Dumfries Table Tennis Club

DTTC blue logo

Our History

Dumfries Table Tennis Club formed in the 1950’s, and then in 1988, a legacy enabled us to build our own premises in Shakespeare Street, in the centre of the town. Our sports hall is approximately 18 x15 metres, with excellent lighting and a sprung floor. We also have male and female changing/shower facilities, a kitchen and social space downstairs and a canteen and meeting room upstairs that can comfortably hold 20 people.

We are grateful to the sponsors and partners who have enabled us to create one of the very few purpose-built table tennis facilities in Scotland. Our venue has been an important centre for table tennis locally, regionally and nationally and has nurtured some of Scotland’s finest players over the years, with many competing at the top level nationally and internationally.

We are keen to see the hall used even more, and can offer very competitive rates to other sports or interest groups who would like to hire our facilities, particularly if they can fit around our non-core usage. Our upstairs room upstairs is also available for meetings. Email info@dumfriesttc.co.uk for more information, or drop by the hall (check opening times) to see the premises.

We aim to inspire the next generation of table tennis players while giving as many people as possible, young and old, the chance to play table tennis, regardless of where in the area they live. If your community group, youth group or local school is interested in playing more table tennis, please get in touch to see how we can help by emailing info@dumfriesttc.couk or via our Facebook page

FAIR WORK STATEMENT

Dumfries Table Tennis Club supports the Scottish government’s Fair Work First policy for driving high quality and fair work across the labour market in Scotland. Specifically we commit to paying at least the real Living Wage to any staff in our employment and ensuring that any employees have an appropriate channel to make their voice heard.

Our committee

Chair: Gordon Duff

Gordon Duff aka Duffy has played in the Dumfries league since the 1970s, and also plays in the Scottish National League. He is a long-standing DTTC committee member and became club chairman in 2003. Outside of table tennis, he is a keen ornithologist, plays in the local dominos league, and takes part in 7-a-side over-50s football.

Vice Chair: Graham Gault

Like many of our committee, Graham got involved at Dumfries TTC when his two boys started coming to classes. Nearly 20 years on, he is still playing and bamboozling opponents with his individual playing style! A previous club secretary his talents are now employed elsewhere and he is very active in pushing the club forward, particularly in terms of maintenance and continuing the improvement of our facility.

Secretary: Steve Cussell

Steve first played table tennis at school, then had 30 years out before joining Dumfries TTC in 2016. He’s a keen league player, and took on the role of club secretary in 2022. Steve’s other interests are cycling, e-biking, and aviation.

Treasurer: Kenny Lee

Kenny started playing at the end of 2006 in between university courses, as his sister was already involved. He has been involved in many aspects of the club's development and is now club treasurer. A fully qualified umpire, Kenny has umpired top level games such as the Scottish men's national championships final.

Head Coach: Dylan De Silva

Only a recreational player in his youth, Dylan starting taking table tennis more seriously in his thirties when he had the opportunity to play for Orkney in the Island Games. A decade or so and many TT balls later, Dylan found himself as over 40’s national champion and leading coaching at Dumfries TTC. He is currently also involved with national squad training and the Table Tennis Scotland selection committee. Outside table tennis Dylan is a keen guitarist and plays, records and performs jazz, folk and classical music. He is also a keen natural historian and is passionate about the environment.

Committee members

Graeme played and enjoyed a lot of table tennis as a teen but only joined the club in 2022 when his son Fin started playing. He now plays in the league with Fin, supports the junior coaching team, and takes an active role on the committee as our sponsorship lead.

Anne Borrowdale joined the club in 2021 after moving from Oxford to Dumfries. She quickly became involved, setting up over-50s social sessions and joining the committee - where deputises for the secretary when needed. Together with her husband Paul, she redeveloped the club's website, and helps with our social media. Away from table tennis, Anne enjoys walking, gardening, quizzing, writing and exploring Scotland.

Norma Brown represented Dumfries TTC as a junior and was a regular on the Scottish scene at the time.  After a long break she resumed her involvement at the club when her daughter Shannon began playing, and is now an active member of the committee and coaching team.  She is also a mean baker and if you attend any of our club events you may get a chance to sample some of her baking!

Jason Fleming. Born in Perth, but now living in Carlisle, Jason first started playing table tennis at the age of 9. A former junior international, he has since played for Scotland at every age group from Under 12 to Under 18. Outside Table Tennis, Jason is passionate about Early Modern Scottish History.

Kay Solaja first played table tennis at school, then returned to it when joining Dumfries TTC with his children in 2003. As well as playing regularly in local and national leagues, he is a UKCC level 1 qualified coach and can often be found assisting at coaching and social sessions. 

Paul Dowson recently returned to table tennis after playing as a junior. He plays in the Dumfries league and represents the club at national league level. He regularly helps at our coaching classes.