A total of 116 table in use in Sandefjord (Photo: Reto Bazzi) hhhhhhhhhhhhh Swaythling Club members in action at the 2023 European Veteran Championships in Sandefjord, Norway on Monday 26th June. Women's Singles 65 Years: Claude Bergeret (France) v Yolanda Garcia (ESP) - the match played on table 77, in 1977 Claude Bergeret won the mixed doubles title at the World Championships (Photo: Reto Bazzi) Women's Singles 75 Years, Gizella Zacher (Hungary) faces Roswitha Wiencke (Germany) (Photo: Reto Bazzi) Men's Singles 80 Years, Svetoslav Gerdjikov (Bulgaria) opposes Ole Kristiansson (Norway) (Photo: Reto Bazzi) Men's Singles 65 Years, Pal Guttormsen (Norway) plays Philippe Guiheu (France) (Photo: Reto Bazzi) Men's Singles 70 Years: Jochen Leiss (Germany) opposes Michael Belfield (England) (Photo: Reto Bazzi) Women’s Singles 60 Years: Mette Knudsen (Norway)
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Diane Schöler (1933 – 2023)
Diane Schöler at the 2019 Swaythling Club Annual General Meeting (Photo: Richard Kalocsai) It is with great sadness that the passing of Diane Schöler is announced; diagnosed with pancreatic cancer some 14 months ago, she died on Monday 19th June. Honorary President of the Swaythling Club International, recently on Friday 14th April, she had celebrated her 90th birthday, at the time the oldest living world champion. Claude Bergeret, the current President of the Swaythling Club International, likewise a World champion, held Diane Schöler in great esteem. “I am extremely saddened by the news; everyone looked up to Diane whether as a player or an administrator. Always, she set the perfect example and delighted in presenting the Richard Bergmann Fair Play Trophy alongside her husband,
Ping Pong Diplomacy Remembered
Alan Hydes, Bi Haibo and Harvey Webb at the meeting in London (Photo: Swaythling Club) In 2021 the Chinese Embassy in London planned a celebration to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the historic visit to China by England’s table tennis team. The Covid pandemic meant that the celebration was postponed. Now, some two years later the occasion has been remembered. Alan Hydes, one of the original England team members, was invited to the Embassy to meet Bi Haibo, Minister Counsellor, and Wang Ping, Press and Public Affairs Attaché. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons other members of the 1971 England Team were unavailable for the gathering but Alan accompanied by Harvey Webb, representing the Swaythling Club International, attended. The meeting was most convivial, Bi Haibo
Annual General Meeting – Durban 2023
Members at the Annual General Meeting in Durban (Photo: SCI) A total of 21 members attended the Annual General Meeting of the Swaythling Club International in Durban on Friday 26th May. Observing the passing of Ireland’s Alexander Thackerberry, Germany’s Heinz Guillaume and the Czech Republic’s Milena Zizcova-Pouluckova, a one-minute silence was held. Members elected to the Swaythling Club Executive Committee: President: Claude Bergeret (France) Deputy President: Reto Bazzi (Switzerland) Treasurer: Richard Scruton (England) Secretary: Harvey Webb (England) Members: Lilamani de Soysa (Switzerland), Zdenko Krisz (Slovakia), Gloria Wagener (Germany)
Czech Republic Members Meet in Prague
Czech Republic Swaythling Club members (left to right) Milan Orlowski, Zbynek Spacek, Marie Hrachova and Pavel Spacek (Photo: Helena Houdkova) Members of the Czech Republic branch of the Swaythling Club International met at the Gold Eur restaurant in Prague on Friday 14th April. After a period of eight years in office, giving unstinting service, Jaroslav Stanek, now 83 years old, resigned from his position as President. Sadly, at the meeting it was advised that earlier in the year, a valued member, Milena Zizkova-Polackova had passed away. However, members were delighted to welcome Dana Cechova and Iveta Vacenovska to the group. The Czech Republic branch of the Swaythling Club now has 28 members. Following tradition the Swaythling Club Cup for 2022 was awarded to Marie Hrachova, now
Belgian Members Visit Very Special Friend
Long time colleagues (back row) Alex Rosmarin, Pierre Juliens and Frans Lanckman, (front) André Damman b On Sunday 30th April Alex Rosmarin, Pierre Juliens and Frans Lanckman, members of the Belgian Swaythling Club branch, visited André Damman, Personal Honorary Member of the International Table Tennis Federation. André is now 92 years old.
Swaythling Club International – Annual General Meeting
The 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Swaythling Club International will take place on Friday 26th May, commencing 4.00 pm, in the Durban International Convention Centre, the venue for the World Championships. 2023 Annual General Meeting - Agenda 2023 Annual General Meeting - Treasurer's Report 2023 Annual General Meeting - Proposals
English Members Meet at National Championships
Members of the English branch of the Swaythling Club International: (back row) Alan Ransome, Don Parker, Harvey Webb, Richard Scruton (front row) Jose Ransome, Jill Parker, Beverley Godfrey, Karen Tonge. (Photo: Diane Webb) The English branch of the Swaythling Club International (SCI) met on the morning of finals day at the National Championships. Once again, we are grateful to Table Tennis England for hosting the meeting. As usual the meeting was an opportunity for our members to hear about the latest SCI developments and to exchange news. It was noted the SCI AGM is to be held on 26th May 2023 during the World Championships in Durban. Members also took the opportunity to sign a birthday card for Diane Schöler who celebrated her
Entry for 2023 European Veteran Championships Remains Open
Entry for the 2023 European Veteran Championships will remain open until Sunday 30th April. Staged in Sandefjord, Norway, from Sunday 25th June to Saturday 1st July, the entry fee is Euros 200; this includes singles and doubles, both events having qualification in groups, followed by main draw and consolation. Oslofjord Convention Center is the venue, the playing hall, accommodation, meals and social events all be on site. No transport is needed during the event, everything is in short walking distance. The resort has restaurants, bars, a beach area, golf course and of course the Center just outside your windows. There will even be a range of activities, social mixed doubles, golf and a “stage" for those who can sing, play or have other skills! Most importantly,
Happy Birthday: Diane Schöler, Honorary President Swaythling Club International
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Congratulations to Diane Schöler, on Friday 14th April, she celebrates her 90th birthday, she is the oldest living world champion. The former Diane Rowe, partnering her 20 minutes younger twin sister Rosalind, who sadly passed away in 2015, they won the women’s doubles title at the 1951 World Championships in Vienna, before in 1954 regaining the title in London. In the Konzerthaus in Vienna, at the time, 17 years and 320 days old; their combined ages remain to this day the youngest ever to hold the W.J. Pope Trophy high; an achievement put into context when considering Japan’s Mima Ito and Hina Hayata who were both 18 years of age when they reached the final in 2019 in Budapest. Furthermore, in 1951 neither