Ryedale Table Tennis League

A Brief History of the Ryedale League

WHERE & WHEN DID IT ALL BEGIN?

The Ryedale Table Tennis League was started in Pickering in 1958 by Tom Bolam. The first ever league was won by Kirkdale 'A'. Tom ran the league up to 1969 when it was then handed over to Reg Waterworth. Reg was to become a pivotal character in the future growth of table tennis in the Ryedale area. He achieved his coaching diploma & was soon set on raising the profile of table tennis within the youthful and not so youthful of Ryedale. I myself spent many evenings & countless hours [circa 1970] on Reg's table hitting balls cross-court and down the line as dear Reg tried valiantly to find a table tennis player within the spotty 13 year old kid facing him and some say he never did find one..!!!

Sadly Reg died several years ago. The committee and players of the RTTL recognise Tom as a founder member, and especially Reg for the huge amount of work he put into the Ryedale Table Tennis League in making it the friendly league we all enjoy today.

The league went from strength to strength and in season 1971-72 it grew to three divisions to accommodate 35 teams. In 1980 we reverted back to two full-size divisions similar to what we have today with 12 teams in Div 1 and 12 in Div 2. The first handicap league, played on a parallel with league games, was established in 1965/66. Until recently former Chairman Steve Miller looked after this.

The league also has its own veterans team playing in Yorkshire Vets Div 3. They have had a successful season meeting new players, seeing different venues & exchanging tips on growing old gracefully! They have been excellent ambassadors in spreading the word and are a great testament to the Vets network. A summer league is held every, yes you've guessed it ...summer! A big thank-you to Andy Grayson for running it & winning it most years!!

The Annual Closed Tournament is held every April followed by our Annual Dinner-Dance/Presentation Evening. Did you know: The league's first ever Dinner/Dance was held at the Buck Inn in Thornton le Dale on 24th December, 1961. Chicken was served at a cost of just 7/6d a head - that's about 37.5p in today's money. Makes you think doesn't it?

OBITUARY

2003 was a sad year for table tennis in the Ryedale area as we lost one of the league's shining lights in Terry Adams. Terry was our Treasurer & Awards Secretary. His influence & presence in the league was hugely positive and can never be underestimated. Terry loved his table tennis, and will be greatly missed by all.

[for Terry: gone to play in a 'higher league']

Tony Kemp