ARMADALE TABLE TENNIS CLUB (Inc)
THIS PAGE 07/07/2007
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 Introduction

The Armadale Table Tennis Club was formed in 1979 following many requests for table tennis facilities to be established in the Kelmscott - Armadale area to the east of Perth, Western Australia. Since then, the Club has expanded to cover other areas such as Thornlie, Maddington, Gosnells and Byford, with members living as far away as Quinns Rock in the North to Mandurah in the South.

Initially, the Club enjoyed spectacular growth rates with membership numbering over 100 persons. Membership enrolment has stabilised over recent years to between 20 and 30. The Club caters for all ages of player - from 8 to 82.

The Club's diverse nature has seen it expand its role from that of it simply being a table tennis club, to a group that actively engages in many community and school activities.

As with any group that participates within the community, it has been necessary to ensure that information can be quickly and efficiently disseminated to all persons both within the Club and to external parties.

The Armadale Table Tennis Club (Inc) has upgraded it's information services and junior coaching program so as to support the future well being and development of the sport in the local area.
 

Club Details

ATTC (Inc) currently has 22 members within the following membership categories: family, senior, junior, pensioner and non-active (social).

An active committee runs the day to day affairs of the Club and is comprised of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and 4 committee members.

The Club plays at the Kelmscott Hall every Tuesday evening with the only exception being the Christmas / New Year holiday break. Regular Coaching Clinics are also run periodicly on a Tuesday evening over a 2 hour session.

In terms of the administrative functions of the Club, all membership details, correspondence control and financial information are maintained on a computer database system. 

Regular events during the table tennis year include an intra-club championship, mini competitions on club nights and social gatherings amongst members. These include car rallies, bowling nights, golf days, Christmas functions and general social outings.

Since it's inception, the Club's philosophy has always been community minded with particular emphasis on participating in the local area activities and looking for opportunities to increase the profile of table tennis at both the senior and junior levels.

The Club has some major initiatives which enhance it's standing in the community. These are summarised below.

Shopping Centre Exhibitions

These have become a regular part of the Club's community outreach with exhibitions held twice yearly at local shopping centres. In addition to a demonstration of the sport, there are coaching activities and general information is made available to the public. Inter Club Social Matches Although inter club matches have been played in the past, they are usually based on a formal competition and there has been little opportunity to engage in social interaction with other clubs. A few years ago, ATTC (Inc) instigated social matches against other clubs and has seen it grow into a regular feature on the table tennis calendar.

It has also had the benefit of having players who would otherwise not participate in competitions, meet players from other clubs.

We have held matches against clubs as far away as Collie and Narrogin.

 Incorporation The Armadale Table Tennis Club was incorporated in May 1995, following a review of its management systems and the need to encompass some of the formal structure and benefits that incorporation provides.

In many ways, incorporation represents the single largest change to the Club's structure since it's inception in 1979.

One example is that the Club's constitution was revamped in line with the requirements of the Ministry of Fair Trading. A sub-committee was formed to carry out this task.

In conjunction with the incorporation and review of the Club's Constitution, it was decided that the Club's information processing and handling needs to be improved. A number of systems were already in place but these were upgraded during the 1998-99 year to include our first Internet web site.

 Health & Safety Policy

                    The Armadale Table Tennis Club is currently producing a Health and Safety Policy to improve the wellbeing of our members and visitors
                    This is being done with help and encouragement from  "The Healthy Club" section of the department of Sport and Recreation.

Junior Coaching Clinic The coaching sessions run since the club's inception, are organized on Tuesday evenings. These have proved to be popular with the Club's juniors and it is hoped that participation will increase this year. In a number of cases the standard of play has increased dramatically as a consequence of the coaching.

During the past year the Club has featured in a number of articles in the local media. This opportunity has been used to advertise the junior coaching facilities at the Club.

 Representation on WATTA Board of Management  Several of the Club's members work with the Board of Management of the Western Australian Table Tennis Association (Inc) (WATTA).

This has provided the Club with a special opportunity for close liaison with WATTA (Inc) and has facilitated a close working relationship with such activities as the Junior Coaching Clinic.

Another example is the shopping centre exhibitions organised by ATTC (Inc) with sponsorship from WATTA (Inc) and the Healthways organisation.

 Interaction with the Local Community Although the Club's primary focus is on the development of the sport of table tennis, the Club has been privileged to be able to assist other local groups. This has extended to donations of equipment to a local child care centre.

Also, the Club has been keen to foster a good working relationship with the City of Armadale, particularly by its regular hire arrangements for the Kelmscott Hall, participation in community information programs (volunteer training courses) and general co-operation in supporting the notion of community involvement.

The Club has also contributed to the improvement of the lighting facilities at Kelmscott Hall as a project with the City of Armadale.

                     Through its participation in these community events ATTC (Inc) has formed excellent relationships with local businesses that have     
                     helped the Club  with sponsorship.
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