Kintbury stalwart Wu rewarded for hard work
KINTBURY’S Ian Wu won the National Contribution to Table Tennis award at the Pride of Table Tennis Awards, held during the recent National Championships.
A total of more than 70 nominations were received, and Wu’s nomination was put forward by Newbury and District Table Tennis Association’s (NDTTA) stalwart for many years, Ian Langley.
Johnathon Driscoll, who leads on the Pride of Table Tennis Awards at Table Tennis England, said: “Congratulations to the remarkable winners and finalists.
“It was inspirational to celebrate the exceptional volunteers for their achievements at the dinner.
“We sincerely appreciate the volunteers, who consistently step forward each year to ensure the growth of table tennis.
“ You are the very heartbeat of our sport.”
Twelve years ago Wu took on the NDTTA treasurer role, a job that no-one else wanted to do and the league was on the verge of holding an emergency general geeting to consider its future until he stepped forward.
Over the next five years, Wu made sure the NDTTA’s finances stayed on an even keel before supporting a clubmate to succeed him in the role.
During this period as treasurer he also set up Kintbury Table Tennis club, which has now grown to be the second biggest club in the Newbury League with six league teams and more than 30 players playing competitively and another 15 or so he has encouraged to just come long to play for fun.
In the past couple of seasons Wu has also organised the hosting at Kintbury, of the Newbury Table Tennis Championships, Willmott Cup zonal finals and county matches.
Berkshire has lost the use of a key venue elsewhere in the county so it has been really helpful that Wu has enhanced Kintbury’s facilities to enable important national table tennis events to be held there.
Wu is also a Level 2 qualified coach and provides free coaching at the club, including helping of a young wheechair user who is hoped may be a future Paralympian.
Wu epitomises grass table tennis roots at its best, not elitist at all, but providing an excellent venue with some very good practice for higher level players.
