WATTA

Events leading to the formation of the Western Australian table tennis association

For several years prior to 1938, Table tennis gained popularity in Perth, the game was fairly widely played on a social basis between various firms, sporting clubs and government departments. The Australian natives association sponsored, also, a few annual tournaments, the first of which was held in 1933, the men’s singles even being won by E.O.J Oats, of the water supply. This growing interest led to a desire to put the sport on a competitive basis and with this in view a Mr R.W Pullman convened a meeting which was held at Shell House on 8^th September, 1937.

Clubs represented at this meeting were:

- Postal institute

- Menora

- Shell

- Peters

- Elder Smith

- Agriculture Department

- Water Supply

- Hedland’s Tennis Club

- Carlisle Sports Club

- Hensman Park

- Public Works Department

A committee, comprising acting secretary Mr C.W. Jacka, acting treasurer Mr G.H. Cooper, with Mr J Burns, was appointed to make further arrangements. Following a meeting on 17^th March, 1938, the first annual general meeting of the association was called for 13^th April, 1938. On this occasion, constitution of the association was confirmed and official competitions began in that year.

1938 season - Important events

Formation of the association - 1938 was the first year of competition under the auspices of the Western Australian Table Tennis Association.

Competition of Teams - Teams in the initial pennant competition comprised 6 players. Each match was played over 6 singles rubbers and 3 double rubbers, 9 in all. In this first year, 47 teams participated

Conduct of the Competition - As no previous form was available, men’s teams were drawn into 2 divisions, finalists being arrived at on result of play in these divisions. A knock out competition was conducted also for these teams not participating in the finals.