In the quiet heart of Deloraine, nestled in the Meander Valley Performing Arts Centre (also known as the ‘Little Theatre’) the Deloraine Table Tennis League has been creating a lively community space for 30 years. Led by club president Chris Gard, this community-focused league has evolved beyond table tennis to include bocce—a Paralympic sport that brings additional diversity to the club’s offerings. Gard is captivated by both sports’ potential to bring people together.
“What I love is the connection it fosters,” he explains. Table tennis is “a sport anyone can play at any level, where you can talk and engage with others while you play. That’s something many other sports don’t offer.” This spirit of inclusivity has transformed the Deloraine Table Tennis League into one of Tasmania’s largest clubs, boasting four times the membership of larger nearby locations, such as Launceston. The club’s focus on recreation and community draws in beginners and seasoned players alike, appealing to those who value sport as a way to relax, have fun, and meet people rather than pursue elite competition.
The club has grown significantly in recent years, expanding from fewer than 20 players at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to nearly 70 members today. A variety of programs run weekly, each designed to serve different segments of the community. A Wednesday night team-based competition from 7:00 to 9:00 pm is the club’s central event, where players of all abilities can come together. Gard highlights the inclusive atmosphere: “We have everyone from top-level players who could compete anywhere in Tasmania to absolute beginners.”
A lot of people we find who come here have not played sport at all, didn’t think they could, and very quickly they find they can enjoy it.
Additionally, the club hosts a Thursday after-school program from 3pm to 5pm, which continues year-round. While primarily aimed at school-aged children, it also welcomes players with disabilities, creating a setting where everyone can play side by side. The club has even invested in a table tennis robot and a virtual reality (VR) headset—funded by grants, including a council grant. These tools help younger players experience table tennis in new ways, potentially inspiring them to pursue the sport outside of VR.
Sunday afternoons from 3pm to 5pm offer practice sessions open to the entire community, with families increasingly taking advantage of the time as a way to bond over a low-cost activity. Participation fees are kept minimal, with players paying a gold coin on Thursdays and Sundays, and $2 for school-aged participants or $5 for adults on Wednesday nights. “With the rising cost of living, we’ve carved out a niche as an affordable, accessible sport where people can feel welcome, regardless of experience or skill level,” Gard says.
The club’s reach extends beyond Deloraine. Once a month, Deloraine Table Tennis League competes against other clubs like the Port Sorell Table Tennis Club, attracting around 30 players from various parts of Tasmania, including Devonport, Burnie, and Launceston. The club also co-hosts the Tasmanian Championships each February with Port Sorrell and recently hosted the Tasmanian Primary Schools Championships, where Deloraine Primary School shone, winning three out of four divisions.
Looking to the future, Gard expresses contentment with the club’s current size, acknowledging the challenges faced by volunteer-run organisations as they grow. “Any bigger, and it would be hard to manage,” he notes. Like many community organisations, the club grapples with finding reliable volunteers, and Gard recognises that the Deloraine Table Tennis League is only a few key individuals away from struggling. However, by positioning itself as a community club rather than purely a sporting club, it has attracted a few young members willing to step into leadership roles.
Gard’s pride in the Meander Valley is evident—especially in his favourite corner of the region, Weegena, where he lives. “Every time I come back here, I think: ‘this is the best part of Tassie’,” he says with a smile. For Gard and his club members, Deloraine Table Tennis League is more than a place to play; it’s a thriving community within one of Tasmania’s most cherished regions.
