The First TTS Junior and Cadet National Cup

The first TTS Junior and Cadet National Cup took place on August 17th, bringing together the top young table tennis talents from across the nation. This event featured a round-robin format, allowing players to compete against each other in four categories: Cadet Boys, Cadet Girls, Junior Boys, and Junior Girls. The tournament saw some spectacular performances and intense matches, showcasing the future stars of table tennis.

Cadet Boys
Rory Thomson emerged as the standout player in the Cadet Boys category. Demonstrating remarkable form and skill, Rory only dropped a few ends in his eight matches, securing the top spot and clinching the first-ever Cadet National Cup. Matthew Pszonka from Aberdeen finished in second place, with his only loss being to Rory.

Cadet Girls
In the Cadet Girls category, Alexandra Hart from Stirlingshire TTA was unbeatable. She dominated her opponents, losing just one end across seven matches to secure first place. Padma Unnah from North Ayrshire took second place, with her only loss coming against Alexandra.

Junior Boys
Joe Mulhern from Drumchapel TTC, who is still a cadet, stepped up to compete in the junior boys category. Joe showcased his prowess by dropping only one set in his eight matches, claiming the top spot. The battle for second place was a close one, coming down to a countback between Charlie McGowan and Daniel Tibbetts. Both players had three wins and two losses in the second stage, but Charlie from Murrayfield secured second place due to his head-to-head victory over Daniel.

Junior Girls
The Junior Girls category was highly competitive, with several players beating each other and resulting in a tricky countback. Nichole Lee and Kiishi Adekola both ended the event with six wins and one loss each, an impressive feat considering both are still cadets. The final standings were decided by their head-to-head match, which Nichole Lee from Murrayfield narrowly won 11-7 in the fifth end. Kiishi Adekola from Aberdeen took second place, while Shannon Brown secured third.

An exciting season opener
This tournament was a thrilling start to the season, featuring fierce competition and outstanding displays of talent. Adding to the excitement, new annual trophies were introduced, thanks to a generous donation from TTS board member Billy Gibbs. Being the first name inscribed on these trophies is a rare honour, making this event even more special.
The event is set to return around the same time next year, promising another round of intense competition. Selection for this event is based on rankings, so be sure to participate in TTS competitions.

For a full list of results, be sure to check out the Stadium Tournament Software, which was a hit among members and kept everyone up to date with near real-time results and standings.