Author Archives: Chris Main

Easter Training / Competitions

North Ayrshire Easter Camp
North Ayrshire will run their Easter Training Camp on the 2nd week of the Easter Holidays Tuesday to Thursday, April 12th, 13th & 14th. Coaches on the camp will be Chris & Richard Main and will have 1 practice partner each day. Each day will be limited to 14 players and to book your place on the course, please email info@northayrshirettc.co.uk.
As always, this camp offers a full day of table tennis under the guidance of qualified coaches and is open to players from all clubs in Scotland. Details are as follows ;

Tuesday April 12th – Beginners / Intermediates – 10am – 2.30pm
Wednesday April 13th – Advanced / National – 10am – 3pm
Thursday April 14th – Advanced / National – 10am – 3pm

Cost : £15 per day                    Venue : St Matthews Academy

Dumfries Training Camp
Training Camp to be held at DTTC with Scotland national squad player Calum Main. Open to players from all clubs, ages and abilities. To book, or for further details contact Chris Main on cmain88@gmail.com.

Tuesday – Beginners 10-12pm. Main session intermediate/advanced 1-6pm
Wednesday – 10-4pm (intermediate/advanced only)
Thursday – Beginners 10-12pm. Intermediate/advanced – service practice and match play discussion (10-12pm). 12.30 – 4.30pm training.
Some tables will be free on Tuesday and Wednesday evening for those wishing to do individual practice or arrange 1-1s with coaches – Calum Main, Chris Main or Dylan De Silva.

Maximum number of players per day is 16 so book early to confirm a place.
Closing date for registration is Sunday 3rd April.
Please make cheques payable to Dumfries Table Tennis Club.

Up & Coming Competitions / Camps
March 26th / 27th – Inter League
April 5th / 6th / 7th – Dumfries Easter Camp
April 9th / 10th – British League
April 12th / 13th / 14th – NATTC Easter Camp
April 17th – WoS Junior League
April 23rd / 24th – National Championships
30th May / April 1st – Development Training
May 7th / 8th – Blackpool GP

National League Division 3 Winners

The final weekend of the Scottish National League took place on Saturday 19th March at Drumchapel Sports Centre and High School. North Ayrshire Table Tennis Club’s (NATTC) Division 1 team consisting of Richard Main, Christopher Main and Colin Dalgleish had won this division the past 4 years however they knew it wasn’t possible to win this season as they were too many points strengthened sides Drumchapel TTC and Knightswood TTC. After an impressive win over Edinburgh Murrayfield winning 6-0, they couldn’t capitalise on this firm losing out to Knightswood and eventual runners up 4-2 in a closely fought match. NATTC finished in 4th spot and will look to improve on this position next year. Drumchapel TTC went on to win this division as they remained unbeaten throughout the season.

In the 3rd division, NATTC’s team of Andy MacPherson, Chris Barclay and Martin Johnson were in prime position to win the league and gain promotion to the 2nd division. With an excellent win over Edinburgh Murrayfield 4-2 in their first match, it would mean that NATTC had to win their final match 4-2 to win the league on points difference. NATTC took the lead 3-2 in this high stake match, which meant 13 year old Martin Johnson had to win the last match to win the league and seal promotion, which he did in emphatic fashion winning 3-0. Great team effort throughout the season and thoroughly deserved, congrats.

NATTC’s 4th Divison team consisting of Jill Taylor, Ryan Henry and Robin Wilson ended their 2015- 16 national league campaign with a 6-0 win over North Merchiston (Edinburgh) and a close 4-2 loss against Triangle (Aberdeen). This meant that they finished in a commendable 5th place and will also look to improve on this position next year and challenge for promotion into the 3rd division.

Dumfries Friendly Match

Dumfries Table Tennis Club invited a squad of North Ayrshire players down to compete in a inter club friendly match on Friday 11th March. 9 players from NATTC travelled down to compete in team matches with consisted of three 3 v 3 matches.

All matches were very close and played in good spirit, NA A beat Dumfries A 5-4, NA B beat Dumfries B 6-3 & NA C beat Dumfries C beat 5-4. Dumfries TTC are holding a Easter Training Camp on April 5th, 6th & 7th with information on their website – www.dumfriesttc.co.uk.

Dumfries A                         North Ayrshire A
Keir Morton                        Chris Main
Danny Bajwa                      Richard Main
Dylan De Silva                    Robin Wilson

Dumfries B                         North Ayrshire B
Gordon Duff                      Martin Johnson
Stuart Brown                     Harvey McDonald
Liam Marshall                   Ryan Henry

Dumfries C                        North Ayrshire C
Kenny Lee                          Kayser Collins
Ross Thomson                  Jamie Johnson
Catrin Ace                          Owen Wilson

Success for Ryan Henry at BTTAD

Congratulations to junior club member Ryan Henry who picked up two medals at BTTAD National Championships which were held in Grantham on the 5th & 6th of March. Ryan (15) who is a pupil at St Matthews Academy is one of the hardest workers at the club and over the past year has dedicated a lot of time and effort improving his game. Ryan won a bronze medal in Class 8 where he lost to Team GB member Ross Wilson & picked up a silver medal as he  reached the final of Band B.

Ryan is heading down to EIS in Sheffield this weekend (March 26th & 27th) to attend Team GB assessment day in hoping he will be part of the Team GB pathway or development squad in the future. To view results, pictures and more info on BTTAD , visit their website at www.bttad.org

TT Classes A Success

North Ayrshire Table Tennis Club have more classes than ever on at the start of 2016 and are currently travelling round schools & community groups promoting the sport of table tennis. Club coaches are making sure everyone in the three towns area knows that the opportunity is there for anyone of any age and ability, to come along to North Ayrshire Table Tennis Club and try a new sport.
In partnership with North Ayrshire Active Schools & SportScotland, NATTC have after school clubs or lunch time clubs in four local schools which are free of cost for all pupils. These classes are all near capacity and give pupils the chance to try out table tennis under the guidance of qualified coaches & assisted by Young Sports Leaders . Two Over 50’s sessions will begin at the start of April at St Curthberts Church, Saltcoats & West Kilbride Town Hall with more information being published in March.
North Ayrshire TTC are based at St Matthews Academy, Saltcoats and if anyone would like to come along to one of the sessions or would like to find out more information about our club please email info@northayrshirettc.co.uk.
Monday 7pm – 9pm – Open Club Night – Anyone of any age and ability is welcome to come along and play table tennis. 16 tables are set up & available to use.
Tuesday 4.30 – 6pm – After School Club – Primary 4 to Primary 7 pupils are welcome to come along and get involved in a fun & active session.
Wednesday 7pm – 9pm – Open Training Night – Adults & intermediate / advanced players can attend and train under the guidance of one of our club coaches.

Medal Haul at Edinburgh Open

Fantastic weekend for North Ayrshire players at this year’s Jarvis Sports Edinburgh Open. North Ayrshire players posting some great results & individual wins. Medals winners are as follows with full detailed report available on Edinburgh TT’s website at – http://goo.gl/BEIw8C

Winners from North Ayrshire.

Martin Johnson – U13 Boys
Robin Wilson – Band 3
Kayser Collins – Band 6
Patric Hollywood – Band 7
Gordon Provan – Band 8 (seniors)

Runners Up from North Ayrshire.

Martin Johnson – Band 1
Jamie Johnson – Band 4
Owen Wilson – Band 6
Naomi Provan – Band 7
Robin Wilson – Band 6 (seniors)

Scottish Schools Qualifier

The West of Scotland region held its Scottish Schools Qualifier in Glasgow on Saturday 16th January. 70 of the best junior players from the West of Scotland competed at this event vying for 20 qualification spots to the Scottish Schools Final which is held in Edinburgh on February 21st.
North Ayrshire TTC had 15 players competing at the event with each player representing their school in their age category. Ryan Henry (St Matthews Academy) won the U16 Boys event beating team mate Robin Wilson (Greenwood Academy) in the final. Patric Hollywood (Caledonia Primary School) performed brilliantly throughout the day reaching the final of the U12 Boys event losing to top seed Rayyan Khalid (Knightswood Primary).
Congratulations to the following players who qualified for the Scottish Schools Final.U16 Winner – Ryan Henry (St Matthews Academy)
U16 Runner Up – Robin Wilson (Greenwood Academy)

U16 semi finalists – Kayser Collins (St Matthews Academy) & Owen Wilson (Greenwood Academy)
U14 semi finalist – Martin Johnson (Auchenharvie Academy)U12 Runners Up – Patric Hollywood (Caledonia Primary School)

U12 Semi Finalists – Grant McLellan (Ardeer Primary School) & Chad Duncan (St Anthony’s Primary School)

Nottingham GP / Bishop Auckland 2*

Nottingham GP – Jan 30th
Andy Macpherson, Ryan Henry, Chris Main, Robin Wilson, Jamie Johnson & Martin Johnson travelled down to Nottingham Uni Campus to compete in 1 of the 10 Grand Prix events of the year, Nottingham GP. Grand Prix competitions are well known to be the highest of standards and are always a weekend full of matches and ups and downs. Ryan & Jamie found it tough in their band 5 and band 6 groups, just losing out in qualifying in both events. Andy Macpherson worked his way to the Last 16 of Band 4 event losing out in a very close & entertaining match v Team GB Paralympic player & eventual winner Billy Shilton 11-8 in the fifth. Robin who was competing in his first Grand Prix lost in Last 16 of Band 6 11-8 in the fifth and played well reaching that stage with 4 wins. Martin failed to qualify in both events in count back and unlucky to do so. On the Sunday, Martin performed brilliantly in losing out to the top Irish Junior Owen Cathcart 3-1. Martin got him in a great position being 1-0 8-4 up, but Owen fought back and won the 2nd, 3rd & 4th set.

Bishop Auckland 2* – Jan 31st
Good squad of our most promising players attended Bishop Auckland 2* event on January 31st. Chad Duncan, Patric Hollywood, Jamie Johnson, Robin Wilson, Holly McNamara & Ryan Henry. All players put in great results and gained plenty of matches, also great to see our players competing and beating players from top English clubs. Pictures our NATTC players and full results are available on Bishop Auckland TTC Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/bishopttc.

Jamie Johnson – U11’s winner & U13 boys plate winner.
Holly McNamara – U13 Girls plate winner.
Chad Duncan – U13 Boys plate r-up.
Patric Hollywood – Last 16 of U13 Boys.
Ryan Henry – Last 16 of Junior Boys.
Robin Wilson – Last 16 of Junior Boys.

 

2016 Competitions & Classes

Monday Night TT will start back on Monday January 4th & Wednesday Night training session will also be on 7-9pm. All other classes and 1-1 sessions will begin week commencing 11th January. West of Scotland Senior League starts back 11th January, all fixtures can be viewed on www.tabletennis365.com/westofscotland. West of Scotland Junior League date for the 2nd weekend is still to be confirmed will publish this week when confirmed.

Spaces are also available for Dumfries Table Tennis Club’s Friday session 6.30 – 9.30 in which Chris Main will be heading down once every few weeks, contact Chris if you are interested in going.

Competitions
WoS Schools Qualifier – Sat 16th Jan
British League – Sun 17th Jan
Glasgow Junior Open – Sat / Sun, 23rd/24th Jan
Nottingham GP – Jan 30th / Jan 31st
Bishop Auckland 2* – Sun Jan 31st
Edinburgh Open – Sat / Sun, 6th/7th Feb
Scottish Schools – Sunday Feb 21st
WoS Junior League (3) – Sunday 13th Mar

National Senior League Results

Rounds 3, 4 & 5 of the Scottish National Senior League were held at our club venue of St Matthews Academy Saltcoats which seen 32 teams from all over Scotland head to Saltcoats to compete.

Division 3 Team of Andrew Macpherson, Chris Barclay & Martin Johnson are looking good for promotion to Division 2 this year if they keep their good results coming in on the last weekend of matches. Andy, Chris & Martin had convincing 6 – 0 wins over Stirling, Scottish Vets B & West Lothian to put them top of the table heading into the last round of matches.

Division 1 team had a tough time versus Drucmhapel losing 6-0 against their 3 strong Chinese players, four matches went to the 5th set but in the end Drumchapel won the important points and finished a 1 sided defeat. 6-0 win over Scottish Vets & a 4-2 win v South Ayrshire with our junior player Robin Wilson getting a shot in division 1, Robin competed very well losing out in two tight matches.

Division 4 side of Jill Taylor, Robin Wilson & Ryan Henry won 5-1 versus Drumchapel and lost 5-1 to South Ayrshire & 5-1 to Brunswick. North Ayrshire C are currently sitting in 5th position with 2 matches still to play in the last weekend which will be at Drumchapel in March.

League Table are available to view – https://tabletennis365.com/ScottishNationalLeague

Pictures are available to view – https://goo.gl/0bdW5Z