288 Table tennis players in 48 teams from schools representing every county in Ulster competed in the Ulster Schools’ Cup Team Table Tennis Championships in Lisburn Racquets Club.
The event, which also doubles up as a qualifier for the All-Ireland Schools Championship, proved to be exciting and engaging for competitors and spectators alike with well matched teams battling out for silverware in six different categories and for that all-important opportunity to represent Ulster on the 25th April in Dublin at the All-Ireland School Championships.
After six hours of continuous play on 24 tables with plenty of skill, passion, exuberance and the odd element of controversy, six new Ulster Schools’ Cup Team Champions were crowned, namely:
U19 Boys: Grosvenor Grammar School
U19 Girls: Royal School Dungannon
U15 Boys: Enniskillen Royal Grammar School
U15 Girls: Bloomfield Collegiate School
U13 Boys: St. Catherine’s College Armagh
U13 Girls: Strathearn School
As School’s Secretary I have many people to thank for their assistance in making the Ulster Schools Cup championship take place. The team of Arnold, Jimmy, Ranjit, Adrian, John and Adam who prepared the Hall for competition. The team of Gary, Alex, Francis, Sandra and Robert who kept play moving through a very long and exhausting day. The top table team of Ryan, Joe and Jimmy who worked tirelessly through the day calling matches and recording results. A big shout out too Arnold, Jimmy, Sandra, Robert and the helpers from Grosvenor and Monaghan Schools who helped with the clearing of the hall at 5pm.
Thanks also to the teachers who promote table tennis in their schools and who facilitated the attendance of the teams. Thanks to Trevor at Lisburn Racquets for allowing the set-up team into the Hall at 10pm on the night before the event and to his staff for their help as required. It was also a privilege to have Mrs Pat Hunter, the President of Table Tennis Ireland, present to give out the trophies and medals to all the winning and placed teams. And last but not least thanks to the Table Tennis Ulster Executive who have worked assiduously to increase participation in the sport: the record numbers at the school events this year pays tribute to the success of this work. It does make the challenge of running the event increasingly difficult. But it is a challenge that all our volunteers and helpers’ welcome.
Norman McBride USTTA Secretary
U19
Boys 12 teams – 72 players
Girls 8 teams – 48 players
Total U19 players – 120 players
U15
Boys 8 teams – 48 players
Girls 3 teams – 18 players
Total U15 players – 66 players
U13
Boys 11 teams – 66 players
Girls 6 teams – 36 players
Total U19 players – 102 players
Total
186 Boys
102 Girls
288 players
Detailed results can be found here.
