Appointed TTU chair in May 2025 having previously served on the Executive Committee for 12 years as Lead Safeguarding Officer.
I started playing table tennis in my local club at the age of 12 and I am currently a member of Killyleagh and Bright TT clubs in Co. Down.
As an International umpire and referee, I have travelled throughout Europe and America, officiating at many major tournaments including the World Vets in Las Vegas in 2018.
I also serve as TTU’s Competitions Executive and represent Ulster on TTI’s Events Committee, Umpire & Referee’s Committee and Safeguarding Committee.
Competition Executive
Responsible for ensuring that there is a breath of competition events and playing opportunities for all levels of players within Ulster.
Chair of TTU’s events Committee overseeing all competitions, schools events, ranking lists and umpires/ referees in Ulster.
Chair of the Ulster Open and Ulster Closed planning committees and Ulster’s representative on TTI’s Events Committee.
Jennifer is Secretary on Tennis Ulster Executive Committee
Jennifer has also been recently elected as a Director with Table Tennis Ireland
Jennifer is former Irish International and Ulster and Irish No 1 player and has represented Ulster and Ireland on many occasions,
Jennifer is also a coach developer and lead coach at Lisburn Rapid Table Tennis Club.
Technique Officer – on my third term at this role- I lead a team of coaches who through squad sessions ,provide the best opportunity for our players to fulfil their goals and potential in table tennis at regional, national and international level.
Paralympic Officer – on my third term at this role- I help to get people with physical disabilities into the sport of table tennis, provide the participants coaching and guidance to perform at their highest ability and help support the growth of Paralympic players within our region.
Unlike many of my fellow committee members I do not have a history of playing table tennis, but like a lot of parents have developed a love for the sport, watching one of my children flourish through their participation.
I was appointed Lead Safeguarding Officer in May 2025 and bring over 30 years’ experience of working with children and young people to this role. As Safeguarding Officer, I have responsibility to ensure TTU’s safeguarding policies are implemented and maintained, and to be the point of contact for all safeguarding concerns including managing complaints and incidents of poor practice.
Other responsibilities include –
Ala Al-Janabi hails from Baghdad and will mark his 50th anniversary in this country next year. He is a retired businessman who previously owned and managed several companies. In November 2023, he joined TTU for the very first time, having never played table tennis before. His passion for the sport has grown significantly, and he became a county umpire a year ago. Additionally, he has earned his qualifications as a table tennis coach and takes pride in coaching primary schools in the ABC area. Ala enjoys playing table tennis and hopes to earn his first medals in the coming year.
He is a member of TTU the Executive Committee and also sit on a number of sub committees including the Events committee, Schools committee and the Marketing committee. He is looking forward to 2026/2026.
Simon Gough is a Level 1 Coach at Lisburn Rapids Table Tennis Club, a Level 2 National Umpire and a Level 1 Referee. He came to table tennis in 2015 and has since built up his coaching and officiating qualifications alongside playing. Simon works in software development and has been involved in helping with table tennis tournament software. His son Isaac plays in Table Tennis Ulster squads.
On the Executive Committee, Simon serves as Competitions Executive, working as part of the team responsible for administering Table Tennis Ulster’s competitions.
Evangelical Christian, Modern History Graduate from QUB, worked in Civil Service for over 30 years with a brief secondment to the NI Assembly. Retired 2016. Married to Thelma and I have two grown up siblings, Matthew and Alison.
Involved in youth work over 40 years working in Teen Challenge, Ballymena Central YMCA and for the last decade as Honoury Ulster Schools Secretary.
I have played table tennis for over 50 years, founding member of Tully TTC club that eventually morphed into Ballymena TTC, first Secretary of the County Antrim League and a Past President of the said League, I also have had committee roles in various other leagues including the now defunct Ballymena, Ballyclare and East Antrim Leagues. Represented the NI Civil Service in table tennis against our counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales.
Presently, I am League Secretary of the Belfast and District Table Tennis League, Committee Executive in the Co Antrim League, Ulster Vets Inter-Pros selector, represent Ulster Schools’ on the TTU Executive and actively volunteer at Ballymena TTC. I am a qualified TT umpire, Level 1 coach and have recently set my sights on becoming a TT tournament referee.
A life long Leeds United fan, I have a large music collection including a huge Bob Dylan collection and enjoy quizzes, treasure hunts and the odd round of golf.
1 Corinthians 10 v31
Elaine is a life-long lover of sport – especially racket ones! She still plays competitive tennis and hockey, and is a huge advocate of sport for everyone at any level due to its physical and mental health benefits. She particularly loves the inclusivity of table tennis and the fact that it really is a sport for life.
