Thank You and Farewell - Scott Houston Departs as TTA CEO

As indicated at the beginning of the month, I have decided to step down as TTA CEO, with my last day being Tuesday 30 May 2023. In recent weeks I have been reflecting on my nearly six years in the role, with my thoughts summarised below.

The Unintended CEO
It was not my intention to become the TTA CEO, as at the time I was happily working in a great team at the South Australian Cricket Association. Originally I wanted to contribute to TTA by joining the TTA Board, which I did after successfully being elected at the 2017 TTA AGM. However, not long after joining the TTA Board, issues that had been mooted became abundantly apparent as it emerged that TTA was $649,000 in debt and six weeks away from bankruptcy.

At this time the TTA CEO position became vacant. Over the course of three days while sitting at my kitchen table, I wrote a 44-point plan under 10 separate headings that could be used to help TTA to survive and then help TTA to thrive. I applied to become TTA CEO and was fortunate enough to be offered the position, which I accepted on the proviso I could implement my plan.

In September 2017, I started as the TTA CEO as a 33-year old with no prior CEO experience. In my favour was I had nearly 20 years in the sport as a player, I had served on numerous TTA Sub-Committees and appointed positions over a seven year period, plus I had completed tertiary and post graduate qualifications; all of which provided a great foundation. Above all that, it was a passion for the sport as a lifelong table tennis person, plus a desire give back to the sport that has given me so much that drove me.

Now after nearly six years, my time as TTA CEO comes to an end. It has been an incredible journey and I am so fortunate to have had this opportunity. I will be forever indebted to the sport and I leave with the fondest of memories.

Board and Staff
A CEO is only as good as the Board they report to. Throughout my tenure I have served under four TTA Presidents and 20 TTA Board Members. The TTA Board has always provided full support, backed me in to get the job done, stayed out of operational matters, and treated me with fairness and respect. I will always be grateful for this. It is no coincidence that TTA’s upwards trajectory in recent years has coincided with the implementation of a skills-based and diverse Board who have always sought to advance Australian table tennis by operating in a collegiate fashion, with an emphasis on strong governance and oversight.

Likewise, a CEO is only as good as the staff in their organisation. TTA is truly blessed to have staff who are highly skilled, have table tennis at heart, are passionate about their jobs and are willing to go above and beyond. We have always worked hard to support each other, and together we have been able to take TTA to new heights.

Achievements
Throughout my tenure I have unashamedly and relentlessly pursued results that are quantifiable and tangible in nature. With the support of the TTA Board and in collaboration with the TTA staff, the achievements I am most proud of are:

1. Best ever results were achieved at the 2020 Paralympic Games (6 x medals), 2022 Commonwealth Games (6 x medals, 2 x 4^th place), 2022 World Para Championships (6 x medals, 1 x 4^th place), 2022 World Youth Championships (2 x medals, 2 x quarter finals), 2022 ITTF-Oceania Championships (28 out of 28 gold medals, 67 medals overall).
2. More than 200 medals have been secured at international events in the past five years.
3. Australia’s best ever world rankings have been achieved, with 5 x top 10 world ranked players (para), 3 x top 50 and 7 x top 100 world ranked players (senior), and 3 x top 10 world ranked players (junior).
4. The National Hopes and Talent ID Program has been developed and embedded with more than 200 players participating annually, constantly topping up the talent pipeline.
5. The Para Pathways Program has been developed and embedded, which is identifying the next generation of para athletes.
6. The 100,000 annual participants mark was reached for the first time in 2018, and by 2022 participation doubled to exceed 200,000.
7. Membership of more than 10,000 members was maintained each year (except for the COVID-19 impacted year in 2020).
8. The National Equipment & Facilities Grant Program was developed and rolled out. $540,000 worth of equipment and facilities have been injected into 85 clubs/associations from all States/Territories over six years.
9. The National Volunteer Awards Program was developed and rolled out. 65 of our longest serving and hardest working volunteers have been recognised over five years.
10. 23 National Events have been delivered, which have provided unprecedented opportunities for players, coaches, officials, administrators, volunteers and fans to engage on the national level.
11. The TTA Tour has been taken from a preliminary concept to a fully embedded part of the national events calendar.
12. The TTA Hall of Fame was relaunched and expanded, with 20 new inductees over the past four years. Additionally, TTA Life Membership was bestowed upon five of the greatest contributors to Australian table tennis.
13. The Official Australian Representatives project was undertaken, which identified every player who has represented Australia at senior level (able-bodied and para) and captured the career record of each player.
14. MOU’s were established with most State/Territory Associations, which fostered improved relations and allowed TTA to provide funding to these States/Territories for the first time.
15. A national database was established for the first time, streamlining membership and operations.
16. State/Territory Strategic Plans were aligned with TTA’s Strategic Plan, ensuring a unified strategic approach is in place across the sport for the first time.
17. The Officials Development Fund was launched, which has assisted Officials to progress through the officiating pathway.
18. TTA’s social media followers and coverage has more than doubled and national events have been viewed by more than 220,000 people from more than 40 countries, meaning we’re reaching more people, more often with relevant content.
19. TTA has maintained one of the best governance ratings out of all sports through the Australian Sports Commission Governance Ratings.
20. TTA’s financial position has never been stronger. Over a five year period we have gone from $649,000 in debt to $643,000 in cash reserves, five consecutive net surplus results have been delivered, total annual revenue has nearly tripled, reliance on Government funding has decreased, and many new sustainable revenue sources have been embedded.

The Players
Our national squad members (able-bodied and para) are phenomenal, driving Australian performances on the international stage to new heights. Their work ethic and desire to improve are second to none, but above all that they’re great people. Our players are exceptionally supported by their families, which is both acknowledged and appreciated. This combination has resulted in outstanding results, an outstanding culture, and national teams that the Australian table tennis community can be proud of.

State and Territory Associations
TTA and most other sports operate under a Federated Model, whereby State/Territory Associations are members of the National Sporting Organisation. Throughout my tenure, there have been 18 State/Territory President’s and nearly 200 State/Territory Board Members. The model can at times provide challenges, however TTA has enjoyed majority support from our State/Territory Associations over the past five years. This is a luxury in comparison to many other sports. The work that most parties have put into strengthening relationships has undoubtedly been beneficial for the health of the sport overall. It is clear the underlying theme is a willingness to help each other maximise the finite resources available across Australian table tennis and the increased sense of unity can only be a good thing.

The Best of People and the Worst of People
Australian table tennis is a tight-knit community and throughout my tenure I’ve been able to witness how people engage with the sport across a full spectrum.

In the absolute vast majority of cases, people engage in a positive fashion. Whether someone is involved as a player, coach, official, administrator, volunteer, sponsor, fan, member or parent, people want nothing but the best for the sport and they’re happy to play their part to enable this. This is one of the biggest strengths of Australian table tennis and the sport is better for it.

However, a very small percentage of people do not seek to engage in a positive fashion. Some do this publicly, but more common are those who seek to work behind the scenes, driving personal agendas that lack bigger picture thinking. The amount of time and effort required to ensure non-issues don’t become issues and that these people are kept at bay is extraordinarily disproportionate to the benefit for the sport. Over the years this has proven to be a tiresome exercise.

Going Out on Top and on My Own Terms
The churn rate of CEO’s at National Sporting Organisations is far too high, for a number of different reasons. I am proud that I have lasted for nearly six years, that I can go out on my own terms and while TTA is in great shape. This has only been possible because I have been fortunate to receive the full support of many people at all levels throughout my tenure. There are too many people to thank individually, but those people who have helped and supported me know who they are and I will be forever grateful.

When I announced I was stepping down I was truly overwhelmed by the number of people who reached out and made contact. I would rather go out too early than too late and I am comfortable this is the right time to depart.

My Legacy
It is not for me to decide whether I have done a good job or not. My only wish is that people will remember me as a CEO who tried his best for the sport, who always sought to make the best possible decisions even if at times they weren’t the most popular decisions, and who always fought hard to lift Australian table tennis to greater heights.

My Family
It is impossible for a National Sporting Organisation CEO to do the job well without the support of their family. In my case, my wife Becky and my sons Billy and Henry have been by my side every step of the way. I’ve travelled far too much, worked far too many long days and been fully consumed by the role far too often. However, my family have always been there for me and have underpinned any success that I have achieved. I look forward to being more present for my family moving forward.

Influences on my Table Tennis Journey
I have been involved in table tennis for 25 years. Looking back, there are five people who have significantly influenced my time in the sport. I would like to acknowledge and thank the following people:

1. Maurice Quinn: The first time I walked into a table tennis venue was in 1998 when I started playing Friday Night Juniors at Southern Table Tennis Association in Adelaide. Maurice was the club coach and organised the competition; he ensured I was welcomed into the club and had a positive first experience in the sport. This proved to be a pivotal and life changing moment as it led to me wanting to keep playing, and the rest is history.
2. Steve Dainton: Cricket was my main sport until I was 16 years old, but it was Steve who helped to change this. I first met Steve when he was a 21 year old coach and I was a 14 year old player in Adelaide. Steve taught me to love table tennis and under his tutelage I went from being a near beginner to being a national junior team member. Over the ensuing years Steve has assisted me significantly, from helping me to obtain my first job as ITTF-Oceania Development Officer, right through to being a trusted advisor today. If anyone had said way back in the late 1990’s that Steve would end up as ITTF CEO and I would end up as TTA CEO, we both would have been rather surprised.
3. John Matovinovic: John was my coach from when I was 17 to 24 years old and under his guidance I eventually made it to the senior national team. However, John was far more than a coach and he taught me (and all his players over many generations) life skills through table tennis. I spent time with John nearly every day during that period and it is doubtless that John was my biggest influence in my formative years and he helped me navigate some difficult times. Even today, John is only a phone call away and always has good advice to offer.
4. Glenn Tepper: My first job after I stopped playing table tennis full-time was as ITTF-Oceania Development Officer. Glenn was the person who gave me the opportunity and was my manager for the three years I was in the role. It is said that your first manager has a big influence on the rest of your career and that was definitely the case with Glenn. Glenn always found the perfect balance of providing guidance when needed and providing freedom to learn by creating your own experiences. I have always sought to replicate this with all staff and teams that I have managed.
5. Ian McGregor: I first met Ian when we played against each other when I was a junior player in Adelaide. Ian was a very successful businessman and has mentored countless aspiring professionals to reach their potential. Ian personally mentored me in the years prior to becoming TTA CEO. I met with Ian monthly where he would pass on his skills, knowledge and experience, and guide me in the right direction. This provided me with the confidence needed to aim higher. Even today Ian is a source of wise counsel whenever it’s required.

What’s Next
My next role will be as Chief Operating Officer at Business Events Adelaide. I am excited about my new role and I am looking forward to a fresh challenge and opportunity.

However, I won’t be lost to table tennis completely. I will still serve in my elected positions on the ITTF Council and the ITTF-Oceania Management Committee. Plus I will be a big supporter of Australian players from the grandstand and TTA from the sidelines. I may even consider playing some veterans tournaments in the future.

Thank You and Farewell
It has been a true honour and privilege to serve as TTA CEO for nearly six years. I will look back on my journey with pride and with only positive memories. What a ride it has been.

Thank you and farewell.

Scott Houston
Chief Executive Officer
Table Tennis Australia Ltd.