News
ITTA Launch the Junior Challenger Series
10 November 2009
The ITTA is proud to announce the launch of the STIGA Junior Challenger Series of tournaments. The Series, which will initially consist of 4 ranked tournaments in the 2009/2010 calendar year, is a key ITTA initiative in the development of the sport at Junior level. The primary objective of the Series is to increase participation levels throughout the country, by facilitating developing players who want to participate in table tennis competitions. The emphasis will be on having fun and enjoying lots of games.
The tournaments will be based on an open draw, and all players will participate in the same competition - there will be no age groups and boys and girls will play against each other. The format of each tournament will consist of a preliminary round, a second round, a league round and the knockout stages. The preliminary and second rounds will consist of groups of 4 and matches will be the best of 3 sets. The league round will consist of 4 divisions with groups of 3, and matches over 5 sets. The knockout stages for the group winners will be over 5 sets, and will determine 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in each division.
Ranking points will be awarded as follows :
Division 1 : Winner - 30, 2nd - 25, 3rd to 8th -15, all others -10
Division 2 : Winner -15, 2nd -10, all others - 5
Division 3 and 4 : Winner - 10, all others - 5
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in each division, and will consist of table tennis equipment, which will be supplied by the Series sponsor, STIGA.
As the emphasis will be on fun and participation, the ITTA has decided to restrict eligibility on the following basis - All male players who are ranked in the top 15 at Junior level in Ireland or the top 8 at Cadet level are excluded from entering tournaments. Likewise, all female players who are ranked in the top 8 at Junior level or the top 5 at Cadet level are excluded from entering the tournaments. All Seniors (over 17) are also excluded.
An entry fee of €5 for ITTA affiliated players and €7 for non affiliated players will apply. Players can pay and play on the day so there is no need to pre-register.
The inaugural tournament in the series will take place in Colaiste Phadraigh in Lucan on Sunday 13th Dec at 10.00am and all players who meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to participate.
We extend a special invitation to all those players who are involved under the Schools WIS programme, and would like to see as many parents attending in support of their children.
Further details on the series will be appearing on our Website in the coming weeks, so stay tuned and ……
don’t forget to tell your friends !
