This was a great chance for the Hollingbury team (the next generation as I call them) to show what they can do at this prestigious event.

This year, as last year, we had two teams but unusually all the team members had probably been playing for under 2 years and this was a baptism of fire.  

After last year’s team made it to the British Junior League, it was perhaps expecting too much from this year’s team to do the same. But in truth they played their hearts out and earned a solid reputation as a team to watch in the future.

The first team was composed of Elliott Jeffery, Emma Sheen and Jack Taylor. Emma has recently been chosen to play for the county cadet team and will be a player to watch in the future. All the players gave a brave performance against more experienced teams and were commended by other teams on their youthful nature. This team was playing against players in the top division that were either potentially Band 6 players on the Grand Prix circuit or British Junior League Div 4. There were moments when they could have despaired but they picked themselves up and fought on. Valuable lessons were learnt for the next encounter on the 28/11/09.

The second team was composed of Hai Dwong (8yrs old), Viral Varsani (9yrs old) & old man Bart (age 11 yrs). This was by far the youngest team but in ability and quality table tennis there was much to admire. Again they played against more seasoned players and got close to winning some games, but the experience of the other players told in the end.

It was an enjoyable event, with extra support provided by the parents of the players, who provided lifts for those who had none and support during crucial moments

I would like to extend thanks to all those who participated in this event and look forward to the next event on the 28/11/09

Ade Akinboyewa, Hollingbury Table Tennis Coach

Prakash Varsani, Hollingbury Table Tennis Coach

Over the weekend of the 24/25th October 2009, James, Carl and Mark played in the Junior British League at the Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke on trent.

The Competition is the ETTA flagship Junior event and has the best players from all over the country. Having made it through the qualifying phase in Nottingham, the boys have to start life in the entry division 4B. Even so, the standard was very good and the team did really well to end the first day unbeaten with two hard fought wins and a creditable draw.

In the evening the team relaxed with a game of pool, team coach and hustler Wes giving the boys a demonstration of how to play!

Day two proved to be a little harder, with the first match going Ernest Bevin Greenhouse Progress’s way without too much trouble. However, the last match of the weekend secured our second place spot with a great win over Urban Progress.

Overall results: Won three, lost one and one draw.

Best performance of the weekend: Carl and Wes for their double pool winning performances at the plush plough motel.

Classic moment of the weekend:  James ‘Boom Boom’ Meyers for his Mega KFC appetitie and car window problems. 

See link for tables: http://www.englishtabletennis.org.uk/competitions/ttleaguetables.cfm?divisionId=2454&eventId=99

New for this season, the Brighton Junior League is going to also be hosted by Brighton City – an important point to note, that the next event will be played at Brighton City and is scheduled for Monday 2nd November 2009.

Brighton City play at: Brighton Youth Centre (64 Edward Street, 2 Mins from the Pavilion).

http://www.brightontabletennisclub.co.uk/

Yes, it’s that time of the year again!  On Monday 12th October we will be holding our first Brighton Junior League event of the season at Bevendean Primary School. The competition will take place during six evenings over the next six months and is intended for juniors of all levels. We will again be splitting the event into different divisions to accommodate the level of skill and experience of our players.

Hollingbury Table Tennis Club invites you to our annual Quiz night which will take place on Saturday 21st November in the function room, Ladies Mile Pub in Patcham.  Pit your wits against Hollingbury’s finest brains!! The Quiz will start at 8pm, so please aim to arrive around 7.30pm. As usual our Quiz Master will be Peter Bartram.

Family and friends are very welcome to come along and we are hoping that you will support this social event. Can you please let Ade know if you plan to enter a team to enable him to get a rough idea of numbers. Teams may comprise of 6 or less people.

£2 per adult and  £1 for juniors to participate and there will be a raffle! It would be great if teams could bring along a prize for the raffle.

 Thanks very much, and I hope to see you on 21st November.

For more info on the big quiz ‘build up’, the ’Team news’  and ‘Major prizes’ visit the Hollingbury TTC Facebook page!

We’ve got a new website!  Now it’s easy for us to update you with all the latest news and scored.  Be sure to check back here regularly to find out what’s going on at Hollingbury Table Tennis Club.

Watch this space for the latest updates from our teams doing battle in the Brighton and District League…