16/10/2017
*** AMTTA CHAIRMAN (QUENTIN HOETE) REPORT FOR 2016 - 2017 (Given to members of AMTTA at the Aotearoa Maori Nationals, Whangarei in a AGM MEETING (Sat 14th October) ***
Tena Koutou Katoa,
I (Quentin Hoete) would like to take this opportunity to thank John and Diane Te Pania, Leo and Phyllis Hoete, Bill and Violet Tangariki, and all their whanau for their long and at times challenging dedication, efforts and sacrifices they had to endure to keeping Aotearoa Maori Table Tennis active for over twenty years. At times our Association has been in hiatus, but with a newly formed committee for their outstanding work over recent years.
With our new committee being elected at the 2016 Maori Nationals in November, I (Quentin Hoete - Chairman) would like to thank David Walker, for volunteering to take on the Secretary Position and Liane Henry voted in by the members of AMTTA as Treasurer and gladly accepted.
*** Our New Committee's background to AMTTA and Our vision for AMTTA Future ***
My (Quentin Hoete/ Chairman) whanau have been on the Table tennis scene for as long as I can remember, with both my sister (Eileen Hoete) and brother (Gavin Hoete) winning New Zealand National titles. My sister (Eileen Hoete) represented New Zealand in her junior years. Me (Quentin Hoete) and my Brother (Gavin Hoete) represented Aotearoa Maori Table Tennis at the Arafura Games in Darwin in 1999. The Three of us have all played at National level and I (Quentin Hoete) am fortunate enough to still be playing at Nationals. We have accumulated many Maori titles over the years, with both Mum (Phyllis & Leo Hoete) doing extremely well in the Veterans categories.
David Walker (Secretary), has been involved in Table Tennis for many years also, having won many Maori National Titles, both in the individual competitions and the doubles categories. David has won titles in all age groups and is still a active Counties Manukau Representative. To this day David still plays at a high level of Table Tennis.
Liane Henry (Treasurer) is a relatively new comer to our sport, being involved with Table Tennis over the last two years. She is the proud grandmother of Our Most Recent talented, Maori Female Junior player, 11 yr old Takaimaania Ngata-Henare. Having just returned from playing in the National Table Tennis Championships in Christchurch (October 2017), Takaimaania Ngata-Henare became Northland's 1st Female Junior Table Tennis player to win a New Zealand Under 11 yrs girls title. From the Committee and all of AMTTA Members "CONGRATULATIONS TAKAIMAANIA".
We strive to deliver a healthier, fun and affordable activity that the whole whanau can enjoy. We offer expertise, experience and knowledge to our Maori people so that they can develop, grow and become better players for it. As a Association, we are learning every day, what is required to grow our sport among st Maori. Our aim is participation, targeting the whanau, from Kaumatua/ Kuia, Mama/ Papa, through to our tamariki, offering Table Tennis as a alternative sport, in a safe and professional atmosphere. Our two tournaments, run over the year, are but stepping stones to where we need to be, which is getting more involved with our local Iwi and Marae. There are many Iwi and Marae out there that can benefit from our Association, with focus on our Tamariki. We have plans in place for coaching seminars and the use of our expertise in facilitating future Marae games. Word of mouth and performance achievements are making people take notice of what Maori players have to offer. We need to strike while we have momentum, so as a Association we will, with the help of our members, look to build and improve on our talent pool.
With the transitioning of a new committee, we found ourselves facing a few challenges, however we are getting there, one step at a time as a team and with the same vision for AMTTA.
As mentioned earlier we run two major tournaments a year, the Marae Nationals and the Maori National's. We were very fortunate this year to have two parties volunteer to host both tournaments. Phyllis Hoete offered Oraeroa Marae as the host for the Marae National, which were held in April, and Liane Henry offered the Norhtland Table Tennis Stadium in Whangarei to host our Maori Nationals, to be held in October, Both were warmly accepted. We are all looking forward to a new and exciting 2018 Aotearoa Maori Table Tennis.
The Association are mindful that we have a few Para athlete's among st our members and we will look at adding events to cater for our whanau with disabilities in our future tournaments, once our structures have been implemented.
The committee decided to reformat our Maori Nationals this year. Deciding that our Marae Nationals will now be the main focus of our team competition, therefore, no team events will be held at this year's Nationals as in previous years. This should reduce the number of events run over the two days and allow those travelling, to be able to get away at a reasonable time.
So with a few new initiatives and processes in place at the moment, we feel that our future is looking bright and we are heading in the right direction. I would like to thank the executive committee and all our members who have worked tirelessly to achieve where we, as an Association are, at the moment. Without all your hard work, we would not have had a successful and productive year as we have had to date. Things are moving in a positive direction and I feel it has been a learning curb for one and all.
Finally I wish to Thank our sponsor's Te Puni Kokiri,
Wayne Gear and Auahi Kore, as this event would not have been possible without your support. Thank you sponsor's.
To Oraeroa Marae, My Mum (Phyllis Hoete) and Whanau for hosting the Marae National's back in April 2017, Thank you.
To Liane Henry, her whanau, Northland Table Tennis Association, for the beautiful venue, kai, and accommodation provided, for the Maori Nationals October 2017, Thank you.
I would also like to thank everyone that has entered, wish you all the best of luck and enjoy the occasion. For those playing for the first time or joining AMTTA for the first time, WELCOME and we will endeavor to make your experience of you will remember and want to repeat, sooner rather than later.
TO ALL OUR OLD FRIENDS, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO SEE YOU AND RENEW OLD RIVALRIES AGAIN ALSO RENEW ACQUAINTANCES.
Safe travels to one and all. Hope to see as many of you at the next tournaments, competitions, seminars, and AMTTA meetings
Yours Sincerely,
Quentin Hoete
AMTTA Chairman
