TTV: Tell us about the programs Melbourne Veterans Table Tennis Association run at MSAC - specifically the Catch-a-Match and Get FiTT social membership programs. How are they delivered?

MVTTA:

Get FiTT is a daytime activity of mainly doubles and some singles table tennis for social players. Men and women are systematically rotated throughout the 2 hours of play so that everyone gets to play with a variety of people. Coaching for players new to table tennis is also available.

Catch-a-Match is a program of best-of-three match play for whoever turns up on the day (even if you are late or need to leave early). Depending on numbers, everyone plays against everyone else. Individual results are posted on ongoing ladders – one for men and one for women. After 10 weeks finals are played and winners rewarded.

These programs are delivered by Melbourne Veterans Table Tennis Association (MVTTA) under the brand name of Central Melbourne Table Tennis. They run for 40 weeks of the year at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centres (MSAC) in Albert Park, a short trip by tram from Southern Cross station. The actual dates of play can be found on the MVTTA website.

Get FiTT – Wednesdays 10am to 12 midday

Current average weekly participation is 24 members

Catch-a-Match – Mondays 10am to 12 midday

Current average weekly participation is 16 members

The cost of each 2-hour session is $8 or $7.20 for those who pay by card. Participants will also need to be a member of a TTV affiliated club or join our club. The cost of Central Melbourne social membership is $45 per annum to cover insurance, equipment and a contribution towards Victorian and Australian table tennis.

TTV: What was the inspiration behind creating these particular programs?

MVTTA:

Get FiTT was developed originally in 2017 as WITT – Women in Table Tennis using funding from the Victorian Government to promote women in community sport. A recreational activity, WITT included singles, doubles and coaching.  Eventually, the friends and partners of our women participants wanted to join. We are inclusive, so we let them join and changed the name to WITT/MITT. At the end of last year, we started recruiting new members under the title Get FiTT. We have sustained women’s interest with current club membership of 45% women, 55% men, well above the Victorian and national averages.

Catch-a-Match evolved from Get FiTT after several players expressed a yearning for more social singles and/or competition.

TTV: What can participants expect to get out of the Catch a Match and Get FiTT Programs?

MVTTA:

Well, in our opinion table tennis is the number one recreational activity for everyone aged from 7 to 97.

The key ingredient is compact movement in a small space. The sport was invented in England as a “parlour game” for the lounge room more than 100 years ago. In our sedentary 21^st century lifestyles, we face a more compelling need to move, to get and stay fit and healthy. Table tennis movement can be energetic but is physically low impact for us social players.

In addition, table tennis is a strategic game and promotes concentration and thinking. It is considered to be superb for keeping the brain ticking over and warding off dementia.

Finally, you need opponents to play with and against. Gathering together in groups of 20 or so people, as we have in our club, ensures social interaction in a structured environment. We promote inclusivity, fair play and care for all.

TTV: Is there anything that makes these activities unique?

MVTTA:

I don’t think the activities are unique. Our social version is played out at grass roots level all over the world in some form or other. I think that for Victorian affiliated clubs formal social play has been less common with clubs concentrating primarily on pennant competition. Local exceptions are Keen Agers, first invented in Bairnsdale for over 50s and adopted widely in Victoria, and other women’s groups called FITT at Mornington/Frankston Association for example.

TTV: What is your vision for these programs and the MVTTA going forward?

MVTTA:

While continuing to grow participation numbers in Catch-a-Match and Get FiTT, this year our club has initiated a new social table tennis event at MSAC.

Lightning League – Tuesday 6:00pm to 9:00pm.

The purpose behind Lightning League is to provide social players a pathway into competition play.  Activities include coaching by accredited coaches, mentoring with competition veterans, short term competitions, handicap and knockout tournaments, and learning rules, regulations and fair play behaviour.

Our target demographic is younger people in the Port Phillip Council area.

We are also thinking of running a competition event for aging competition veteran players only. We see a gap in pennant competition for these experienced and cunning players who do get worn out keeping up with players 20 or 30 years younger.

TTV: Is there a possibility of new programs being developed?

MVTTA:

Yes, we intend to launch a new social Get FiTT/coaching program on Thursday mornings in May. Thursdays are more suitable for some members.

We also wish to attract a Special Olympics cohort as several of our current members would qualify for SO participation.

TTV: How does a potential participant sign up for the Catch-a-Match and Get-Fitt Programs?

MVTTA:

The information for all activity play dates, Lightning League events and joining our club is at Central Melbourne Table Tennis

You are welcome to Come-And-Try on any date that an activity is scheduled. We can sign you up in person if that is more suitable for you.

For further information contact:

Catch-a-Match:                      Robert 0422 380 688 robertk36@hotmail.com

Lightning League/Get FiTT:  Daisy   0418 337 205  daisyobryan@gmail.com

Get FiTT Thursday (in May): Candy  0407 811 970  candy@candymaughan.com