A Message from the CEO

2020 was undoubtedly a year like no other. We saw many of our original plans pushed aside and contingency planning becoming the norm. Yet despite the challenges faced across the sport, we were still able to deliver plenty of positive outcomes and we are well placed as we head into 2021.

From a TTA perspective, it has been pleasing to reflect back on some of the major highlights, such as:

Finance and Resources:

• Becoming debt-free in February, capping off a remarkable financial turnaround which saw $649,000 of debt inherited from the previous Board and Administration cleared in less than 2.5 years and 10-months ahead of schedule. Pleasingly, this turnaround occurred without a Government bailout or Government loan. Subsequently, TTA is now establishing cash reserves and it’s anticipated that another surplus will be announced when the 2020 Financial Report is released in the coming months.
• Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, TTA did not have any staff cuts, hours cuts or salary reductions. In fact, TTA expanded our staffing levels from 6.5 FTE to 10 FTE throughout 2020. All TTA staff performed admirably throughout the year under very difficult circumstances. Moreover, we have world renowned coach Eva Jeler joining TTA in January. TTA is not aware of any other National Sporting Organisations with a comparable record.

High Performance:

• We kicked the year off with the Stage 2 Australian Qualification Tournament for the 2020 Olympic Games. The high class event saw Michelle Bromley, Stephanie Sang, Chris Yan and David Powell book their tickets to Tokyo. The event also set many new records from a viewership perspective.
• The 2020 National Hopes Week & Challenge saw record numbers attending and subsequently the TTA National Hopes Squad was established for the first time, providing the first step on the high performance pathway for a talented crop of youngsters.
• Our National Team cleaned up with six medals, including three gold, at the 2020 Spain Para Open.
• Nicholas Lum and Finn Luu enjoyed a very successful European Tour, winning seven medals between them across three international events.
• We announced a record 11 athletes have qualified for the Tokyo Paralympic Games and there’s a chance that our team size could grow further.

Participation & Development:

• The formal launch of our new entry level program, Spinneroos, took place with programs getting underway at clubs/associations around Australia in term 3 and term 4.
• Our Sporting Schools participation rates hit an all-time high, with more than 23,000 school children being engaged in the program throughout the year.
• In its third year of operation, the TTA Equipment & Facilities Grants Program injected nearly $80,000 of equipment and facilities into 12 clubs/associations around Australia.
• We have established multiple programs with hospitals and rehabilitation centres, aimed at creating more opportunities for people with a disability to participate in table tennis and transition into ongoing participation.
• In its third year of operation, the National Volunteer Awards Program recognised 12 hard working and long serving volunteers, with Rosanna Horn OAM taking out the overall prize as the Bev and Brian James Trophy winner as the Australian Volunteer of the Year.

Recognition Initiatives:

• Undertook the Official Australian Representatives project which identified every player who has represented Australia at senior level in able-bodied competitions, including identifying the complete career record for each athlete. We are working on an equivalent para project and hope to have it completed in the near future.
• Awarded Life Membership to arguably the greatest ever Australian player, Suzy Javor.
• Inducted six icons of Australian table tennis into the TTA Hall of Fame. Namely, Eric Coster (Coaches), Bob Tuckett and Miao Miao (Athlete – Open), plus Neil Harwood OAM, Glenn Tepper and Steve Dainton (Administrators).

And the list goes on. Looking ahead to 2021, as a sport we are well placed to continue our COVID-19 recovery and get back to some kind of normality, albeit under continuously evolving circumstances.

I offer sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to our great sport throughout the year; your contribution is both recognised and appreciated. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. Here’s to a successful 2021!

Best regards,
Scott Houston
TTA Chief Executive Officer