TTA signs Memorandum's of Understanding with five States/Territories

In a positive and significant step forward for the future of Australian table tennis, TTA is pleased to announce that we have signed Memorandum’s of Understanding (MOU’s) with five State/Territory Associations for 2021-22 – namely Table Tennis New South Wales, Table Tennis ACT, Table Tennis Tasmania, Table Tennis Northern Territory and Table Tennis Western Australia.

The MOU’s aim to promote stronger collaboration in achieving common goals based on a foundation of agreed roles and responsibilities. The MOU’s seek to achieve the following objectives:

1. Growing participation in table tennis.

2. Strengthening the partnership to align efforts through strategic plans, administrative systems and communications.

3. Increasing revenue and investment by securing more Corporate and Government funding.

4. Raising awareness of the benefits of table tennis for all ages and all abilities.

5. Engaging and expand opportunities for members.

6. Improving player performance, including opportunities for High Performance athletes, and enhancing coaching and officiating that underpins performance at all levels.

Upon making the announcement, TTA President Graham Symons commented, “State/Territory Associations, together with TTA, have the common objectives of growing the sport and increasing value for members. We can achieve this most effectively through collaboration and the MOU’s are one way of fostering collaboration.

“The spirit of collaboration was very evident at our recent AGM and Forum where we had program success stories presented by representatives from club, State/Territory and National levels. We also had discussion groups addressing strategic challenges led by three State/Territory leaders.

“I am confident that we will continue to build on these initial steps and that table tennis will be a much stronger sport as a result of our collective efforts.”

TTA CEO Scott Houston said over the past few years TTA has worked on the basis that we have enough competition from the 70 other Australian sports for corporate and government support, that we can’t afford to compete amongst ourselves.

“The MOU’s provide the next chapter in a long list of TTA and States/Territory collaboration in recent years. Previous examples include the establishment of the National Database, common branding across websites, aligning TTA and State/Territory Strategic Plans and rolling out high performance, participation and development initiatives and programs,” Houston said.

“The establishment of MOU’s is a big step for States/Territories to take and we are appreciative that New South Wales, ACT, Tasmania, Northern Territory and Western Australia are willing to take that step. We are hopeful that it is only a matter of time before we have all States/Territories on board”.

The Presidents of the State/Territory Associations all commented positively on the MOU’s and believe it is the next step in the continued development and growth of table tennis in Australia.

“The Board of TTNSW is pleased to announce that it has agreed terms with TTA with regard to an MOU between our two entities. We look forward to a beneficial association with TTA in achieving our mutual aim of growing our sport nationally. TTNSW sees this initiative as a first step in standardising the organization of our sport across all our member states and affiliations,” Tony Aduckiewicz, President of Table Tennis New South Wales said.

Table Tennis ACT President, Heather Tomlinson commented, “Table Tennis ACT is pleased to sign an MOU with TTA to further strengthen collaboration and build the sport of table tennis across Australia. The partnership with TTA is supporting Table Tennis ACT provide new opportunities to try table tennis through programs such as Spinneroos and the Corporate Cup, as well as supporting club members to develop their skills through coaching and tournaments.”

“Table Tennis Tasmania is pleased to announce that we have signed an MOU with TTA. The objectives and aims of the MOU are mutually beneficial and the resultant regular financial consideration will provide stability and certainty to our ongoing operations in Tasmania, particularly as we have arranged the flow down effect to our branches,” Table Tennis Tasmania President, Pieter Holwerda said.

Table Tennis Northern Territory President, John Pudney commented, “TTNT is pleased to sign this MOU with TTA. Our Board has welcomed the collaborative and outcomes focussed approach to this milestone document. TTNT looks forward to continued development and growth of the sport with particular alignment with TTA.”

“TTWA welcomes this partnership MOU agreement with TTA which aligns our efforts to grow table tennis in Western Australia and ensures we have common strategies and goals. The annual TTA contribution will allow TTWA to focus on key areas knowing the funding is in place to execute and implement these plans,” Table Tennis Western Australia President, Adrian Reeves commented.