Dorothy wearing the Order of Australia Medal
I thought this article on the www.wvc2012.com website is worthwhile posting here.
The editor
09/02/2012
It is a full house for the World Veteran Championships to be staged at the Ericsson Globe from Monday 25th to Saturday 30th June 2012.
The limit of 3,200 entries has been received; such is the demand that there is now a waiting list on the “first come, first served basis” should there be any cancellations.
Entering on time has been essential and one player, who has entered on time and will be in Stockholm is Russia’s Alexander Kaptarenko.
He is 100 years old today!
Life a 20th World History
Alexander Kaptarenko was born on Saturday 27th January 1912 in St Petersburg, five years before the Russian Revolution; the changes he has seen in the country of his birth are quite staggering.
He has lived through a time of Tsarist autocracy, the rise of the Bolsheviks and Communism to the Glasnost, Perestroika and the break-up of the Soviet Union.
The life of Alexander Kaptarenko is a story of modern history.
Work
In 1930 he left high school and worked as a lathe operator, process estimator, technologist and in 1936 started working in the aircraft factory as a design engineer.
After the start of the Second World War he moved with the factory to Novosibirsk and worked at the Tchkalov aircraft factory until 1951, becoming a chief project designer at the project institute “Sibgiprogormash” until his retirement.
Developed Table Tennis in Novosibirsk
In 1953 Kaptarenko Аexander, accompanied by a group of enthusiasts began to develop table tennis in the city of Novosibirsk and, in 1956, assumed a major role in organising the first ever table tennis tournament in the city.
Later he became the Secretary of the Novosibirsk Regional Table Tennis Federation and was a Chairman of Federation for approximately ten years; later being in charge of the Referees Committee.
Referee
Several years later in 1973, he was appointed an “All-Soviet Union Referee” and officiated in tournaments at all levels from city, regional and national to international level.
In fact he officiated at tournaments in over 70 cities in what was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Good Health
Table tennis helps Alexander Kaptarenko maintain good health; he belongs to a group named “Decade of Senior Citizens” and sets an example for all.
He has clarity of mind and leads an active life style; regular practice enables him to keep in good shape and belies his years.
Player
Meanwhile, as a veteran player he competed in the first Commonwealth of Independent States Championships in 1992 in Kiev at a time when the Soviet Union was breaking up.
He gained a silver medal and then later at the Russian Championships he won a bronze medal.
More recently, he competed in the Russian Veteran Championships in the Czech Republic city of Liberec.
Ready for Stockholm
Now the 2012 World Veteran Championships is in his sights and he is serious; he is practising three times a week.
Stockholm awaits.
January 2012
Veterans International T.T. Calendar
*) = new or altered since previous issue!
The monthly updated veterans calendar is available on web sites www.ittf.com
(section SCI/WVC) and www.if-ifo.se/calendar
2012
Jan 7-8 Hereford, England Roy Norton
Vetts Western Masters roywnorton@aol.com
Feb 4 Holice in Bohemia, Czech Rep. Zdenek Lhotka
Open Veterans Tournament zdenek.lhotka@atlas.cz
Feb 17-19 Aarhus, Denmark Jens-Erik Linde
Aarhus Veteran Open linde@sport.dk
Mar 4 Tisnov, Czech Republic Zdenek Lhotka
Open Veterans Tournament zdenek.lhotka@ztlas.cz
Mar 10-11 Blackpool, England Roy Norton
Vetts Northern Masters roywnorton@aol.com
Mar 30- Helsinki, Finland Jouko Manni
Apr 1 15th North European Veterans jouko.manni@turuntilikeskus.fi
Championships (closed)
Apr 6-9 Palmerston North, New Zealand ttnz@tabletennis.org.nz
New Zealand Veterans Open www.tabletennis.org.nz
Championhips
Apr 8 Havirov, Czech Republic Zdenek Lhotka
Open Veterans Tournament zdenek.lhotka@atlas.cz
Apr 14-15 Crawley, England Roy Noton
Vetts Southern Masters roywnorton@aol.com
May 4-6 Moscow, Russia Michael Torgov
*) Veterans tournament torgov_m@mail.ru
”Twenty years later” +74956601633
May 4-6 Bosa (Sardinia), Italy Efisio Pisano
Int. veterans tournament efisiopisano@yahoo.it
May 12 Lomnice/Popelka, Czech Rep. Zdenek Lhotka
Open Veterans Tournament zdenek.lhotka@atlas.cz
Jun 9 Hostinne in Podkrk., Czech Rep. Zdenek Lhotka
Open Veterans tournament zdenek.lhotka@atlas.cz
June 9-10 Trier, Germany TTCGelbRotTrier@aol.com
58th Int. veterans championships www.GelbRotTrier.de
June 9-16 Chaves, Portugal Ton van Ginkel
*) 5th Open Portugal Veterans ton@uttc.nl
Jun 25-30 Stockholm, Sweden wvc2012@gmail.com
16th World Veterans www.wvc2012.com
Championships
Jun 30- Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA www.usatt.org
Jul 4 *) US Open with veterans events
Jul 25-29 Albena, Bulgaria Stefan Georgiev
*) 14th Int. T. T. Festival damakupa91@gmail.com
www.tabletennisalbena.com
Aug 10-12 Varna, Bulgaria Krasimir Petrov
*) 13th Varna Veteran Open strongil2005@yahoo.com
Dimitar Karaivanov
Aug 10-12 Neustadt a.d. Weinstrasse Juergen Bock
55th International Veterans juergenbock10@alice.de
Tournament
Aug 25-28 Fortaleza, Brazil edir@cbtm.org.br
1st Veterans Brazil Open edimilsompinheiro@gmail.com
Aug 30- Tallinn, Estonia Rein Lindmae
Sep 2 Viru Veterans Cup rein@pingpong.ee
Aug 31- Burgas, Bulgaria Nikolay Angelov
*) 1st Burgas Veteran Open angelov@orcotravel.bg
Dimitar Karaivanov
Sep 1-2 Sunderland, England Roy Norton
Vetts North-Eastern Masters roywnorton@aol.com
Sep 7-9 Miedzyzdroje, Poland www.pzts.pl, www.agamar.pl/ts
*) Int. Polish Open Veterans agamar@agamar.pl
Oct 13-14 Wolverhampton, England Roy Norton
Vetts Midland Masters roywnorton@aol.com
Nov 2-4 Gothenburg, Sweden Hans Westling
*) Ifo Veteran Open westling.hans@telia.com
Dec 1-2 Norwich, England Roy Norton
Vetts Eastern Masters roywnorton@aol.com
2013 Bremen, Germany
May 27- 10th European Veterans Championships
June 1
2014 Auckland, New Zealand
May 12- 17th World Veterans Championships
17
2015 Tampere, Finland
11th European Veterans Championships
2016 Alicante/Elche, Spain
18th World Veterans Championships
In order to keep the calendar updated, please pass information about additional
veterans events to:
Hans Westling, Skanegatan 17B, 411 40 Gothenburg, Sweden
Email: westling.hans@telia.com
ITTF PRESS RELEASE Kjell Johansson 1946-2011 He passed away on Monday 24th October 2011 in Eksjö, Sweden after a period of illness; he was 65 years old. The word legend, the description of being one of the greats is often misused; in the case of Kjell Gunnar Johansson it is correct. Nicknamed the “Hammer” owing the way he held the racket to unleash one of the most powerful forehands in the history of table tennis, he was one of the all-time greats of table tennis. Opened the Door Not only did he achieve by winning numerous titles, he opened the door for a prodigious generation of Swedes. He opened the door for three players who would become World champions. The likes of Stellan Bengtsson, Jan-Ove Waldner and Jörgen Persson would all accept, they owe a debt of gratitude to Kjell Johansson. Changed Balance of Power Alongside Hans Alser, who was sadly killed in an air crash in January 1977 in Kälvesta near Stockholm, Kjell Johansson changed the balance of power in European table tennis; they ended the reign of Hungary’s Zoltan Berczik as the continent’s premier player. The late Zoltan Berczik had won the Men’s Singles titles at the first two European Championships; he won in 1958 in Budapest and in 1960 in Zagreb. Tradition Started However, in 1962 in Berlin, Hans Alser ended the Hungarian’s reign and then in 1964 Kjell Johansson captured the title in Malmö and retained the crown two years later in London. A tradition of Swedish excellence had started; later Hans Alser, Stellan Bengtsson, Ulf Bengtsson, Mikael Appelgren, Jörgen Persson, Jan-Ove Waldner and Peter Karlsson would don the crown. A Decade Apart At the European Championships, he was to win the Men’s Doubles title, a decade apart; in 1966 with Hans Alser in London and ten years later in 1976 in Prague, with Stellan Bengtsson. Furthermore, between 1964 and 1974, Sweden won the Men’s Team title at the European Championships on every occasion, six in total; always Kjell Johansson was in the line-up. World Championships An outstanding career at the European Championships, which few can match and also at the World Championships, he possessed a remarkable record. In 1967 in Stockholm he won the Men’s Doubles title with Hans Alser and, in 1969 in Munich, the pair retained the crown. Sarajevo 1973 However, it was in Sarajevo in 1973 that Kjell Johansson enjoyed his best ever World Championships. Stellan Bengtsson, Anders Johansson, Bo Persson and Ingemar Wikström lined up alongside Kjell Johansson. Sweden clinched the Men’s Team title. It was the first time that Sweden had won the title; it set the tone for future generations. Furthermore, in Sarajevo, Kjell Johansson won the Men´s Doubles title with Stellan Bengtsson and was the runner up in the Men’s Singles event, beaten by China’s Xi Enting. Cool but Mentally Strong Always Kjell Johansson gave total commitment, mentally strong, outwardly calm, cool and collected. However, there was much more to Kjell Johansson than just being an outstanding table tennis; he was a man of the highest integrity, a quality that has continued in Swedish table tennis. It is a quality we see exemplified today in Jörgen Persson; they both uphold the values of honesty and fair play. UNICEF Fair Play Award At the Stockholm Championships in 1967; Kjell Johansson trailed Stanislav Gomozkov 19-20 in the vital deciding third game; the umpire turned the score to 20-all, the Russian in those days representing the Soviet Union, did not complain. However, Kjell Johansson informed the official that the ball had touched the edge of the table; the result of his outstanding sportsmanship was that later in the year, he received the UNICEF Fair Play Trophy in Paris. Indelible Mark A truly great champion and a man who has left an indelible mark on the sport; whether it was in the 1960s and 1970s when you buy a table tennis racket with a his name, or the incredible point against Li Zhenshi at the 1977 World Championships in Birmingham that was shown time and again on BBC television. A Legacy Kjell Johansson touched us all, a true legend of sport; the table tennis world offers its condolences to the family of a man who established a legacy and has left a legacy. In Sweden the name Johansson is popular, there must be hundreds if not thousands of people with that surname but there was only one Kjell Johansson, one of the greatest, he is sadly missed. |
VALE – MERLE SNEDDEN
On13 September 2011 our good friend Merle Snedden from New Zealand passed away.
After months of suffering she finally fought her last battle.
My memories of Merle are very fond. She was a right lady and had a regal bearing.
In fact we often referred to Merle as “The Queen”, as she even physically resembled Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
But her lovely nature hid her tenacious fighting qualities exhibited on the 45 square feet of table tennis table.
Only last October did I have the privilege to play her in an exiting Mixed during the Melbourne Australian championships, where she partnered Gordon Lee. My Partner, Toshi Amano from Japan and I were leading 9-3 in the fifth. We lost.
It is hard to imagine we won’t see her anymore, but she will live in our memories for ever.
R.I.P Merle.
14 April 2011
International Veterans Societies.
In 1994 Australia held the World Veterans in Melbourne and some time before that the World Veterans were held in Stockholm.
Sweden’s capital city Stockholm is to hold the Vets once again in the year 2012.
Stockholm is an expensive city, and although there are a number of Self Catering Apartments, the Swedish organisers have yet to advertise their World Vets packages, Entry Fees etc.
Those who have travelled to previous WV in Rio and Hohhot are aware that a number of us have joined Roy Norton’s English Vets group. Roy has made enquiries and has flown to Stockholm to inspect and has tentatively booked a large number of rooms. Paul Pinkewich has already taken a number of rooms.
The tariff, not finalised as yet, is 59 pounds per person in a shared room and includes breakfast. (Note; the tariff could vary because of currency exchange rates.) One advantage of taking up the option with Roy is you are able to make your own travel arrangements.
There is a team competition being held in Istanbul and the inaugural competition was held in Cottbus Germany in 2007, where two Aussie men’s teams and an Aussie women’s team took part. The ladies played beyond their dreams, beating highly fancied German and British teams. The following event in 2009 was held at Sofia, Bulgaria where AVS only was represented by a single male team.
An article in the Veterans English Table Tennis Society by Brian Halliday has some relevance to us who were lucky enough to witness Liang Geliang, a TT player of extraordinary ability, in the World Veterans held in Melbourne. He easily won the over 40s event. Liang played with smooth rubber on one side of the bat and on the other side pimples. Liang’s success on the world stage in his heyday was in the early 70s.
Liang in 1994 was invited to play against a number of Australia’s best and he chopped the Australian players off , and then proceeded to hit them off as well, much to the amazement of spectators and opponents alike.
Liang, since Melbourne, has played in a number of World Vets Events.
Since Melbourne he has indicated to a number of players, me in particular, that he wished for the event to be held in Australia again.
Table Tennis Australia has expressed the desire to hold the event at the Gold Coast in the year 2014, twenty years after the Melbourne event.
A decision is to be made in Rotterdam while the World Individual Championships are being played between May 8th and 15th this year.
Information can be found on:
(World Vets, 25-30 June 2014. Stockholm) http://wvc2012.com
(Team competition Societies 19-21 August 2011, Istanbul)
http://tt-veterans-international.com
Tony Herbert.
Melbourne, Friday 18 March 2011.
The passing of Bruno Zimmaro.
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved friend Bruno Zimmaro today.
Bruno, who came out to Australia from Italy with his grandfather at age 15, embodied the true gentleman. He was cheerful, helpful and truly philanthropic in nature.
I first met Bruno in 1994 when Mick Wright and I arrived on the Victorian veterans’ table tennis scene. As a player Bruno was no slouch and already then dabbled with long frictionless pimples on his backhand and made us earn every point.
He was a self-made man, who had astonishing business nous and had the ability to make a shilling out of every six-pence. He turned this prowess into selfless service to the table tennis community of the very first order.
He led several excursions overseas prior to my involvement in 1994. I was told that whilst in America some planes were booked out and not all of the party could board, he would find a way around this problem. When there were no vacancies for all of the party on the train in Canada, he booked a private bus instead.
Personally I benefited from this generosity when going to the world championships in 1998, Manchester and in 2000 to Vancouver. He organised buses and accommodation for us all, more often than not at his own expense. The scenic bus trip from Manchester to Chester on the lay day is still fresh in my mind.
When he found out that there was no crockery or cutlery for any of us in the student accommodation at the UBC (University of British Columbia) where most of us stayed, he made sure all was provided. This took some doing I assure you! He would never divulge how he managed this and once again naturally did it at his own expense.
He made a most remarkable offer to the Victorian Table Tennis Association in 1995. He undertook to purchase a building similar to the old Albert Park Table Tennis Centre, set it up for our game and then lease it to us until such time we could afford to purchase it. This offer was not accepted
Table Tennis is so much the poorer now that he is no longer with us.
In 2002 Bruno, Arthur Harrison and Richard Lake together, planned to travel to Europe to play in the world’s (Lucerne). Prior to Lucerne my wife Joan and I were to meet them at Amsterdam Airport ‘to do Holland’.
It was not to be. Only Arthur and Richard came. In March of that year, exactly nine years ago, Bruno was afflicted by a severe stroke which completely paralysed his left side. Ever since then he needed total care and a full time nurse. He passed the time either in bed or strapped in a wheel chair, something incomprehensible for any of us to fathom.
Fortunately he could still speak and recognise his family and friends. He still had the use of his right hand, but he tired quickly and had a much reduced sight. We kept in touch with him regularly and showed we would never forget him, even though he was laid low. But nine years of being completely helpless took its toll and his suffering is now over.
We offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife Georgette and his family.
Vale Bruno, we’ll all miss you…
Sent: Wednesday, 2 March 2011 11:01 AM
To: ‘Anthony Herbert’
Subject: RE: Condolences from Queensland
Hi Tony
Thank you for your email and sympathetic words at this difficult time for us all here. We are very grateful for all the offers of support and warm messages we have been receiving from everyone. We know that you also have had your share of difficulties coping with what nature unleashes at us all from time to time.
Our stadium has been fortunate enough this time to be located on the other side of the city, away from the epicentre of this quake, and has suffered no notable damage, but we will wait to see the actual result once the council has come to inspect it.
We have not yet been able to open and therefore have no idea whether/how any of our members were affected by the quake, but we sincerely hope that everyone of our members have come through safely.
We thank you for your concern and welcome you to visit us again when we have recovered from this tragedy.
Sincere Regards
Essien Lin
Acting Stadium Manager
Table tennis Canterbury
From: Anthony Herbert [mailto:anthherb@bigpond.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 22 February 2011 9:08 p.m.
To: tabletenniscanterbury@xtra.co.nz
Subject: Condolences from Queensland
One of the most respected veteran table tennis players in Australia, Geoff Nesbitt from Moama, was struck down during the nationals in October with a severe back complaint.
Initially it was deemed to be a muscular problem; however it turned out to be much more serious than that. He has contracted plasmacytoma of the T7 vertebrae and is currently undergoing radiotherapy until Christmas this year.
He can be reached directly by phone on 03 9483 3760 except weekends. This is the number to his room at the Freemasons Hospital in Melbourne.
We wish Geoff a full recovery and hope to see him back at play next year or the year after.
Lindsay Gordon Lee 4/12/10
There is much better news from my very good friend Gordon from Fremantle, WA.
He sent me the wonderful tidings that he has recently been inducted into the City of Fremantle Hall of Fame for services rendered to Tennis & Table Tennis.
Other notable previous inductees include J.J Miller, Jockey and winner of Caulfield and Melbourne cups. John Longley, Yachtsman and crewman on winner of America’s cup. Jack Clarke, Footballer 4 times selected in All Australian team. Tom Hoad, Water Polo player and coach of Australian team. Luc Longley, Basketballer Olympian and American league player and Australian opening batsmen Graeme Wood & Geoff Marsh.
Gordon thoroughly deserves to be included in this illustrious company and is continuing to be a credit to Australian Veterans Table Tennis.
More news on our favourite veteran table tennis player. I received the following message.
“Doris has been asked to play a game on Tuesday 7th December 2010 at the ABC. I gather they are filming for this show which is on the following night.”
Peter De Low
One of Australia’s favourite comedians, Peter Helliar, will host ABC1′s new sports quiz show The Trophy Room, which premieres Wednesday, December 8th at 8.30pm on ABC1. The half-hour, weekly quiz show for both casual and committed sports fans of all ages will feature an array of celebrity sports heroes, comedians and performers.
ABC1 Controller, Brendan Dahill, said Peter’s inherent love of sport and his sense of humour made him the ideal host for this family-friendly panel show. “The Trophy Room will be good clean fun the whole family can enjoy while giving viewers a chance to hone their sports trivia knowledge and celebrate
a summer packed full of great sports – not the least of which is the Ashes. Peter’s a sports-tragic and great fun to be around. I‘m sure our audience will show him a lot of love and welcome him into their homes each week.”
Helliar is best known for his regular spot on Rove, his footy-loving alter-ego Strauchanie, and his numerous stints on commercial radio. “When I heard that Kerry O’Brien was leaving the 7.30 Report I was straight on the phone to the ABC,” Peter said. “They were pretty quick to close the door on my 7.30 Report dream but suggested I have a crack at hosting something called The Trophy Room. I said ‘yes’ and the rest, as they say is the future.”
Each week in The Trophy Room two star-studded teams of three will combine sports chat and trivia with parlour games and physical sporting challenges in a fiercely contested and fun-filled half-hour.
A special edition of The Trophy Room to celebrate Australia Day will be screened on Wednesday, January 26th.
PS: The appointment with Dorothy has been postponed till early next year
(Editor)
William the Conqueror
William Lloyd Bates, just call me ‘Bill’, recently residing at2 Weldon Crt Hillcrest Qld 4118, but formerly having lived in Seville Victoria for the better part of his life. He mainly played his beloved sport of Table Tennis at Kilsyth for the C & DTTA.
Born on 18 August 1930, he developed a passion for “ping pong” at an early age. A very proficient exponent with the ‘hard bat’, Bill was ranked third in Australia in his heyday and his best achievement was reaching the semi final of the Australian Men’s Singles.
Turning 80 years of age in 2010, Bill decided to have another fling at trying his (left) hand at a World title. This momentous decision not only brought fame and glory to our Bill, but to our sport in Australia.
A very good defender with a sneaky, efficient backhand hit he achieved the impossible dream of his life in becoming a World Champion at Hohhot Inner Mongolia, China on 12 June 2010.
Then, in the rarefied air at 1100 metres above sea level, under trying conditions, he managed to beat the very best players in the World, including the all powerful Chinese on their home soil in gruelling competition.
Never comfortable at the eleven up format, Bill took some time to find his feet. Buddy Reid, Ken Sands and I spent three days practising with Bill before the tournament proper commenced. He just managed to survive the qualifying rounds on the Monday and came second in the three-way count back to qualify for the main draw.
But then, in the knock-out draw on Thursday, he clawed his way through to a place in the semi finals which were scheduled for Finals’ Day, Saturday.
Buddy Reid and Paul Pinkewich sat in Bill’s corner for the final match and expertly supported our champion. It was all that Bill needed; to know he wasn’t on his own out there in that big stadium, thouands of miles from home!
Terry Donlon, the English champion Bill had vanquished in the quarters, also very sportingly gave him some advice for the semi and final matches, as he had played these veterans in previous years.
So apart from all the Aussies, more than 70 of us, barracking for Bill we had the English support as well. The noise in the stadium was deafening when one final after the other came to its climax. The chant of Aussie Aussie, oi, oi, oi, rang out when Bill finally triumphed.
On reflection it must be said that we never imagined that Bill would ever play eleven up. Since 1996 Bill hadn’t play veterans any more and when the new format was introduced, as well as the bigger ball, Bill vowed to never play in veterans’ competition again.
Moving to Queensland a year or so ago helped him to change his mind when he met Tony Herbert and so we have William back into the fold again.
We, Victorians, would like to claim Bill as one of our own, but no doubt Queensland will claim him now. In addition Western Australia believes Bill belongs to them too, for he lived and played in Perth for a number of years.
To solve this conundrum it would be appropriate to have William Lloyd Bates, as the very first veteran player, inducted into the Australian Veterans Hall of Fame, for he has done us all proud.
I am inviting interested parties to so move at the next AGM of AusVet during the coming Australian Open Veterans Championships and thus acknowledge this fantastic achievement.
The Editor
3/7/2010
VALE
It is with great sadness we have learned of the death of table tennis stalwart Doreen Bridson after a short illness. Our deepest condolences are extended to Gerry and family.
4/7/2010
Maureen Sherman rang me to inform us of the passing of Graeme Ireland’s wife Kaye. Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to Graeme and family.
We received the following message from Peter De Low today.
Hello Casey, 6 May 2010
Well, yesterday saw the outcome of all the hard work to have my mother recognised for her services to table tennis.
On Thursday, 6th May 2010, she received the Order of Australia Medal at Government House, Sydney from Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO Governor of New South Wales. The citation read “for service to table tennis”.
We must await the official photographs but attached is one showing Doris in the grounds of Government House wearing her Medal. I’m standing behind her with my two daughters, her grand-daughters, Wendy left and Cathy centre.
Thank you for all your efforts. It was a wonderful day.
Peter
Important Notice to prospective entrants of VicVets Inaugural tournament at Dandenong on 16 May 2010.
Good news. The Greater Dandenong Table Tennis Association, the venue where we are holding this tournament, has unexpectedly been re-admitted into the fold of TTV.
This means of course that we will be playing at an affiliated association and the tournament is full speed ahead!
Rumour that the tournament is OFF is untrue, as is the rumour that by participating in this tournament your State Team selection chances will be jeopardised. They will not.
However it would appear it this stage that NO points will be awarded towards State Team selection, unless TTV abandons its hard ball attitude towards VicVets.
TTV would do well to reconsider its belligerent stance and award these points as they ought to, as the seedings will be done by some of the most experienced ‘ex-selectors’ in our veteran sport e.g. Roy Cintolo, Prisca Rosario and Case de Bondt.
Arnold Puts was to have participated as a selector too, but unfortunately for us has gone to Barcelona, Spain, to officiate in umpiring over there.
We congratulate Arnold on this international umpire’s appointment and are pleased to say he will be back in time to play in our tournament on 16 May at Dandenong.
All will be done fairly and above reproach, the prize money will be good and it is guaranteed that the participants will not be warming seats waiting for things to happen, as was the case at the last two important tournaments, the Victorian Veterans Closed and the Victorian Veterans Open run by TTV.
Late Entries will be accepted by Phone to both 03 5336 3789 or 03 5674 1736 or 0407 596 698; Fax 03 5674 1201 or the following E-mail addresses abeaton@supernerd.com.au ; caseybul1@bigpond.com until Sunday 9 May. Come along and enjoy this new innovative event.
Thursday 29 April 2010
The following letter was sent to TTV, offering an olive branch to overcome the present impasse. Sadly, at the combined meeting of the Board and the VicVets Committee on 22 April 2010, this offer was not accepted.
VicVets intends to conduct our inaugural tournament at Dandenong regardless to give the Victorian tournament veterans the opportunity to compete at Dandenong, as had tentatively been put on the tournament calendar for 2010 as one of eight tournaments towards State selection.
The Victorian Veterans Table Tennis Association Incorporated
PO Box 24 Inverloch Vic 3996
The CEO of the Board of TTV
C/- MSAC Box 5
Aughtie Drive
Albert Park Vic 3206 Monday 12 April 2010
Dear Members of the Board of TTV,
We became aware that you may not accept the Dandenong Association’s tournament in your programme and so we made arrangements to fill the breach.
We are ready to hold a tournament in Dandenong on the 16th May and believe there will be a high participation rate.
We are offering to hold this tournament under the umbrella of TTV.
All it will need is the formality of you affiliating the Victorian Veterans Table Tennis Association.
This could be easily and quickly done under the same conditions under which you have already affiliated other Associations such as Croydon and Mornington.
The committee of the Victorian Veterans Table Tennis Association have everything in place to conduct a Veterans Tournament at Dandenong on 16 May, including workers and Entry Forms.
This proposal would result in a win/win outcome for you and for the veteran players who can then still gain State Team Selection Points.
Our combined meeting, scheduled for 22 April, can also be further utilised to go into the details of the above proposition.
Yours in Table Tennis,
Case de Bondt, Hon. Secretary/Public Officer VicVets
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE VICTORIAN VETERANS TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED - 16 May 2010 – DANDENONG
The Victorian Veterans Table Tennis Association was formed after extensive consultations with the regular veteran tournament players through circulars distributed during the Victorian Vet Closed (May) and the Victorian Vet Open Championships (July) in 2009.
General disenchantment with TTV’s interference with the running of the veteran tournaments, the seeding and selection criteria imposed on the veterans and in particular the controversial points system over the past three or four years, first caused the resignation of all the selectors in 2007 and culminated in the formation of this movement to become an independent entity.
The interim committee was chosen by written and signed nominations received in July 2009 (Vic Open) and authority was given by the vast majority of the players to go ahead and incorporate the Association and to endeavour to obtain affiliation with TTV, and further to organise veteran activities in the State of Victoria.
The day after the Vic Open in July 2009 our first application to affiliate with TTV was sent by registered letter. This was rejected. Further applications were submitted in September 2009, November 2009 and January 2010. All these sincere attempts to affiliate were again rejected.
It became patently obvious to your committee that the Board of TTV had no intention whatsoever to allow the veterans to manage their own affairs. As recently as 22 April your committee met with the Board of TTV at the MSAC office to once more urge them to accept us and to give their approval to run our Inaugural Tournament here in Dandenong so that State Team Selection Points could still be earned.
We are at a loss why the Board continues to be unwilling to accept us and regard us as an enemy for last month once again, the fifth time, we were rejected.
These five separate rejections by TTV were based on frivolous reasons and were akin to making excuses why our affiliation requests were not acceptable i.e. not on proper forms, our constitution (which is basically the same as all other affiliated associations) and not indicating due deference.
In NSW the veterans are independent and manage their own affairs. All other major sports like tennis, squash, bowls and golf have their own independent veterans associations. Why can’t we? What is TTV afraid of?
Your present interim committee has at all times held the view that we wish to operate under the umbrella of TTV. Never did we believe that breaking away from the extended table tennis family would be in the interest of our sport as we feel this is the wish of all veterans in Victoria.
While our ongoing purpose, through the strength of numbers of our members, is to serve the veteran players of Victoria, our immediate aim is to :
1. Devise a better set of criteria than the present point system for seeding of veteran tournament and selection of Victorian veterans teams.
2. To ensure that the Selectors decisions are not overturned by the Board of TTV.
3. To run our tournaments more efficiently than the presently run tournaments at MSAC.
Relevant to the above is the New South Wales Veteran Association’s opening statement on their Website:
New South Wales Veterans Table Tennis Association Incorporated
This group has been operating since 1982 but in 1991 it broke away from “Table Tennis NSW Inc.” and became an “Incorporated” Association.
The aim of the Association is to conduct table tennis events and activities specifically for veteran table tennis players and to assist the New South Wales Association in the promotion control and organisation of table tennis for veteran players.
You become a Veteran player in the year you turn 40 years of age and you can play for as long as you can hold a racket. Our oldest and best known former world champion Dot Delow is now 95 and still hits a mean ball. ! She has just returned from Bremen, Germany after competing in the World Veterans Championships and winning a bronze medal in the over 85 years doubles.
Everyone who plays table tennis should be registered with TTNSW to a level that covers his or her involvement. If you only wish to play club/association events then a fee applies (50% discount to holders of Pensioner Benefit cards) or a slightly larger amount for those who are keen to play in State/Australian championships.
In addition players will most likely belong to a local shire/district/Insurance office/public service association to which they will have to pay a membership fee or belong to this association and pay the membership fee (Veterans 2006, $20 p.a. ).
Currently the Association rents the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Halls, Grand Parade on Sundays for the conduct of table tennis competitions. See “Competitions” below.
If you just want to play in your local association or go to a hall for some social table tennis and practice the relevant details are on the TTNSW page.
We now have another Veteran Table Tennis celebrity in Australia alongside our Dorothy De Low.
Let me introduce Geoffrey Volney Nesbitt to you from Moama, near Echuca Victoria.
Geoffrey last night was the recipient of the prestigious Echuca/Moama Sports-Star of the Year Award for 2009.
A copy of the impressive plaque listing all previous winners was presented to Geoff by the evening’s compere, AFL Player & TV Presenter Nathan Thompson.
In addition the Moama Bowling Club presenting Geoff with a cheque of $500.00 and the main prize, comprising a $2000.00 travel voucher from Travel Scene, also was presented.
Geoff has been the winner of Monthly Awards on many an occasion in previous years, but this is the first time he prevailed over 14 other contestants vying for the Sports Star of the Year Award.
Winning Gold at the World masters Games last October surely gave Geoffrey the edge over the other sports nominees.
Thus our beloved sport of Table Tennis once again is in the news and incentive to other folk “in the summer of their lives” to take up this sport for all ages.
Here follows a summary of Geoff’s achievements in 2009 bearing in mind he will be turning 76 next May:
World Masters Games (Hurstvile)
Gold O/70 Men’s Teams
Gold O/70 Men’s Doubles
Bronze O/70 Mixed Doubles
New Zealand National Veterans Championships
Gold O/65 Men’s A Grade Teams
Gold O/75 Men’s A grade Teams
Gold O/75 Men’s Doubles
Silver O/70 Men’s Doubles
Australian Master Games (Geelong)
Gold O/70 Men’s Teams
Gold O/70 Men’s Doubles
Silver O/70 Men’s Singles
Bronze O/60 Men’s Teams
Australian National Veterans Championships
Gold O/70 Men’s Doubles
Gold O/75 Men’s Doubles
Gold O/75 Men’s Singles
Silver O/75 Men’s teams
Silver O75 Mixed Doubles
Victorian Closed Veterans Championships
Gold O/75 Men’s Singles
Gold O/75 Men’s Doubles
Silver O/70 Men’s Doubles
Victorian Open Veterans Championships
Gold O/75 Men’s Doubles
Other 2009 District Championships
Ballarat, Bendigo, Echuca, Geelong, Mornington, Sunbury
Won 12 Events, R/U in six Events
Won one Team competition
I received the following message from Peter De Low:
Thanks from Dorothy De Low
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From:
Peter De Low<pdelow@bigpond.net.au>
| Date: 15 February 2010 05:01:29 PM
To:
Peter De Low<pdelow@bigpond.net.au>
Dorothy has asked me to thank all those people who offered congratulations on her award of an Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day2010.
Her written request said:
“To all my friends and family who sent me messages of congratulations on the occasion of my being awarded the OAM, I wish to thank them heartily. I do appreciate it. Last but not least, thanks to those who nominated me or supported my nomination in the first place.”
Sincerely
Dorothy/Doris/Dot De Low
It’s with horror that I’m watching the awful pictures emerging from the earthquake zone in Christchurch. I’ve visited your beautiful city many times and am heartbroken to see such shocking scenes.
The news coverage has been non-stop over here in Australia. I’m extremely saddened by the rising death toll and the large number of people still trapped under fallen buildings.
Our sincerest condolences go to your members and to the people of New Zealand. There will be a long road to recovery but your neighbours over The Ditch will be supporting you all the way.
Sincerely,
Tony Herbert
Queensland Veterans Manager
Hi Case,
