Richard Yule
Born in Aberdeen in 1950
In the 1970’s Richard worked for S.W. Hancock run by Johnny Leach
manufacturing Table Tennis bats.
Richard’s first senior cap was in 1970 against Wales.
From 1971 Richard studied languages at Edinburgh University, and at
the Sorbonne in Paris, Richard studied French Language and Civilisation.
In 1982 he left Jordonhill College of Education with a Bed Hons in
Physical Education.
In 1971 Richard won the Scottish Universities Men’s Singles title but lost
in the final of the British Universities Championships to Tony Clayton of
England after beating Graham Davies of Wales in the Semi-Final.
In the same year Richard coached at Butlins Clacton for the Summer.
At the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in Cardiff Richard
won the Bronze medal in the Men’s Singles.
Richard was part of the Scottish team that won the team event at the 1974
Spanish Open. Richard went on to win the Men’s Singles and the Mixed
Doubles with Grace McKay.
In 1975 while playing for A.S. Messine (TTC) he started a rare treble by
winning the French National League, the English National League with
Sealink Milton Keynes in 1980 and the Scottish national League with
Aberdeen in 1982.
In 1989 Richard was the Non-Playing Captain of the Scottish Women’s
Team that won the Bronze at Commonwealth Table Tennis
Championships at Cardiff.
Richard retired from playing at National level in 1985 in which time he
had amassed 285 Scotland caps. This was a record at the time for a
Scottish Sportsman. He had played in 6 World Championships, 7
European Championships and 6 Commonwealths. Chester Barnes, Nicky
Jarvis and Dennis Neale were all England’s No1 when they were defeated
by Richard. He worked in Edinburgh for the Scottish Sports Council
before becoming the Director of Coaching and Development for the
Scottish Table Tennis Association. From 1995 until he retired in 2013
Richard was the Chief Executive of the English Table Tennis
Association. He was also elected to be a Director of C.C.P.R. in July
2005 for a two year term and was re-elected in 2007.
Scottish Open
Mixed Doubles Champion in 1972,1973 and 1975 all with
Elaine (Smith) Forbes.
Scottish National Championships
Men’s Singles 1971 & 1972 and from 1975 through to 1980
Men’s Doubles 1972, 1974, 1975 to 1978, 1980, 1981 and 1985
Partners included Bert Kerr, Patrick Forker, John McNee(3),
John Moir, and John Broe(3).
Mixed Doubles 1975 through to 1980 and 1982
Partners included Elaine (Smith) Forbes(2), Patrice Fleming(2)
and Carole Dalrymple(3).
Richard received the Harry Baxter award in 1989 for services to
Scottish Table Tennis.
Richard remains the International Relations Director for the
Swathling Club.
In 2012 Richard was conferred by Table Tennis Scotland with
the title of Honorary Vice President.
In 2013 Richard was presented with the Award of Merit from
the I.T.T.F. at their AGM in Paris.
In 2014 Richard was appointed Chief Operating Officer for
Table Tennis Scotland.