WEST LOTHIAN TABLE TENNIS CLUB

Lothians Open Championships Season 2009/10

One of the pre-requisites of holding an Open Tournament is receiving the approval of Table Tennis Scotland with regard to the quality of venue, appropriateness of the date etc. This season TTS was late in approving its own competitive calendar because, in part, they awaited news of international events from the various international bodies before being able to complete their own. Thus, its issue was later than usual.

In turn, therefore, it was later than usual that the West Lothian club was able to request approval of specific dates but, by this time, our venue at Bathgate Academy Sports Hall had been booked by other sporting organisations. This led us to attempt negotiation with both TTS and the Bathgate Sports Trust, which has responsibility for the hall, in an attempt to find an acceptable date but without success. As a significant user of the facility the club felt that a greater cognisance of its needs could have been given, particularly as there is not a similar facility in the rest of West Lothian.

It was therefore with deep regret that the club had to forego hosting the event this season particularly in view of the fact that it had become a regular fixture in the Scottish competitive calendar and had been supported by a large number of Scotland’s table tennis fraternity. It also represented a significant loss of a top quality sporting event for the county of West Lothian.

These opinions have been openly expressed but it is now time to look forward. For our part we will be pushing for the earlier provision of the Scottish table tennis calendar and, hopefully, be in a position to make an early booking at Bathgate for the coming season. This is an event which is eagerly awaited by all members of the club as it gives them the opportunity of not only competing with the best that Scotland can muster but provides an experience which is not too readily available elsewhere in the country.

Meantime, apologies to any player who was looking forward to this event but we hope to be in a position to welcome you next season.