Stephen Gillespie and Kameron Chan win 2017 Official of the Year Awards

The TTA Umpires and Referees Committee are pleased to announce that Stephen Gillespiee (NSW) has been named as the 2017 Fran Keyhoe Official of the Year and Kameron Chan (Victoria) has been named as the 2017 Young Official of the Year.

Gillespie, who holds both International Umpire and National Referee accreditations has been a long-time contributor as an Official at international, national, state and local events. Throughout 2017 he umpired at both the Oceania Championships in Fiji and ITTF World Junior Circuit Event on the Gold Coast and was Referee for the Fiji Open. He was also Referee for the Australian Junior Championships and Deputy Referee for the Australian Veterans Championships. The scope of Gillespie’s contribution extends even further; he also fulfills the role of Secretary of the TTNSW Umpires and Referees Committee, he conducted Umpire Training in Fiji and inputs all results from all TTNSW tournaments. Gillespie’s announcement as the Fran Keyhoe Official of the Year is worthy recognition for a stellar contribution over multiple years and in particular a very busy and fruitful 2017.

Chan, a Nationally accredited Umpire, is quickly making his mark in Official ranks. Throughout 2017 he umpired at the ITTF Australian Open World Tour, the Australasian Veterans Championships, the Victorian Closed Senior Championships, the Victorian Open Junior Championships and at the Corporate Games. He was Referee at the Yarrawonga Senior and Junior Championships and the Kilsyth Senior and Junior Championships. Off the table, Chan is also a regular contributor at meetings for the Victorian Table Tennis Umpires League. Chan is a well deserving winner of the Young Official of the Year and no doubt we’ll see him continue to progress through the ranks in the coming years.

Our Officials are a crucial element of our sport, yet at times they may not get the recognition they deserve. Awards such as these provide the ideal mechanism to provide acknowledgement and appreciation. We strongly encourage anyone who’s considering becoming an Official to start their journey. There are great opportunities to have the best seat in the house at the biggest competitions, travel all over the world and make great friendships along the way. For further information about becoming an Official, please click on the following link: https://www.tabletennis.org.au/development/how-to-become-an-official/

Gillespie and Chan will be presented with their awards in front of their peers at the upcoming Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Congratulations Stephen and Kameron.