What can the ETTA do about the loss of numbers

[IrishCanary]

When i joined the Norwich League in 1986 they were the 4th biggest league in the country and had 11 divisions. Now as i finish playing in the Norwich league it is down to 6 divisions and has lost 3 teams this season. I am not sure how it compares to other leagues regarding still being the 4th biggest.
But the big question is What are? the ETTA doing to help local leagues?

[Annie]

A very topical debate as I think everyone is aware that Table Tennis is just not getting the media coverage it deserves and not likely to when there are falling numbers.

Part of Table Tennis Talk's ambition is to elevate the sport's profile in any way it can and to have frank discussions about what's happening within the sport.

You are in good company Irish Canary and I hope your faith will be restored.

In your opinion though, what do you think can be done realistically?

[IrishCanary]

Annie,
I think the loss of players like myself (who are prepared to encourage family youngsters into the sport and turn out 2 or 3 nights a week) Will, maybe in 20 years or so kill local leagues. I think the ETTA need to take a more practical approach to players and there rules. After all playing table tennis be it at a youth club or in an unaffiliated league, keeps people interested and keeps them encouring newcomers to the sport. I was once told very early on in my Norwich League career by the then general secretary of the league, Ken Edwards, who is sadly no longer with us. That the rules are there to ensure we have a fair sporting evening. Not to stop us playing. Sadly it seems to me that a common sence approch to rules such as playing in non affiliated leagues are of no interest to the ETTA. Maybe they are more interested in there affiliation fee.
Sadly having made the decision that i am leaving the sport for good i will not be affected by the numbers falling.
Maybe Annie by losing whingers like me the league numbers will increase.

[DaveR]

Firstly the fact that people who encourage youngsters and indeed anyone else in to the sport contemplating leaving it for good is sad in itself, given we and the ETTA need the players, coaches and parents alike to participate in the sport of Table Tennis if it is to survive in any shape or form, which i believe it will, just not so local in some places.

The local leagues must realise they are not playing for themselves but for the future of the sport in their own particular area, wether that be where i live or where you live Canary is irelevant what is relevant is are they giving the support and promotion to the sport in every way they can as an association or league? If not then yes it's a lost cause with the remaining members of the particular league or area playing their own selfish careers out until it folds completely.

The other way forward is a little more creative and beneficial to other younger and aspiring players who look at maybe Paul Drinkhall and co, with a belief they may oneday become as good as those players. Not so if certain leagues or associations arnt willing to promote and encourage with some vigour and thought as to how to "increase" year on year the numbers that are most obviously falling (drametically in some areas) we can all do more but some do nothing it seems but let the numbers and stuation just worsen until the inevitable happens as has done with many badminton leagues and divisions.......................we have the time but people need to get things moving and plant the seeds now not when the trees have died........as we all know growth in any area of sport of business needs feeding and encouragement to succeed.

My rant goes a wandering at times !

[MK Chris]

I would like to see local league affecting your ranking. It'd be a nightmare to implement in the first place, fair enough, but once it's in I think more people would play local league who currently only play tournaments and the like.

[Spongebob!]

I would like to see local league affecting your ranking. It'd be a nightmare to implement in the first place, fair enough, but once it's in I think more people would play local league who currently only play tournaments and the like.

....mmm interesting...!!!

Sponge! :thumbsup:
ps - good luck to MK Don's on Sunday :laola:

[JKC]

It would be interesting to see where players were actually ranked out of everyone who played local league TT in the country. What would a current top 50 ranking mean? Somewhere nearer 100/150 I suspect and when you get nearer my 200ish, would I be around the 500/1000 mark? or even lower? I in no way believe that I am 200th in the country anyway.
It might stop a few players feeling they had to go to as many GP's as possible to maintain their ranking due to this strange system we have with the 'rating point inflation'. Personally I know that since I have stopped going to GP's over the last year or so and just played BL, my ranking has gone down by 50+ places although I am playing better than I was at the time.

[MK Chris]

....mmm interesting...!!!
Out of interest.. good interesting, or bad interesting?

ps - good luck to MK Don's on Sunday :laola:
Now (some of you may not want to hear this, considering a few seem to come from the same place), I do go and see the Dons every now and again and obviously want them to win.. but since I was into football I've been a Newcastle fan! :whistle2: :zip: (I think the reason is that I got into football after most people and since Milton Keynes didn't really have a team then, all my mates supported London teams or Man United.. so I wanted to be a bit different.)

It would be interesting to see where players were actually ranked out of everyone who played local league TT in the country. What would a current top 50 ranking mean? Somewhere nearer 100/150 I suspect and when you get nearer my 200ish, would I be around the 500/1000 mark? or even lower? I in no way believe that I am 200th in the country anyway.
It might stop a few players feeling they had to go to as many GP's as possible to maintain their ranking due to this strange system we have with the 'rating point inflation'. Personally I know that since I have stopped going to GP's over the last year or so and just played BL, my ranking has gone down by 50+ places although I am playing better than I was at the time.
Well I don't have a ranking and I'm not likely to have one any time soon, if ever. I'd be down in the 20,000, I'm pretty sure (how many people play local league at the moment?)

[Spongebob!]

Out of interest.. good interesting, or bad interesting?


Now (some of you may not want to hear this, considering a few seem to come from the same place), I do go and see the Dons every now and again and obviously want them to win.. but since I was into football I've been a Newcastle fan! :whistle2: :zip: (I think the reason is that I got into football after most people and since Milton Keynes didn't really have a team then, all my mates supported London teams or Man United.. so I wanted to be a bit different.)

Order....Order!!!! :redcard:

Only kidding maaaaaatey - that's fine - as long as you've got your health that's the main thing!!!!

Only kidding again as a Sunderland AFC fan I'm still OK with that its just a bit of friendly banter - lets hope they managed to stay up - its good for the region.

Cheers - Spongey!!!

[Annie]

I never knew Sunderland had a football team............only ever heard of Newcastle and I hear they're the best in the area! :resent:

[Spongebob!]

I never knew Sunderland had a football team............only ever heard of Newcastle and I hear they're the best in the area! :resent:

:taz::taz::redcard::taz::taz: Order....Order!!!!

Sponge!