Council Report 1983-1984

Published in the 1984-1985 Handbook.

This report has been compiled from the reports given to the 1984 A.G.M. by the Officers of the Association.

The affairs of the Association have been administered by a Management Committee since September, 1983. This Committee has met on six occasions, and meetings have been well attended. It is the intention to carry on with the Management Committee for season 1984-85.

Winter League entries for season 1983-84 remained the same number as the previous season, i.e. 96 teams in eight Divisions, but unfortunately two teams withdrew during the season. W.LD. Textiles ended Railway A's six-year hold on the Division 1 title. W.L.D. last won the title nine years ago. The Division 3 title went to Telephones 'C', who won Division 4 two seasons ago and Division 5 the previous season. Quite an outstanding progression!

The York Closed Championships were again sponsored by Northern Investment Management Company Ltd. of Harrogate, and we are indebted to Malcolm Hall for this arrangement. There were two new events, namely the Division 1 Singles Event and the Veterans Doubles, and thanks are due to York R.I,T.T.C. and Sessions T.T.C. for donating trophies for these. Tony Sanderson, who was entitled to enter five events, won four of them.

Mike Sadler took over the organisation of the Bagshaw Trophy Event at short notice when our Vice-Chairman, Paul Cameron, resigned due to a job promotion which took him to Grantham. Entries for this event were slightly down on last year, but hopefully things will pick up for the 1984-85 event, which will be held in November, 1984.

Competition entries were slightly down on last year, but were still very popular, particularly the Charity Pairs Event, the finals of which were again staged at Y.C.L., Rufforth Hall.

It was an exceptional year from a Yorkshire League point of view. The Men's 1^st Team held their place in the Premier Division, the 2^nd Team were runners-up in Division 2, the Junior Team were runners-up in Division 1 and the Veterans 1^st Team won Division 2. Five players won Yorkshire League merit awards, namely Mike Wadsworth (Division 2 Men's), John Eastwood (Division 4 Men's), Mike Wadsworth (Division 2 Veterans), Tony Reed (Division 1 Junior Boys) and Lisa Clifford (Division 1 Junior Girls). Lisa also won our own R. E. Jakeman Memorial Award.

There was a late start to our Sunday morning coaching sessions due to building work at York R.I. Attendance has been very good but there has been a severe shortage of helpers. It is hoped to run a Coaches' Course next season, so if any players are interested in attending they should contact our Coaching Secretary, Betty Norman.

As previously reported, our Vice-Chairman, Paul Cameron, and our Social Secretary, Shirley Cameron, resigned in the early part of the season, and may we take this opportunity of thanking them for their efforts for the Association over the years. Mike Wadsworth succeeded Paul but we could not find anyone to succeed Shirley. However, Marion Broadbent, of Vickers, stepped in to run the May social event which was held at the Clubhouse, Haxby Road. This event was a near sell-out, attracting 110 players and guests.

Another innovation during the past season was the inclusion in the White Edition of the Yorkshire Evening Press of weekly league results.

The Treasurer reported that although a loss was made for the year, the finances were in a good situation.

Our General Secretary, David Atkinson, has recently won the York District Sports Council Service to Sport Award for 1983-84.

For the first time, table tennis was featured in the York Festival, when on 24th June, 1984, a Handicap Doubles Event was held at the Guildhall. Thanks are due to the Festival Committee, the Yorkshire Evening Press, Rothervale Joinery Centre and Cameo Engraving Company for their support and sponsorship.

At the A.G.M. the Chairman thanked the Officers, Committee/Sub-Committee Members, Tournament and Social Coordinators and Yorkshire League Team Administrators for their hard work during the season. Malcolm Hall has been elected President of the Association in succession to Mike Riley. Sally Downs has succeeded David Atkinson (who has reverted to Tournament Secretary) as General Secretary. Len Godderidge will be Match Secretary for all Divisions. There are two new Officers for season 1984-85, namely Steve Franz (Social Secretary) and Taffy Ball (Handbook Secretary).

League Tables and Players' Averages 1983-1984