The 2026 Table Tennis Victoria Junior Leaders Program officially began yesterday with an exciting and engaging first session hosted at the innovative Infosys Living Labs. 

The day kicked off with a warm welcome from representatives of Infosys, Table Tennis Victoria, and Table Tennis Australia, setting the tone for a program designed to inspire the next generation of leaders within the Victorian table tennis community. 

To start the session, participants had the opportunity to explore some of the incredible technology developed by Infosys. The juniors immersed themselves in a virtual world through Virtual Reality tennis experiences inspired by the Australian Open, even finding themselves playing in futuristic stadiums - including one set on Mars. The activity showcased how technology and sport can combine to create exciting new fan experiences. 

Following the interactive technology session, the group took part in a collaborative problem-solving workshop with the Infosys Wongdoody design team. The session challenged the Junior Leaders to think critically about one of the biggest questions facing the sport today: why are there so many fans of table tennis, yet comparatively few club members?Through discussion and creative thinking, the group explored ways clubs can better engage fans and turn interest in the sport into active participation. 

The day concluded with a final brainstorming session where participants began developing ideas for individual club projects. Over the course of the program, each Junior Leader will design and implement a project at their club aimed at improving the club environment and growing participation. These projects will allow the juniors to apply what they learn throughout the program while making a meaningful impact within their local table tennis communities. 

A total of 10 Junior Leaders aged 12-17 attended the first session, representing clubs from across Victoria including Western Table Tennis, Coburg, Mornington, Dandenong, and LOOPs. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and willingness to contribute ideas made for a fantastic start to the program. 

We are excited to see what innovative projects the Junior Leaders will develop throughout the year and how they will help strengthen table tennis at their clubs. 

The next in-person session will take place mid-year at the Victorian Institute of Sport, where participants will continue building their leadership and development skills. 

A big thank you to our partners at Infosys for hosting the group and helping make this valuable opportunity possible. Their support plays a key role in empowering the next generation of leaders in our sport.