Gilbert and Tharmasuthan Headline Board Sub-Committee Appointments

Nominations for appointments/reappointments for multiple TTA Board Sub-Committee roles were considered at the TTA Board Meeting held this morning. TTA is pleased to advise that all positions have been filled, summarised as:

National Selection Panel
Andrew Gilbert has been appointed, effective immediately, filling Craig Hayes’ role who has stepped aside from the Panel. Gilbert is a former top 10 nationally ranked player who played professionally in Czech Republic, Sweden and China. Gilbert has established a significant corporate career over 25 years, primarily holding general manager and management level roles in the IT and banking industries. 

Panel Composition: Belgin Bennett (Independent Chairperson), Alois Rosario (National Head Coach – Para, for Para selections only), John Murphy (National Head Coach – Able-Bodied, for Able-Bodied selections only), Andrew Gilbert (TTA Board Appointed Member).

Finance, Risk & Audit Committee
Kamalesh Tharmasuthan has been appointed, effective immediately, filling a casual vacancy. Tharmasuthan is a former Australian champion and National Team representative at U/18 and U/21 level. Tharmasuthan is a Chartered Accountant and holds degrees in Accounting, Banking and Finance and over a 15 year career has worked in general manager and management level roles in risk and compliance.

Committee Composition: Craig Hayes (Chairperson, TTA Board Representative), Jarrod Thorn (Independent Member), Tony Aduckiewicz (Independent Member), Kamalesh Tharmasuthan (Independent Member).

National Umpires & Referees Committee
Sam Miller and Dr. Wing Au have been added to the Committee. Miller has won the TTA Young Official of the Year award on multiple occasions, while Au has officiated at multiple National Championships and has been involved in umpire education in South Australia.

Dave Delpratt and Fanny Ho are outgoing Committee members. TTA has written to both to thank them for their contribution to the Committee over many years. 

Committee Composition: Marie Pinkewich (Chairperson, TTA Board Representative), Alan Hopkins (Independent Member), Sam Miller (Independent Member), Dr. Wing Au (Independent Member).

National Advisory Panel
The sole change is that Caleb Crowden did not seek reappointment to the Panel. TTA has written to Caleb to thank him for his contribution to the Panel over the past two years. 

Committee Composition: Scott Houston (Chairperson), Jennifer Aduckiewicz and Brett Halocha (Veterans Representatives), Barak Mizrachi (Para Representative), Claire Montgomery (Junior Representative), William Henzell (Senior & Youth Representative).

Upon making the announcement TTA CEO, Scott Houston, commented "TTA is very pleased to welcome both Andrew Gilbert and Kamalesh Tharmasuthan back into the table tennis fold. Attracting people who have been outstanding athletes and then gone on to establish decorated corporate careers bodes well for the future and speak volumes for the progress TTA has made in recent years. Additionally, both Sam Miller and Dr. Wing Au will bring a fresh perspective, which is important as we look to achieve our officiating goals. Special mention to outgoing Committee/Panel members Dave Delpratt, Fanny Ho and Caleb Crowden - all of whom contributed strongly and gave their time voluntarily for the betterment of the sport, which is much appreciated".

TTA looks forward to providing further updates in due course as work is undertaken by each of the respective Committees/Panels.

To view all TTA Board Sub-Committees, please click here.