werneth ‘A’ in the Oldham Table Tennis League Handicap Cup second round.



Matty Evans was man of the match, gaining seven points from his games on top of his side’s 126, with Darren Meredith’s 64 proving a mere consolation for Werneth. Division Two action saw Hyde YM ‘B’ clinch a 21-point triumph over Hollinwood ‘D’.