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One of the newest, youngest and most exciting prospects to come into the Chlemsford League this season has been Tony Halling, a member of the Rawreth & Hullbridge Club who have also enjoyed their first season in Chelmsford.

Tony started table-tennis aged 8 in Sept 96 after going to his dad's matches in order to finish off the biscuits! His interest widened after watching the World Championships in Manchester and in Sept 97 he started playing league table tennis at the age of 9. Losing his first 25 matches only made him more determined and the losses turned to wins.

1998 saw Tony win the Sudbury Under 10s, become Essex number 1 at under 12s and represent Chelmsford U12 in the St. Ives tournament where he remained unbeaten. After coaching from his dad and various local coaches, Grant Solder took an interest and continues to coach him along with John Holland Senior.

In January 1999 Tony qualified for the National Cadet Final Rankings and a few months later beat Steve Kerns in the Brentwood Handicap Final to win Ł50. He retained his Essex number 1 Under 12s for the current season and is the Essex Cadet number 4 and Junior number 9. Now in his 3rd Southend League season, he has moved from the 4th division to the 1st and is playing in the very competitive 2nd division in Chelmsford.

Tony’s other main interest, football, being a fast right winger, has had to stop after 3 seasons with Rayleigh Elmwood Colts, as the clashes with table-tennis led to him making a choice between the two. He plays in his school basketball team and represents the school in cross country running.

In October 1999 Tony won his 1st Open Junior tournament at Chesham and made a winning debut for the Essex Junior 3rd team which, after 4 matches, remains unbeaten. Most weekends are spent at tournaments and good ranking wins, particularly at adult Grand Prixs, have elevated Tony to England number 6 in the Under 12 age group.

On his 12th birthday in November, he was runner-up at the Cirencester Open Cadets and in December went one better, winning the Chesham Under 14s. This year has seen Tony have some good league wins, beating two premier players in Southend, and a match winning victory over recent 2-Down tournament champion Bryn Thomas in Chelmsford.

In the Chelmsford Closed Tony lost to Matthew Staines in the Under 15s final but won the Under 13s and Junior Doubles (with Niel Disley, a fellow Rawreth player).

Many hours of practice are paying off for Tony, seen in action during a Cadet Ranking event.

What would anyone do on their 12th birthday? Celebrate with a runner up medal in the Cirencester U14 Tournament of course!

Is Tony really listening to his coach, dad Andrew Halling?

Happiness is ...? A game called table tennis. At least Tony seems to be enjoying it.

If you have an idea for a table tennis Special Feature why not mail the details to the Management Committee today using the link at the foot of this page.