TERRY GADSBY

Terry Gadsby
President
 
Terry was born in 1930 and was attracted to table tennis in 1944, at the local Working Mens Club, Youth Section. Shortly after he reached the semi finals of the Burton League Junior Championships, without any form of coaching. However, in 1946 he was introduced to rowing and this became his main sport. After a successful rowing career, followed by many years administrative and organizing work, he decided he had put a lot into the sport and would now transfer his main efforts into table tennis, whilst still retaining a small involvement in rowing.
In the past he was one of Burton’s better players but went out of the game for about 15, years, due to National Service and rowing commitments. He came back into table tennis in about 1976, playing in the 6th Division of the Burton League and progressed through to the top division. In about 1982 he became a qualified ETTA Coach and has been active ever since, although very little at present due to health reasons. Over the years he has coached many players, with a lot becoming Nationally Ranked and about 25 representing the County. Many of them become County Champions and 3 experienced International Competition with England and the Bahamas.
Since returning to table tennis, Terry became Chairman, Secretary, Coaching Officer, V, President and Life Member of the Burton Senior League. He served on the Derbyshire Committee for many years and was their representative on the National Council.
He went on to become Chairman of the East Midlands and served on the ETTA National Development Committee. In 1984 he launched the Uxbridge Table Tennis Club in a disused school, in collaboration with the East Staffordshire Youth and Community Service. Outside of table tennis, Terry serves on the East Staffordshire Sports Council, the East Staffordshire Volunteers Forum and the Burton Regatta Committee. He is a V. President of the Trent Rowing Club and the Burton Albion Football Club, who he has supported since they were formed. Other sporting involvements include being the fastest swimmer at school, being a founder member of the Burton Judo Club and representing his RAF Station at Cross Country Running and RAF Maintenance Command at Rowing.