I welcome you on behalf of the English Table Tennis Association to the opening event of the 2005/6 season, the City of Liverpool Butterfly Grand Prix.

The City of Liverpool has a long history of supporting table tennis at all levels, and with its reputation as a top destination for sporting achievement and culture I am sure you will have a fantastic weekend.

The Butterfly Grand Prix series continues to go from strength to strength, with participation and quality of play increasing with every event. Last season a nail biting finish in the Men's Open was only one of many highlights that sums up why the Butterfly Grand Prix format is a true success.

Time stops for no man and with two years as your Chairman I am hopefully the wiser and certainly a little older. My colleagues and I continue to make important changes that we believe will improve the sport at all levels.

With a significant restructure and refocus on departmental responsibilities we are now in great shape to push table tennis forward, working with you and on your behalf continuing to increase participation, performance, support and communications to membership.

Our funding benefactors, primarily Sport England, have increased their support of table tennis, and it is our responsibility to ensure that this money is used in the most effective manner to assist our existing members and encourage potential new ones. A number of reviews have taken place; many of the proposed actions are in place and these will continue on an ongoing basis.

Our major aims in the coming months include implementing the database of our membership via individual registration, revamping the website to make it more user friendly, improving Table Tennis News, a review of our competitions and events structure and a refocus of our coaching and development strategies. A review is also taking place of the ETTA "corporate image" which will improve the exposure of our sport.

The Grand Prix programme could not run without the help and support of many local volunteers, the Grand Prix Committee, referees and umpires, the tireless work of Mike Strode, the Grand Prix sponsors Butterfly, the ETTA Events Department of Harvey Webb, Daniel McLaren and Vanda Jones, and last but not least your support for the events.

I hope you have a great weekend both on and off the table and look forward to meeting you in Liverpool.