For the first time in their very long history, Sunderland and District Table Tennis Association, had competitors in the National Under 10/11 and 12 Table Tennis Championships which was organised by the ETTA and supported by Halton Borough Council.

These events were held over two days at Kingsway Leisure Centre at Widnes, and virtually all the leading young players in England competed in the various events.

Anthony Barella, who plays for Redby CA competed in the Under-11 competition and did very well, getting through the earlier rounds before losing in the quarter-final stage of the competition.

Graeme Barella who also plays for Redby CA competed in both the Under-10 and also the Under-11 competitions, and like his brother exceeded all expectations by also not only reaching the quarter final stage of the Under-10s but also the Under-11 age group. Bearing in mind that Graeme is still only eight years old, and as both have only been playing table tennis for some two years theses are excellent results, and is a further demonstration of the progress of the young players in major national competitions. This is the 12th year that the ETTA have held National Championships for these age groups and is a further indication that the ETTA are actively promoting table tennis at all age levels, in their endeavour not only to win major international championships but also in the development at grass roots level.

The winners were Girls: (under 10) Jessica, Macken (Essex), (under 11) Emma Vickers (Derby), (under 12) Lauren Springthorpe* (Lincolnshire). Boys: (under 16) Gavin Evans (Nottingham), (under 11) Gavin Evans (Nottingham), (under 12) Paul Drinkhall* Cleveland). * Both players have represented

England during the year 2001/2002.

Annual general meetings: At the recent A.G.M. of the Association, all of the outgoing Officers' and the Executive Committee were elected for a further year.

There were a number of changes agreed to our Constitution, the main and certainly the one that has created the most debate not only within the players at Sunderland, but also throughout England, was changing our local league competition, from 21 up best of three games to the new international scoring system, whereby each game will be 11 up and a set will be best of five games. This change was passed by the required two thirds majority, but it was close, as at the final count, it would only have taken a couple of additional votes to go against the motion, for it not to receive the necessary majority for approval. This new scoring system will start in our league for the 2002/2003 season, and follows it being used for the first time in our Closed Championships in March 2002.

At the AGM of the Sunderland and District Table Tennis Club there were no changes to the Constitution however there were a number of changes to the Management Committee, as some Members decided due to various other commitments, they could not put their names forward for another year. The committee for 2002/2003 is the three newly elected members i.e. Susan Heptinstall as Treasurer, with Valerie Barella and Kevin Wilson as the two other elected members, with David Bissett, Bernie Morris and Mike Wilson remaining in the positions that they held for the year 2001/2002