SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS ANNOUNCED - EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES GRANT PROGRAM

TTA is pleased to announce that the inaugural Equipment and Facilities Grants Program recipients have been determined for 2018. More than 30 applications were received from all States and Territories and the quality of applications was very impressive.

Almost $68,000 worth of equipment and facilities will now be injected into clubs/associations, which takes into consideration both the TTA contribution and at least 50% matched funding from each club/association.

All successful applicants were able to demonstrate that their project will lead to an increase in participation, development of the sport, increased sustainability of the sport in their local area, clearly identify the benefits on offer, represent good value for money and generate a strong return on investment. Pleasingly, there is a solid mix of both metropolitan and regional grant recipients from across the country.

Congratulations to the successful applicants for 2018 (in alphabetical order):
· Brisbane Table Tennis Association (Queensland): Tables, barriers and nets to support the formation of a new garage league and assist with the development of satellite programs in the local area.
· Bundaberg and District Table Tennis Association (Queensland): Major works to upgrade the roof at the stadium, which will enable weather proofing to allow flooring obtained from the recent Commonwealth Games to be utilised without damage.
· Darwin Table Tennis Association (Northern Territory): New equipment to enable come and try participants to be converted to ongoing participants.
· Esperance Table Tennis Club (Western Australia): Increase the number of tables available at the club to generate more participation opportunities for the local community.
· Gisborne and Districts Table Tennis Association (Victoria): Increase the number of tables available at the association to generate more participation opportunities for the local community.
· Great Southern Table Tennis Association (South Australia): Purchase of a robot ball machine that will be used for training for existing players and as a tool to generate new players in the local community.
· Horsham Table Tennis Association (Victoria): Major works to bring a recently purchased stand-alone venue up to standard to enable competition and practice to commence and provide a permanent venue for the local community.
· Illawarra District Table Tennis Association (New South Wales): Replacement of existing tables that will also be used for their annual ‘Fast 3’ tournament.
· North Lakes Table Tennis Association (Queensland): Purchase of a trailer and equipment to enable ‘pop up’ sessions to be held in the local area, with a primary focus on attracting new junior players to the club.
· Sydney Northern Districts Table Tennis Association (New South Wales): Replacement of existing tables at Manly Vale Community Centre, with a primary focus on attracting new players from the local area and converting them into ongoing participants.
· Table Tennis ACT (Australian Capital Territory): Major works to upgrade existing venue to ensure they are of an appropriate and modern standard.

TTA was delighted with the response to the program and we look forward to growing the program further and supporting more local initiatives in 2019 and beyond. Congratulations again to all successful applicants for 2018, and with improved equipment and facilities around Australia resulting from the program, table tennis is certainly the real winner.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION:
- Graham Symons, TTA Board Member, is directly involved with Darwin Table Tennis Association.
- Jamie Olsen, TTA Board Member, is indirectly involved with Brisbane Table Tennis Association.
- Dave Delpratt, TTA Umpires and Referees Committee Member, is directly involved with Bundaberg and Districts Table Tennis Association.
- Anthony Jeffress, TTA Board Member, is directly involved with a club/association that was unsuccessful in receiving a grant.
- Graham Ireland, TTA Umpires and Referees Committee Member, is indirectly involved with a club/association that was unsuccessful in receiving a grant.
- Scott Houston, TTA CEO, is indirectly involved with a club/association that was unsuccessful in receiving a grant.

NOTE: Given the process of assessing grant applications is operational in nature, the TTA Board and all TTA Board Sub-Committees have no decision-making authority or visibility of the decisions until they have been made. Assessment of all applications was undertaken by Scott Edgecombe, TTA Participation and Development Coordinator, and Scott Houston, TTA CEO, according to the Eligibility Checklist, Application Criteria, Funding Guidelines and Terms and Conditions previously published on the TTA website in the Equipment and Facilities Grant Program Guidelines.