2020 has been tough year for sport and for table tennis. With no tournaments or events for the majority of the year the Table Tennis Victoria staff and board have not had many opportunities to attend events and interact with our members.

We have taken this chance to ask our team and board five fast questions to get to know them a little better, what their goals for table tennis are and some interesting things you may not have known about them.

This week we get to know our Chair, Jack Cyngler.

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

"I am the principal in the law firm CKL Lawyers, we provide services covering a wide range of areas such as, Business Law-purchase and sales of business, Building Disputes, Conveyancing, Corporation Law and Non-Profits-Constitutional requirements, Employment Law, Defamation, Family Law, Leases-Commercial and Retail, Litigation, Shareholder Agreements and Sports Law.

"I began practicing law in 1983 and established the firm Cyngler & Co in 1987 and later merged with Kaye Levy & Co in 2004.

"I'm married with three children, I'm a passionate Saints supporter and the Chair of TTV and the former Maccabi Table Tennis Club President"

2. What brought you to TTV?

"In essence, I have a love for the game as a player and am very interested in the development of the game. I particularly enjoy engaging with people from diverse backrounds, both professionally and personally.

"I have had a long history with Table Tennis, both as player and administrator. I represented Victoria on two occasions as a Junior. Whilst I have lost some of my speed around the court, I still enjoy competitive table tennis!

"I was an Honorary Solicitor in the 90’s for TTV. Between about 2000 and 2019 initially I served as Vice- President, then as President of the Maccabi Table Tennis Club for about 10 years.

"I joined the TTV Board approximately 6 years ago, and for the past two years have served as Chair."

3. What are your goals for TTV?

"To guide the sport of Table Tennis through our Strategic Plan to enhance the three Ps - Participatoion, High Performance and raise our Profile.

"I would like to see us break new ground moving into non- traditional areas, such as the Pub league, the Corporate Cup and reinvigorate our schools and Spinaroos programs and at the same time assist our Affiliates in benefiting from these new markets."

4. What do you find rewarding and challenging about serving on the board of an SSO?

"As Table Tennis is both a Commonwealth Games and Olympic Sport, it provides us a with a significant opportunity to develop new markets.

"We are also part of a significant network through membership of the ITTF. This provides our elite athletes with the opportunity for a higher profile and enhanced performance. Covid-19 asside, I am excited for the opportunites we have as sport played by so many people in Australia, Asia and Europe."

5. What would you say to the TTV members during this time?

"Be well and stay safe during this difficult period. Our staff at TTV led by our CEO, Ritchie Hinton, and our Board are here to serve you.

"Please let us know if you require any assistance or information. We hope to hear from you soon and see you back on the tables as soon as possible."