Welcome to the new season.

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Created on Wednesday, 24 August 2011 23:28

Last Updated on Thursday, 01 September 2011 14:37

Written by Ray Ellis

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This is the 63^rdseason of the League and we still have four divisions, the standard seems to go ever higher, so congratulations to all the players especially to Crusaders who topped all four divisions last year.

We thank both Noel Carpenter who has retired from the administration of the League as president but is now a life member and Des Petherbridge our new President has been on our committee for many years in various positions as a committee member, then general secretary and chairman.

When considering the League structure for the coming season committee were very aware of difficulties experienced by both relegated teams and teams missing out on promotion who had lost key players. It became obvious that these teams would seem out of place in a higher division and after a lengthy debate it was decided to have divisions of 7, 7, 8 & 9 with the hope of adjusting divisions more evenly in 2012/13. Once again teams will play three times. It was decided that each player may play four times before having to stay up.

The committee would like to see on it a member of each club especially younger ones as the average age of the committee is reaching seventy.

The closed championships will be held at Graham Spicer’s this season and look forward to an increased entry. We are also able to revive the knock out cup this season but are still unable to run the handicap cup.

Again we were disappointed by the number of winners and runners up who failed to turn up at the AGM to be presented with their trophies especially with the effort that Julie Hyde went into in obtaining plaques with the name of each winner and runner up. Nevertheless congratulations to last year’s championship trophy and divisional winners and I wish everyone an enjoyable season. Congratulations also must go to the Leagues team in the Percy Johnson Trophy finishing in second place. There is a report in this handbook.

Finally we are saddened by the deaths of 85 years Peter Burchett (Rosehill player) and Iris Boreham (Life Member and for many years right hand person to Frank Priest the League’s founder)


Ray S Ellis
Chairman

(images courtesy of ITTF)