| The English Table Tennis Association (ETTA) has been awarded a new tranche of funding by Sport England after it demonstrated that it had started the process of modernisation and change which was required.
A year ago the funding body withheld a significant amount of funds from the sport and only guaranteed a year - rather than four years - finance. The ETTA was one of only six sports who were effectively put on notice by Sport England to reform itself before further funds would be allocated to the sport.
ETTA’s new Chairman, Andy Seward, spearheaded the process of change by recruiting a new team and putting in place the foundations to create a table tennis national governing body, which was fit for the 21st century.
Today (January 23, 2014), table tennis and the ETTA received a vote of confidence from Sport England that it was back on the right track, as they announced future funding plans for the sport. This brings the security of a combination of three years funding for core costs and one year further investment in development and talent programmes, with the prospect of further funding if this progress continued.
ETTA’s CEO, Sara Sutcliffe welcomed the decision. She said: “This announcement gives us the security of being able to focus on longer term planning and not lurch from year to year in a financial vacuum.
“The past six months have been a major - and necessary - journey for the sport of table tennis. We reviewed every aspect of the way the sport was managed and operated. We knew that the future of table tennis in England depended on us getting it right - and getting it right first time.
“This announcement is a vote of confidence that we are on the right track. However, it is the start of a journey, not the end of it. Now we have some security to plan for the future and a clear mandate that we are on the right road.
” A tremendous amount of work and commitment from our staff, volunteers and Board members has taken place in the past six months. The foundation is in place for us to develop our sport at every level..from our top international players to our social players. “
The announcement was also tinged with sadness. The ETTA’s Chairman, Andy Seward, died suddenly last week. Sara paid tribute to his contribution. She added: “We all feel tremendous sadness that Andy is not here today to see the result of his considerable efforts.
” He had the vision for a new way of managing table tennis in England and did not shy away from making tough decisions for the good of the sport. Only a month ago, we made our presentation to Sport England, and at that time, Andy felt positive and excited about the future for table tennis. He knew when he took over the role, that there were targets and he wanted not just to hit them but to surpass them. Today is the evidence that he achieved that.
“Our job is now to continue to build on those plans and to continue to move table tennis forward.”
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