On the first Saturday of every month, players from across the north of Tasmania converge on either Deloraine or Port Sorell for a “scramble.” In a table tennis scramble, players play a series of friendly matches – singles and doubles – rotating partners and opponents so that everyone gets to play with and against different people (at their level).
Deloraine and Port Sorell table tennis clubs began the monthly scramble two years ago to provide more opportunities for players to meet and grow their game. Since then, the scramble has only grown in popularity. It now involves players from clubs across the north of the state. Young and old. Co-ed. All abilities. Seasonal workers and seasoned players. A scramble community.
Letter to the Editor
The most striking thing about our “scramble” is the sound: laughter. The call and answer of laughter in rhythm with the metronomic ping of the ball. Joy and light.
This year the monthly scrambles are held on the first Saturday of the month to coincide with the wonderful Deloraine Markets – players coming to Deloraine can make a day of it by visiting the market first (at the showgrounds) and then play table tennis in the afternoon. What fun!
Our first scramble this year was on Saturday 5th April. 30 players across five levels spent the afternoon in table tennis heaven. A shout-out to our club’s volunteers who helped make the day a success: Ajay Barnard, Robin Foster, Sonny Misale, Josh Streets, and Eli Foster. And congratulations to the following outstanding Deloraine players: Ajay Barnard, Matthew Halkett, Heidi Woolridge, Ravi Kannangara, and Alisha Harker.
Table tennis is one of the most played sports in the world (it’s the only sport played competitively in every single country) and for good reason. Table tennis is precision, speed, and strategy. Table tennis is safe, cheap, and healthy. Table tennis is all-weather, all-abilities, and lifelong. But above all table tennis is fun. “Table tennis makes me happy.”
This year, Deloraine is hosting the Tasmanian Primary Schools Championship in October. In the lead up, we will be running three weeks of table tennis coaching in local primary schools and a mini tournament for each school to choose their school champions. Last year, Deloraine players filled six of the eight finals positions in the Primary Schools Championship.
In Deloraine we play table tennis (and boccia) year-round at the Meander Valley Performing Arts Centre (“the little theatre”). Come and have a looksie on Wednesday night (7-9pm) or Thursday after school (3-5pm) or Sunday (3-5pm). We love beginners. All equipment is supplied, and coaching is available.
