15 December 2018 Darwin Table Tennis Weekly Special Edition Volume 10 Issue 0.1 Contact E-mail: darwintta@gmail.com Website: darwintabletennis.com.au Phone: 0487-404-983 Facebook: @darwintabletennis Produced by Robert Ho for the Darwin Table Tennis Association Inc.
Darwin Table Tennis Weekly Updates Hi folks, this special edition of the newsletter will be utilised to inform everyone on important changes, updates, and opening/closing times in the December/January period. Firstly, for the off-season opening/closing times: Monday (Elfrida Kalich): General Practice (7-9 pm) ends 17/12/18; reopens 14/1/19. Wednesday (TY Lee): General Practice (7-9 pm) ends 19/12/18; reopens 9/1/19. Friday (Robert D Arcy): General Practice (5-7 pm) ends 21/12/18; reopens TBD. Secondly, there will be changes to the grade competition in 2019. For many years the club has ran two seasons: from February to May and August to November. The long break in the middle of the year coincided with a six week school break, when many people were out of town. That six week school break no longer exists, and members have suggested we play more of our grade matches during the better weather (June/July) and less in the worse (February and November). Also, in 2019 the Arafura Games return will impact our regular activities in April. We have decided to trial in 2019 running our grade competition from the first week of April to the end of September, with finals in the first 2 weeks of October. For A Grade (Wednesday nights) and B Grade (Thursday nights) it will be 1 long season; C Grade (Tuesday nights) will have 2 shorter seasons. With breaks scheduled for the Arafura Games (late April/early May) and mid-year school holidays (3 weeks in July) the schedule will look something like this: A Grade: April 3, 10, 17, May 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12, 19, 26, July 24, 31, August 7, 14,21, 28, Sept 4, 11, 18, 25, Semi-finals Oct 2, Grand Final Oct 10. B Grade: April 4, 11, 18, May 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6, 13, 20, 27, July 25, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Sept 5, 12, 19, 26, Semi-finals Oct 2, Grand Final Oct 10. C Grade will commence either April 2 or April 9. For those who still want competitive matches from February to November, you will be accommodated with pre-season and post-season competitions. Thirdly, the following are details on the 2019 registration and match fees: Annual Registration Fee: $80; Match Fees (A and B Grade): $10, or $7 (Seniors and U 18); Match Fees (C Grade, Session Fees Seniors Group, Junior Training): $5/session. Match Fees Pre-Season Competition: $7/night or $100 for all 24 nights. Match Fees Post-Season Competition: $7/night or $100 for all 24 nights. Registration is for the calendar year and becomes due and payable the first session you turn up for in 2019. New members who have never previously been a member who join after 30 June 2019 will pay $80 registration which will be due for renewal 30 June 2020. Gold Member Registration: to help reduce costs of participation for members who regularly play all grade matches and intend to play in the pre-season and postseason events in 2019, we are introducing a Gold Member registration fee. It will be $350 ($250 for Senior card holders and under 18) and includes: 1. Registration fee ($80); 2. All match fees for the season ($210 or $147 concession); 3. All match fees when substituting in a higher grade (up to $210 or $147 concession); 4. All match fees for the pre-season competition (up to $168); 5. All match fees for the post-season competition (up to $168); 6. 2 tickets to the annual sponsors function ($100); 7. Gold Member membership badge (invaluable). This Gold Member Registration MUST BE PAID IN FULL by 7 FEBRUARY 2019 (So start saving now!). Lastly, details about the 2019 Pre-Season Competition: With the grade competition commencing in April, we will be running a pre-season competition in February and March. It will be an individual competition with weekly prizes and overall prizes. It will run each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening from Tuesday 5 February to Thursday 28 March; a total of 24 scheduled sessions. On each of those days there will be a minimum of three rounds, with the rounds commencing at 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30 pm each evening. Participation is COMPLETELY FLEXIBLE. For example:
If, due to work commitments, poor time management or general disrespect for other people you cannot arrive by 7:30 pm you will not be able to play in the 7:30 round, but can join in for the later rounds; If, due to young age, old age or a medical condition you need to be home in bed by 9:30 pm you can play the rounds commencing at 7:30 and 8:30 pm and then go home. You will not be paired for the 9:30 pm round. If you have other commitments on some evenings, play the evenings you are available and skip the others. The event suits players of all standards. Each round you will be paired with an opponent who has won the same (or similar) number of matches you have. Match fees are a flat $7 per player for any evening you play, irrespective of age. If you intend to play often you can pay $100 up front to cover up to all 24 sessions. Save up to $68! No refunds on upfront payments. Please note that tables will be unavailable for casual play during the pre-season competition, as they are required for the pre-season matches (similar to standard grade match nights). TL; DR (Summary): Off-season hours: Monday (Closes 17/12/18, Reopens 14/1/19), Wednesday (Closes 19/12/18, Reopens 9/1/19), Friday (Closes 21/12/18, Reopens TBD); Grade competition 2019: A and B Grade 1 season (April 3/4 to Oct 10), C Grade 2 shorter seasons (commences April 2 or 9); Registration and match fees 2019: Annual rego ($80); A and B Grade match fees ($10, $7 seniors and U 18); C Grade, Senior sessions, and Junior training ($5/session). Gold Membership: One-off payment of $350 ($250 for Seniors/U 18). Covers everything in 2019. Pay by 7 February 2019. Pre-season Competition 2019: From Tuesday 5 Feb to Thursday 28 March. Three days a week, with rounds starting at 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30 pm. Flexible, no need to attend all. Pre-season competition match fees: $7 per night or prepay $100 for all 24 nights. The FAQs for the changes in grade competition, preseason competition, registration and match fees can be found in the following pages. See you next year! 2018