Crawley, Horsham and District Table Tennis League

Development & Growth Sub Committee Minutes

Minutes 03/08/11 Committee

Present : Derek Flanagan, Joe Comper, Alan Shipley, George Gray.

Objectives

The group agreed that the objectives of this sub-committee is as follows:-
· To Improve our Marketing and raise our profile in the local community.
· To encourage new juniors to play table tennis.
· To encourage mature players to play Parents, schoolteachers etc) and/or retired players to return to Table Tennis)
· To establish new clubs and teams.
· To set up formal coaching sessions using full time professional coaches.
· To develop an ethics code to encourage fair play and the spirit of Table Tennis

The group stated that the above objectives should be pursued equally for both the Centralised league and Home and Away league.

Marketing :-

Two initial initiatives were identified :-

1- Approach a number of Secondary Schools ( eg St Wilfreds, Hazelwick, Oriol) in Crawley to try and replicate the success achieved at Holy Trinity. This provides the opportunity for new players, additional teams and possibly even a new club/venue. ………………………………………………………………….. Action Joe

2- Exhibition at County Mall, Crawley.

George has already made initial contact with County Mall (Nicola Stephens) and a date is to be confirmed between end September and end October with Saturday 29th October being our preference. This would be an all day event from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm …………………………………………………………………. Action George

This would take the form of at least 1 (and preferably 2 ) tables, several young players ( Kate & Daniel) for exhibition matches and possibly an experienced player ( professional coach)……………………………….Action Joe

A robot on the second table which could also be used for a prize competition for the public.

The flyers are already available and two vertical banners would need to be purchased ………………………………. action Derek

To design the artwork for the banners, and ideally a photo of a junior player would be ideal. Establish if we could get a photo of Kate Cheer and approval to publish …………………………………………………. Action Joe

Note – It is felt that we should emphasize throughout our marketing and promotional activities that Table Tennis is an “Affordable Sport” with lower costs than most other ball sports, and that can be played by all ages from 7 to 80+ .

Raising our profile :-

The flyers are now available to promote the League
The use of the banners at public venues , eg County Mall & K2 .
Further improve our web site , with reports, photos etc.
Match Reports in the local newspapers.
Crawley Table Tennis is now promoted on the new Crawley Sports web site www.crawleysports.com . Special thanks to George for making this happen .
Further enhance our profile here and request a link to our web site …………………………. Action George
Future events and match reports can be published on this web site ………………………………. Action Joe

Ethics Code :-

The following criteria were identified as a framework for an ethics code. It was proposed that this could be put into practice by introducing a Fair Play Award at the end of the Home & Away season if we could encourage the Away teams to score the matches ( out of say 10) using a simply form to send in with the score card. – Home team to arrive first and knock up so that away team, on arrival, at 7.15 are able to have a knock up before 7.30 pm – Welcoming of the away team. – Refreshments provided – Prompt start at 7.30pm ( or the agreed start time if earlier) . – Adhered to the 2 minute knock up rule – Friendly, enjoyable evening – Match played in the spirit of Table Tennis. – Equipment good – Environment good ( Flooring, lighting, space etc) – Other comments –

Coaching :-

Initially focus on coaching for Juniors . This can be a multi-activity as follows:-

Develop Table Tennis at additional Secondary schools.
Set up junior coaching at Holy Trinity on Thursdays before the Centralised league ,
ie 5.30 pm – 7.00 pm. Establish the availability, cost and type of programme available if we used a professional coach such as Rory Scott and/or Craig Bryant. ………………………… Action Alan & Derek

Further coaching opportunities at the end of the season as we have the HT hall booked upto end April .

Other :-

Ensure we get the contact details of all new players that come to the Tuesday practice sessions at Holy Trinity ……………………………………………………………………….. Action George

Encourage School teachers to form a table tennis team or join the existing clubs. …………………………………………………………………… Action Joe

Consider replicating the “Daytime” Table Tennis for senior citizens, similar to that currently performed by Foresters and Holbrook clubs……………………………………………………………………… Action All

Promote Crawley Table Tennis in the businesses in Manor Royal via the newly reformed Manor Royal Business District Association which now has a full time business manager Steve Sawyer…………………….. Action George

Minutes prepared y Derek Flanagan – Chairman

Thanks to Alan Shipley for his hospitality