The History of NSTTL THE HISTORY OF THE NORTHERN SUBURBS TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE 1988: A chance remark by KY Lum led to he & Geoff Long preparing a feasability study on the likelyhood of the success in establishing a new Table Tennis body - based in Hobart¹s Northern Suburbs. This had been tried twice before by others. On the 12th September 1988 a public meeting was held to determine the level of support. Twelve people attended. At that meeting it was agreed to the forming of an interim Steering Committee of KY Lum, Geoff Long, Stefan Komarzynski and later Ron Sullivan. There were several factors that helped provide a firm foundation in the early days of your League. One was the desire to establish an organisation that was centred around and drawn from the ŒNorthern Suburbs¹ community. We were keen to develop local interest rather than attract people from other areas. (A survey during the first full year showed 90% of our players lived in our area and the majority of those people were new players). Another factor, which is still in evidence today, was the willingness of many people to unreservedly assist where they could. Many innovative ideas have been implemented as there was a willingness to break with tradition and move with the changes in society. The League started with no tables or other equipment, no venue, no money, and few players but with the leadership of K Y Lum and dedication by others, we progressed to a prominent position in the sport, in a very short time. Geoff Long contacted Bro. Peter Dezani of Dominic College whom he remembered had been a driving force in encouraging student participation in Glenorchy. This led to Br Peter recommending Ron Sullivan as a potential Treasurer. (Bro. Peter was the Patron of the NSTTL for our first 12 years). It was agreed that we needed to organise a competition to 'test the interest of players', before the end of 1988. To this end the Moonah Community Centre was hired for a short Roster of 6 weeks (18/10/88 to 22/11/88). KY Lum, Geoff Long, Stefan Komarzynski and Ron Sullivan each contributed to purchasing 4 tables and we were away. K Y Lum arranged teams, made up the draw and was our first Newsletter Editor. This Spring Roster was a great success with 8 teams playing. The 8 teams being National Mutual, Army 1 and 2, Centurions, The Pretenders, Tasurg, Cantankerous, and The Strangers. Eastside Table Tennis League (ETTL) loaned us barriers. Players included Ian Forbes, Tim Morgan, Roly Hyatt, Lawrence Cheng, K Y Lum, Michael Thorp, Scott Cooper, David Simmons, Christine Simmons, Jamie Simmons, Cheryl Simmons, Nino Fantini, Edmund Cheng, Ron Sullivan, Douglas Pateros, Adrian Bassett, Brian Leggett, Geoff Long, Andrew Lucena, Ross Hall, Jeff Fung, Andrew Dillon. Our first social function was held at the end of the Roster. This was attended by 30 people including ETTL President Doug Free and his wife Molly. Catering was provided by KY & Maureen Lum. A Constitution was adopted and the first full Committee elected as follows: Bro Peter Dezani (Patron), KY Lum (President), Geoff Long (Secretary) Christine Simmons (Asst Secretary), Ron Sullivan (Treasurer), Andrew Dillon (Asst Treasurer), Committee: Brendan Black, Brendon Cugino, Nick Fantini, Ian Forbes, Jeff Fung, Roger Massie, Cheryl Simmons, Jamie Simmons and Aaron Young. Pierce Sui was elected Auditor. 1989: January was a very busy time with Bro Peter (a retired woodwork teacher) and Ron Sullivan designing and building 10 tables plus sufficient court barriers for the start of the Autumn 1989 Roster. A working bee helped with table sanding & painting. A competition was held decide a Logo and Slogan. This was won by Alex Lum (Logo) and Jamie Simmons (Slogan). The Tasmanian Table Tennis Association (TTTA) had been unable to assist with a start-up loan, but TTTA President Bill Atkinson helped by providing model rules etc and promoted our early acceptance as a full member of the state body. So with the very kind assistance of the Eastside League we borrowed funds to cover the cost of making the tables etc. We repaid this loan before time, assisted by a grant from the Tasmanian Dept of Sport & Recreation. It became obvious that we would require a larger venue, so KY Lum negotiated with Rosetta High School use their Gymnasium - an arrangement that was happily maintained for five years. We hereby record our thanks to the Headmaster at the time Mr Ross Buckley, and Bursar Mr Phil Ward for their co-operation and encouragement. The March 1989 Committee minutes show - an entry of 30 teams in 5 divisions in our first full roster, the initial use of our 10 new tables, preparations for our first Closed & Open Championships, Roger MassieŒs plans for our first school rosters, Geoff Frith joining the Committee, Brendan Black being appointed our first League Coach, discussions about a Quiz night, and the application for full membership of the TTTA. We soon recognised the need for higher quality tables and court barriers and the first of a number of purchases of international quality tables was made in 1990. In addition we saw that a way of ensuring that schools had tables available for in-school practice was to set up a loan system. Currently we own a total of around 30 tables being 18 Stiga or Joola models and 12 of the more basic models. These are in constant use for either our night rosters or in school halls. For some years there had been discussion about the best ways to promote Table Tennis in the community in general and particularly in the school environment. Some sports employed a development officer and this was seen by the various associations to be a viable project with government assistance. On the expectation that this programme would, over time, lead to an increase in players at Northern Suburbs, the NSTTL entered into a contract for three years. Unfortunately, the programme did not fulfil our expectations, despite extending the contract to four and a half years. However, there were many positive aspects of the development officer programme for some of the talented youngsters located by TTTA Development Officer Peter Ma Sen via the Northern Suburbs League sponsorship, achieved well deserved national success. In this respect we recognise Julia & Kristel Banasik, Rodney, Benita & John Huskins and Brett Mitchell, and wish them well for the future. 1990: Ruth Clark was appointed paid League School Coach and provided excellent preparatory work and later assisted Peter Ma Sen with a most sucessful initial programme. 1991: A record number of school teams (34 Secondary and 28 Primary Schools teams) was received in the first term. A Life Be In It Expo at the Derwent Entertainment Centre attracted 300 entries in a draw from the table tennis display. It was agreed to establish a perpetual shields for the best Primary School (donated by Geoff Long Music) and the best Secondary school in recognition of the valued service given to the League by Ron Sullivan. Rosetta Primary School and Dominic College were the respective inaugural recipients. 1992: KY Lum organised a 301 competition (tag table tennis), and also a large Quiz Night with $1,000.00 in cash prizes. 1993: Introduction of NSTTL Awards - Life Membership granted to KY Lum. Appreciation Certificates: Jeff Fung, John Piontek, Tony Andrikonis, Bill Atkinson, Julian Robertson, Doug McLean, Stefan Komarzynski, Con Cannamela, Carl Lawton, The Banasik Family, The Huskins Family, Kaye Pullen, Roze Wilson & Roger Massie. Good Service Awards: Tom Burke, Bernie Siegemund, Fred Turner. NSTTL Junior Accademy commences. CAPS programme implemented. A provincial Chinese team visits and plays a demonstration at Dominic College. 1994: The League relocates to Parsons Sports Centre. Life Membership granted to Bro Peter Dezani. New match format of 6 singles and 3 doubles, devised by Ian James was trialed and accepted. 1995: Recognition Certificates: Geoff Jones, Brenton Tapp, Judy Tapp, Alison Bourke (nee Davey) & Peter Colquhoun, Good Service Awards: Geoff Frith & Bruce Watson. Establishment of joint association meetings. Cliff Bradley, Carl Lawton, & Geoff Long accredited as Level 1 Sports Administrators. Several matters in dispute with the TTTA were unresolved. 1996: Recognition Certificates: Ian Long, Tony Pergar, Matthew Priest. Good Service Awards: Colin Dennison, Don Hamilton & Roger Massie. Lightning Roster concept introduced. Commenced using the YMCA Stadium as an additional venue. Glenorchy City Council provide a grant for new tables & barriers. Roze Wilson represents Australia at World Lithuanian Games. Lunchtime Rosters re-launched. Combined Open Championships held with ETTL a great success -featuring an ex-World Champion Tong Ling plus Australian Champion and ex-Olympic qualifier Dennis Makaling. Life Membership Granted to Geoff Long. Members vote to discontinue affiliation with TTTA. First issue of magazine - Northern Suburbs News. 1997: Lightning Doubles Roster, Family Fee introduced, Umpire Sessions by Carl Lawton . Geoff Long is accredited to Level 2 Sports Management. 1998: Good Service award: Carl Lawton, Introduction of Roster Match Books, Roze & Elizabeth Wilson represent Australia at World Lithuanian Games, Roger Massie was by far the most successful roster player to date having increased his winning Pennant total to 13 Division One Team titles, followed by Ian Long with 9 Veteran Premierships. 1999:The news that the Hobart YMCA were closing down was initially a dis-advantage as we had used their Stadium for the past three and a half years on Friday nights. Initially this meant that we were unable to complete our Autumn Roster and to start the Winter Roster. However, with the possibility of the YMCA re-opening, an opportunity arose where we could at last find a permanent home for all our Night Roster activity with all the facilities that we would desire. So your League Committee initiated and began discussions with YMCA Management about useage on other nights. As a result of this work by Don Hamilton, Laurie Clarkin, Geoff Long and Andrew Browning we began to offer three nights of play.This was consolidated to Wednesday & Friday Nights in the 14+ table Kable Stadium. Facilities at the YMCA are world class and when linked with our high quality tables and barriers, we were able to offer possibly the best environment for Table Tennis in Tasmania. Wheelchair player Daniel Page was selected to represent Australia in Thailand in January 1999. Daniel Page was also a nominee for a Tasmanian Stars of Sport Award. Late in 1999 also came the news that Daniel had received an associate scholarship from the Tas Institute of Sport. Daniel, together with Andrew Browning represented Tasmania at the 1999 National Wheelchair Games. Roger Massie again was involved in national and international wheelchair table tennis events. Roger Massie was granted NSTTL Life Membership. 2000: First full year of consolidated operations at the YMCA. 2001: Player recruitment television campaign together with STTTA conducted. Trial of new 11 point game system and decision to retain traditional 21 point game method. Players take a social playing trip to Devonport & Deloraine. In-school and roster night coaching recommences. Digital camera shots of winning teams each roster is introduced for publication in the Northern Suburbs News magazine. 2002: Relocation to a dedicated hall area at the YMCA and new brighter lights fitted. Carl Lawton presented a series of umpiring tips sessions. Successful visit for social matches by Devonport and Deloraine players. Good Service Award was presented to Laurie Clarkin. 2003: NSTTL Website was set up by Robert Huxtable and a Mid-Year Trophy Fun Doubles Night was introduced. Top Ten Challenge trialled. Over 37 players went by bus on a Social Playing Trip to Devonport and Deloraine. Life Membership was granted to Don Hamilton. 2004: Successful visit for social matches by players from most parts of the state. 'Top Spin Challenge' Tournament introduced. 2005: Good Service Award was presented to Ian Long. Social trip to Eagle Hawk Neck. Players went by bus on a Social Playing Trip to Burnie and Deloraine. 2006: Life Membership was granted to Bruce Watson. Visit for social matches by players from most parts of the state. Two highly successful visits by Victorian Coach Bruce Carter and his sons Craig and Trent. 2007: NSTTL re-affiliate with the Tasmanian Table Tennis Association. Good Service Award was presented to Robbie Stringer. Also our long term patron Bruce Watson passed away, he was a valued member of our club and he will be sadly missed. 2008: NSTTL elects new young committee and elects Don Hamilton as our new patron. Don has served the club for numerous years and is a life member. Also Geoff Long steps off the committee he was thanked for his efforts at the board level throughout the years. In June NSTTL takes out YASAKA State League Shield. NSTTL representatives included. A. Cutlan, D. Huxtable, R. Huxtable, H. Denehey, R. Massie, G. Long, R. Stringer, S. McDougall, L. Massie, M. Courtney, T. J. Ingram.

Committe Members

FAQ

History

Links