It was really good to see our young players playing at last weekend's Inter League at Largs against players from all across Scotland. The highest level that most of them have thus far competed at.
At the moment, we have several players who are already showing signs of having the potential to become stars of the future. Although as a whole, we have some catching up to do. I know that some have voiced their disappointment at the gap between the top players and some of our youngsters.
If you'll indulge me, I would like to give everyone some food for thought.
Firstly, I know that some players do not wish to progress any further than recreational play and that is absolutely fine. Our aim should always be to promote the playing of the game at all levels so that it is enjoyed by an ever increasing number of people of all ages and of any standard. We do however have a parallel aim which is to promote excellence in the sport. Which means even at this embryonic stage of the ATTA's development, we should and will strive for our players to eventually become competitors at the highest levels.
Although because I was competing in the event, I was not able to pay too much attention to our youngsters' performances at the weekend, one thing was blatantly apparent. The ATTA players who were most successful, were those who have put the hours in, week in, week out in constructive practice, usually with a dedicated coach. I congratulate them, their parents and their coaches.
Here's the rub: Most of our players departed the arena once their team was eliminated. Yet to a man, we always complain that our young players don't get enough table time. It was an eye-opener to see many of the players from Drumchapel Scotland's most successful club) seizing the opportunity to continue practicing on the ever-increasing number of spare tables as Sunday's events progressed. We paid to enter the tournament, there were free tables, but on the whole we failed to grasp an opportunity for some free practice time. I know that the players were tired, but to improve, they have to push the envelope in the same way that their competitors unflinchingly do. That said, I do accept that it was a Sunday and families do have other commitments.
One other thing I would like to add, is that the finals of the senior competitions were well-worth watching. A missed opportunity (for most) of our youngsters to experience and be inches away from true blood-and-guts, highly skilful competition and learn important lessons on how much effort they will have to apply to their games and competitive matches, in order to improve over the coming years. I was a little disappointed that there weren't more of them there to take in the tension and atmosphere and see the game played at its excellent best.
To summarise: Success is and always will be directionally proportional to how much time, effort and dedication that players, coaches and indeed parents are willing to apply. Nobody in Scotland, the UK, Europe or the World is born a champion. All champions have stayed that extra hour, run that extra mile and sacrificed some comfortable aspect of their lives in order to get where they are. It's the players' free choice. But we have to let them know that if they want to be good at the game, they have to put as much time and effort into it as they can spare and grasp every opportunity to play and learn.
Thank you for your indulgence.
Kind regards,
Roy
Chairman ATTA
