Bev and Brian James to be Honoured at TTA Volunteer Awards Ceremony

Two of the longest serving and hardest working volunteers in the Australian table tennis community, Bev and Brian James, are set to be honoured at the upcoming TTA Volunteer Awards Ceremony. The National Volunteer of the Year Award, which is the highest accolade that can bestowed upon a volunteer by TTA, will be known as the Bev and Brian James Trophy.

Having a national award named in their honour is a fitting reward for Bev and Brian, who both exemplify volunteerism. They have been a mainstay as Tournament Controllers of the National Veterans Championships for more than 25 years, which is the largest national event on the TTA calendar. Moreover, this year they have expanded their national championships volunteering, serving as Tournament Controllers for the National Para Championships, National Senior & Youth Championships and National Junior Championships. Other notable volunteering achievements include formerly being Tournament Controllers of the 2014 World Veterans Championships in New Zealand, multiple Arafura Games and the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. At a local level, Bev and Brian served on the Committee of their local club for more than 30 years.

TTA CEO Scott Houston commented, ‘TTA thoroughly appreciates the tireless service that Bev and Brian have provided to table tennis over a very long period of time. They would both be worthy candidates to be named as Volunteer of the Year on merit alone, however through the quality and quantity of volunteering they have undertaken, the TTA Board and I felt naming the Volunteer of the Year Award in their honour provides more appropriate recognition. At a time when Bev and Brian would be well within their rights to scale back their involvement, they are contributing more at a national level than ever before. Moreover, Bev and Brian undertake multiple other volunteer roles outside of table tennis; they truly are champions of volunteerism.’

The 2019 National Volunteer Awards Ceremony will take place at 8.00pm ACDT on Saturday 12 October 2019 at the St. Clair Recreation Centre in Adelaide, coinciding with the first day of the 2019 National Veterans Championships. Awards to be presented include the Fran Keyhoe Official of the Year, TTA Young Official of the Year, Club/Association of the Year, Administrator of the Year, 25 Years of Service to Table Tennis and 50 Years of Service to Table Tennis. An overall winner from all categories will win the Bev and Brian James Trophy as the 2019 Volunteer of the Year. 

Upon being notified, Bev and Brian commented ‘we are extremely honoured and humbled to be recognised by TTA in having the National Volunteer of the Year Award named after us. Volunteering is a big part of our lives, which makes this Award even more special. The Veterans Community has always embraced us and to have the Award first presented in our home city of Adelaide is the icing on the cake.’

Congratulations Bev and Brian, you are both most worthy recipients of such a prestigious honour.