Table Tennis club upholds a long tradition
Yerren van Sint Annaland (left) pits his formidable swing against his father René in a recent match. Photo: Gerard Hindmarsh.
Above the door in the Puramahoi Hall you will find a plaque commemorating 50 years of table tennis played under its roof—and that was put up 15 years ago.
Table tennis has been a long tradition in Golden Bay, and, in its heyday, even turned out two New Zealand women champions, Jocelyn Sara and Margaret Ward-Holmes (now khown as Margie Little). Back then, over two dozen regulars would turn up to play during the winter season, but it would be fair to say that today the Golden Bay Table Tennis Club could do with some more players.
Club secretary René van Sint Annaland says the club is very open to newcomers.
“We’re a little club with the best equipment, nine tables in total. No one is committed to turning up all the time—just when it suits, and it’s basically just a gold coin to participate.”
The club’s Thursday evening session is still held at Puramahoi Hall, but Tuesday evening is now the club’s main evening at the Takaka Primary School Hall, from 8pm to 10pm. Coaching sessions are held on Tuesdays from 3.30 to 5pm (term 3 in Puramahoi Hall, term 4 in Takaka Primary hall). Once a year, around October, an in-club tournament is held to sort out and recognise the top players. Currently the youngest member of the club is six and the eldest 60.
Club captain Klaus Wagmann says it is a sport that can be played at any age.
“It’s even been proved to be beneficial to improving brainwork. A lot of people may be tempted to stay home around the fire in winter, but there’s nothing like a game of table tennis to warm you up. Everyone is welcome!”
Interested in playing table tennis? Ring René at 525 7127.
Gerard Hindmarsh
