EVENT: This is the annual VETTS National Championships which has been organised by the VETTS for over 40 years and is open to all VETTS members. It isn't the restricted English Nationals Championships which are run by TTE, but has not included a veterans event for about 10 years. We know that many of our members would like to see an event like that reinstated and this is something the VETTS is looking at for next season, along with others. But please note, that this is something separate from our annual VETTS National Championships which has taken place for decades and has continued to attract top players from home and abroad. You are all very welcome and we expect this tournament is played in the spirit of friendship and competition which exemplifies the culture of the VETTS community.
FRIDAY SET-UP: We need people to help with the set-up of the room on Friday evening. You don't need to be able to carry tables, just if you can help with the nets and score-boards it helps to spread the work-load. So please come and give us a helping hand. Set up on Friday, May 15, 2026 from 5pm. No knocking before set-up is complete.
Also, if you are still around Sunday evening, we always welcome extra hands with the break-down.
This is your Society and we need your help with these events to make them work smoothly. Thank you.
PARKING: Please note there will be a charge for parking at Aldersley Leisure Village for Saturday and Sunday, May 16 & 17, 2026 (Not the Friday evening). Aldersley Leisure Village is charging £4.00 per car per day, payable by card only to parking stewards on entry. This is nothing to do with the VETTS and has been introduced by the Centre after we booked the facilities.
DRAW: Available on the Tournament Software website:
https://vetts.tournamentsoftware.com/.../4AF81622-D21A...
CHECKING IN: Make sure you check in at the desk each day. Also if you are leaving the building for more than a few minutes, please check out and back in again - we need to know where you are! Please let the control table know if you are scratching from any event.
SCHEDULING PLAY: This is our biggest event of the season with 37 tables, 24 events and over 300 competitors - we need to keep it moving. If we can call games on sooner than scheduled, we will try to do so, so please be ready to play on schedule and ideally up to half an hour before schedule in case we can get ahead of ourselves. All players should have been informed of their start time.
UMPIRING; All losing players are required to umpire. If you lose a game, come to control desk to receive a score card for a match to umpire. Additionally we may call for volunteer umpires - please help out. It helps the tournament run smoothly and on time.
PROMOTION STAND/RAFFLE: As usual, we will have the VETTS Promotion Stand were you can buy a range of small souvenirs. We also have some VETTS kit available to buy directly from the stand (limited number of sizes).
We are grateful for donations of raffle prizes - bottles of wine, chocolates or any unwanted presents all help. All proceeds go back into the VETTS.
CROSS KNOCKING: Don't do it! The reason we say no cross-knocking or no knocking with multiple balls or no 'two on, two off' is that it increases the chances of interrupting the games in progress on neighbouring courts. Knocking is at the referee's discretion and is strictly limited to two people and one ball per table.
EQUIPMENT: Equipment is supplied by TeesSport. The event will take place on 38 x Butterfly 25 Europa tables, using Dual ABS 40+ 3* balls. TeesSport will have a trade stand at the event. The equipment provided will be used by all players.
REFRESHMENTS: There are canteen facilities in the venue.
SCORE CARDS; Check your results before returning the score card - you'd be surprised at the number of times the scores are entered the wrong way round, and we, on control desk, have no way of knowing this, so a losing player could inadvertently go through to the next round. Please check the scores are entered correctly.
MINUTE'S SILENCE: As has become the custom at this event, we will call an general let at 11am on Sunday for a minute's silence in memory of our friends, colleagues and members who have passed away in the past 12 months.
I think that's all folks...…
Thanks to our Tournament Referee, Cliff Bell; Tournament Organiser, Adrian Jones, and our hard-working team of volunteers. This event would not happen without them, so thanks to you all.
Safe travels to everyone and we look forward to seeing you at Aldersley
Queries to tournaments@vetts.org.uk
Susie Venner
Chairman
VETTS