National League Proposal

The proposal is attached with a few updates. These mainly covered the following aspects:

- Rather than the National League Committee deciding who was in which division for the first year, a (round-robin) tournament should be organised at the end of the year from which the divisions for 2010/11 will be decided.

- In the past, all teams had to provide a qualified umpire for each fixture. It was suggested this was included in the proposal - it would also increase the number of qualified umpires in Scotland which is a bonus. However, this could hinder the interest in the competition potentially?

- Regarding eligibility, most people preferred the option of only players from the club entered in the local league are allowed to enter though it was requested that, were the ‘Dundee Vets', ‘Aberdeen Scouts' (for example) wanting to enter as a team with players from different clubs from the local area then they would be allowed to.

Looking forward, this is the anticipated plan:

- Replies from LLCs by 20/11/09

- Confirmation of interest from clubs/teams by 15/12/09

- First committee meeting to set dates/rules/entry fees January 2010

- Confirmation of entries from clubs/teams by end February 2010

- Round-Robin tournament to decide leagues in 2010/11 ~April 2010

- Competition starts Autumn 2010

Could you please let your clubs, coaches or whoever you think would be interested in the creation of these leagues aware of the proposal and reply to Sean Doyle 18^th of November with any comments/suggestions?

Also, if you have people who are interested in being on the National League committee or have any other questions, please forward them so thay can be passed to Table tennis Scotland.

Download the proposal

Table Tennis Scotland Push For Umpires

Table Tennis Scotland recognises that it is currently facing a serious lack of umpires and referees.  As such, it aims to recruit a number of new umpires (and referees) over the next few years.  It has devised two different levels of refereeing/umpiring qualifications which will suit people with different potential levels of commitment.                                                                      

As discussed and agreed at the LLC meeting on the 18^th of October 2009, every league with more than 50 members will be required to put one new member/year forward for the qualification.

For 2009/10 (based on 2008/09 affiliation data), these leagues would be: Ayrshire, Aberdeen & District, Dundee & District, Edinburgh & Lothian, Perth & District, Stirling & Midland, West Lothian and West of Scotland.

The timeframe for this ‘Push for Umpires' is:

• v Information officially sent out to LLCs: Early November 2009
• v Candidates Put Forward: By End November 2009
• v Candidates do test at home: December/January 2009
• v Candidates get assessed: West of Scotland Open, 23^rd/24^th January 2010 or SNC 6^th/7^th March 2010

Table Tennis Scotland umpiring levels:

Level A:

Benefits:

• - Free Umpire Qualification
• - Free TTS Membership
• - Free Umpire Shirt (with TTScotland or Name)
• - Free access to further umpiring courses + Rules books
• - Free TSP Umpires Bag or TTS Tie & Blazer badge
• - Travel to International events (expenses paid)

Requirements:

• - Pass in National Umpires practical Exam (once)
• - Pass in National Umpires written paper (once)
• - Pass in International Umpires written paper (once)
• - Attendance at annual TTS Umpires' seminar
• - Umpire/referee at at least four TTS event (Assessments, Opens, National Championships)
• - Keep a record of events umpired at.

Level B:

Benefits:

• - [Free Umpire Qualification]
• - Free TTS Membership
• - Free Umpire Shirt (with TTScotland or Name)
• - Free access to further umpiring courses + Rules books
• - Travel to National events (expenses paid)

Requirements:

• - Pass in National Umpires practical Exam (once)
• - Pass in National Umpires written paper (once)
• - Attendance at annual TTS Umpires' seminar
• - Umpire/referee at at least three TTS event (Assessments, Opens, National Championships)
• - Keep a record of events umpired at.

If you have any questions regarding umpiring in Scotland, please email Stewart McGowan 

Sample umpire Test paper can be downloaded below

Download the Sample Umpire Written Exam/Test here.