MUIR OF ORD PENSIONERS' TABLE TENNIS HANDBOOK

MEMBERS INFORMATION

Introduction

Muir of Ord Pensioners Table Tennis play for FUN. We started playing on Tuesdays in January 2014 with two table tennis tables and a newly formed membership of 16 players most of whom had not held a table tennis bat since their school days. By December 2018 we had four table tennis tables, a membership of 40, and a waiting list of 8 who were facing the reality of a very long wait as very few people left. In January 2019 we decided to open for a second session on Fridays and there has been a reasonable take up of membership places with some way to go before Friday costs are fully covered.The organisation is run by the members for the members via a Management Committee elected by the membership at an Annual General Meeting usually held in September / October each year. Any profit that is made is used to benefit the membership and nobody receives any payment.

Aims and Purpose

We are a friendly and informal organisation and welcome players of all abilities, from beginners to Olympic champions. We intend to provide enjoyment, improvement, healthy activity, good company and FUN! We try to balance the needs of the more serious player with those of the beginner or person playing for fun. Our weekly programme is intended to reflect this with no leagues or teams and only the very occasional optional competition. We cater for a wide range of ability so if you are new to the game or not a particularly strong player you will not find yourself out of your comfort zone. Similarly if you are the ultra competitive, blast them off the planet, unable-to-control-your aggression type of player it might just be that you would be better suited to destroying the confidence of your grandchildren in a game of Monopoly than annoying the members. Both beginners and world champions are very welcome and there is time to rest between games or when you need it.

'Rusty Players and Beginners'

Although we have no qualified coaches amongst our membership we will give you every help and encouragement to get going with some individual tuition, practice, and help with understanding the rules of the game. Starting as a complete beginner once you have learnt to serve, and to rally (hit it back), then in a few weeks you will have learnt enough for you to enjoy the game and will progress at your own speed. Do not fear if you do not progress at the same rate as others, it's not a race and you will get the hang of it.

Membership Eligibility and Fees (@ December 2019)

You need to be 50 or over and wealthy enough to afford the annual membership of £5 and the weekly subscription of £2.00. In return we will ensure you have FUN, meet some very nice people, and enjoy yourself – that's a promise, and it's why we have been successful to date. Your first session is free with all equipment provided so get in touch and come and see what you have been missing. Don't leave it until you have to put your name on a waiting list. Membership can be taken out at any time (subject to availability) however members are expected to renew their annual membership within one calender month of the start of the season in early September each year. Arrangements can be made to cover special circumstances however failure to renew without having made special arrangements may mean loss of membership.

When and Where

We play on Tuesdays and on Fridays from 2pm to 4pm during the winter months (usually from the start of September to the end of March) at the Free Church Hall, West Road, Muir of Ord.

Personal Equipment

Initially we will loan you a table tennis bat with the expectation that you purchase a bat of your own (about £5 to £10). A pair of trainers, plimsols, or non-slip flat soled shoes are suitable to play in. Initially temporary name badges are provided (and expected to be worn) for the benefit of all. Eventually the temporary badges will be replaced by a better manufactured badge.

Club Equipment

We have four modern table tennis tables all of which are normally in use. Sometimes the number of tables will be reduced in order to manage the number of members present and provide an opportunity to rest between games. We provide all the table tennis balls and stock a collection of bats which can be used by players prior to purchasing their own. We usually have some new bats which are available to purchase (£5).

Refreshments

We tried a tea break but it didn’t work, so if you wish you may bring a drink of your own or access water in the kitchen.

Use of Premises – store, kitchen, cloakroom/changing room

Members should use the small meeting room off the main hall to change footwear and store bags, coats etc. With the exception of a drink please do not take your belongings into the main hall. Toilets are available off the porch, and water is available in the kitchen – please wash up after use. Please remember that the premises belong to the church and you are requested not to shout at God demanding help in winning your matches, or suggest that he improves your ability to hit the ball, as, in the great scheme of things, he has more important things to worry about. Neither should you ask God to send a plague of locusts to consume your opponent!

Start of a Typical Session

On arrival you are expected to sign (PRINT) your name on the sheet by the door and put your subscription in the tin, collect your badge then put your belongings in the small meeting room. If all the tables and chairs are not out (they usually are) please help to get the hall ready. The modern tables we use simply fold up (complete with net) and are wheeled away in less than a minute. When the hall is ready find a partner and knock-up (warm-up) for a few minutes giving way if there are others who may be waiting. Please do not hog the knock-up session – everyone should get a few minutes at the table. At 2pm the session leader will call all members to sit and listen to any news, tell at least one joke that only he understands and then organise the start of the session by allocating players to tables by a numbering system which defies all logic. (So I'm told.) A typical session will be 1 hour singles then 1 hour doubles however there may be variations on this.

Play – Rotation of Partners and Opponents (singles) (doubles)

We play a rotation system which means that you get to play lots of different members. Some will be better players than you and some will be less able than you. In the main you will spend most of your time playing against players of a similar ability to yourself. The rotation system sometimes goes awry but it has worked well for five years and proved popular with most members. We use the same rotation system for both singles and doubles with an additional rule in doubles that 'so far as possible' you play with a different partner each game. At the end of every game you are expected to shake hands with your opponent(s) rather than throttling them which we have found reduces our attendance figures. Normally in a singles mixed sex game the lady is invited to serve first. (This may be deemed sexist however the writer interprets this as a sign of good manners and should anyone wish to pursue this matter through the courts he is quite happy to go to prison and get away from the grand children for a while.)

Scoring Singles and Doubles

Everyone should try to learn how to score and to help in keeping track of whose turn it is to serve. Point scoring is best explained at the table and for those unfamiliar with scoring there will be an explanation at their first session.

In SINGLES serves are taken two at at time and then the serve passes to your opponent who has two serves and then back to you and so on…….

In DOUBLES serves are taken two at a time then the serve passes to your opponent(s) and you change places with your partner and then repeat…..

The first player(s) to reach eleven points is the winner for both singles and doubles. Don't worry, scoring and serving is best explained at the table!

(Truth be told…….after an hour and a half most of us have lost the plot and have no idea what the score is or whose turn it is to serve!)

End of a Typical Session

Please help tidy up as appropriate

Taking a Break

You will get tired from time to time, so don't be afraid to sit out some games. This is best done when you reach a 'red chair' and staying put on the chair waving the next players through until you feel fit enough to rejoin. ('Red chairs' divide up the brown plastic chairs according to the number of table tennis tables.) Confused? – ask someone who knows, or enrol on the Highlands and Islands University Astrophysics course.

Health and Safety

Please familiarise yourself with the fire exits from the hall (the main entrance /exit door and the door adjacent to the kitchen door. A first aid box is kept in the kitchen and (hoping it’s never needed,) a defibrillator is mounted on the wall adjacent to the Co-op in the village. Please take extra care when playing and be aware of the people around you especially when playing doubles when you are in close proximity to your partner and consequently more cramped for space. If you are inclined to throw yourself about please make sure your brakes work!

Please ensure that you give the Group details of your emergency contact number.