International Umpires Exam   Sanction for misbehabivour   Recruitment & Training  
Umpiring Standard   Proposals    Racket Test   Web Site   Highlights   Conclusion 

As we come to end of another season I am pleased to report that we have had a very good season. At this time of the year many of you will be going away for your annual holiday, be it at home or abroad, on behalf of Leinster Umpires Association I wish you and your family a very happy holiday. The association is grateful to Leinster Branch for their financial support during the last season.

It is my privilege to report back to you some of activities of our association during the last season:

I am pleased to report that three of our National Umpires set for the International Umpires Examination. I am quite confident that they will be successful. I am hoping to have some other County Umpires sitting for the National Umpires Examination in early next season.

Leinster Umpires Association feels that some actions ought to be taken against those players who misbehaves repeatedly, on court, to maintain discipline in sport, in addition to those allowed under Ittf Regulation. A decision was made during the Agm of 2007 to maintain a register of players who misbehaved during the tournaments on various grounds. The register is now ready and a report will be submitted to the appropriate authority for necessary action.

We are happy with the improvement of our junior players, as far as their behaivour is concerned. This is an area where we focused our attention during the last years. I have no doubt that the management of Leinster Branch and Itta would have noticed the improvement. There is still room for further improvement. We have a plan of action in hand.

Recruitment and training of umpires are areas where we have to focus during the next season. Urgent action is required for recruitment and training of umpires.This is one of the area that has been neglected during the past many years. The association has a programme in place for further development.

As far as the standard of umpiring is concerned the association is quite happy with the progress. One of the most important part of umpiring is practical experience at junior and senior level. A small number of International Umpires have been in Europe and Asia gaining valuable experience. We should consider sending some of our National Umpires to UK for gaining experience at different level, possibly, with the junior national teams. The Association ought to organise refreshers course for umpires, and, set up procedures for on-going discussions to improve standard of umpiring. The purpose of course would be highlighting areas where improvement is required.

With the new management team in place, the association has submitted a number of proposals to Itta for consideration. One of the proposal is to set up a National Umpires Association. The Association understands that the proposal is under circulation to all provincial branches for their comments.

The association has received a racket testing machine (Enez). According to Ittf, no gule should be used for attaching rubber on racket blades which contains Volatile Compound(VC). The machine is capable of detecting any substance that contains VC. From 1st September, 2008 the restriction applies to all senior events as well.

Our web site is attracting more viewers over the last few years. We seems to be having more viewers from United States of America than any other countries. Amongst the viewers, the top ten countries are as fillows :
USA, Ireland, UK, Austria, Norway, Australia, China, Canada, Germany and South Africa.

Our web site can be accessed at http://www.ittua.com

The association provided umpires for every tournaments held in Leinster.

I would like to report some of the other highlights of last season :

• ETTU Cup – Countries taking part are:
  UCD, Dublin, Ireland; Clube Desportivo, Portugal; Nord Donetsk, Ukraine; Marcozzi Cagliari, Italy.
• 6 Nations Championship - Countries taking part are:
  England, Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Wales.
• Special Olympics -
  Kiron Choudhury and Joe Finnegan represented Irish Table Tennis Association in Special Olympics Summer Games 2007 in Shanghai as Table Tennis Officials.
• Junior British League – 9th and 10th February, 2008.
  Wolverhampton, England.
• Luxembourg Open – 19th to 22nd March, 2008.
  Luxembourg.
• Pioneer Table Tennis Club - 10th April, 2008
  Dublin

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone for their cooperation and support during the last season.
I look forward to working with you in the coming season.

Date : 22^nd May 2008
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