There has been some speculation surrounding the future of the VETTS O/40s ranking. So we'd like to clarify the situation. We could not do this any sooner, as we received TTE's response to our proposals on Friday and responded to them this morning. We were conscious that we needed some clarity before Durham, but nothing has been agreed until today (August 27, 2024)
Background: The VETTS has its own constitution, rules, regulations and ways of operating as an independent, autonomous body. We produce our own ranking lists for O/50s, O/60s and above from the results of our VETTS Masters Competition. For some time, there has been an understanding with ETTA, then TTE, that we would provide the results of our O/40s events to compliment the ETTA/TTE veterans ranking/rating list. We paid a small levy to TTE which dates back to when these results were manually input into the system.
The VETTS maintained a status of 'In Good Standing' with ETTA, then TTE. This is for independent bodies who enjoy mutual co-operation with the National Governing Body but do not affiliate nor operate within the national framework. So, as well as providing O/40s results, we liaise about calendar dates, disciplinary matters, news, etc but neither is restricted or controlled by the other.
Last season, TTE changed the definition of 'In Good Standing' so that organisations, such as the VETTS needed to affiliate and come under the control of TTE in order to be 'In Good Standing'. This is not compatible with the VETTS own constitution and after a full discussion at the VETTS AGN in July 2024, it was unanimously agreed that the VETTS would opt out of the 'In Good Standing'.
The VETTS AGM unanimously mandated Jan Johns and me to try to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with TTE where we could continue to collaborate and co-operate but with the firm 'red line' that the VETTS would not compromise its independence or come under the control of TTE in any aspect. It was discussed at the AGM and understood that this could result in TTE no longer accepting the VETTS O/40s results.
The VETTS offered to provide the O/40s results in a digital format with no fees and no conditions. TTE position is that it requires a £240 fee per event and attached certain conditions which would put the VETTS inside the national framework on issues such as membership and sanctions. Without this criteria, TTE has informed us our results are not eligible for inclusion.
Outcome: The VETTS Executive unanimously believe that it is in the best interests of the Society as a whole that we maintain our full independence and stay outside the national framework on all issues.
Thanks to the brilliant work of Phil Snelson on the VETTS ranking list we now have one 'master' list from which we can extract the age categories, so we can produce a O/40s list with immediate effect.
We recognise that this might not please everyone, particularly some players whose participation in the O/40s event is dependent on being allocated points in TTE's veteran ranking list. But we have to put the greater good of the Society and its wider membership first and we believe we would be better placed to go forward as a fully independent organisation. We will also look for opportunities to add value to our O/40s and enhance our data in the lists.
We will continue to talk to TTE and hopefully reach agreement on other areas of mutual co-operation and collaboration.
We should stress that there is no ill will between the two organisation. Both organisations should share the common ground of providing the best table tennis opportunities for players. We have just reached a cross-roads on one part of our provisions. For the majority of our members, there will be no change, and we really hope our O/40s members will continue to see the value and enjoyment of being part of the VETTS community and participating in our events.
Letter sent to TTE from VETTS Executive (27/8/24)
Thank you for your email regarding the relationship between TTE and the VETTS.
We understand the position you are taking and we hope that you will also respect ours. This year, the VETTS is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and during all that time we have operated outside but in voluntary collaboration with the National Governing Body, the ETTA, then TTE.
The unanimous mandate from our membership at our recent agm is that we continue to operate in this independent way.
Our offer was that we would provide O/40s results from TTE members playing in VETTS Masters in a digital format without costs or conditions. As that isn't acceptable to TTE, and the costs and conditions of operating inside the national framework are not acceptable to the VETTS, we have reached a position where we understand from your email that VETTS results are not eligible to be processed into your system.
We are pleased that you are willing to continue our discussions on various other areas where we can work together, such as calendars, information, etc, and we are still hopeful that we will reach a position of co-operation and collaboration in a Memorandum of Understanding.
As our first event of the season is this weekend (Aug 31/Sept 1), the North East Masters in Durham, we will be informing our members of the position as soon as possible.
From: VETTS Executive: Susie Venner; Jan Johns; Emma Harradine; Janet Adams; Tony Worthington