This tournament first started in 2003 and has been played every year with the exception of 2017.
This year there were 18 competitors in the Open Singles.
Fiona Zhai (from China studying in Wellington) beat Yang Low 3-0 in one semi-final. Yang had beaten Dave Cheung 3-1 in his quarterfinal.
Rob Chung beat Min Su 3-1 sets in the other semi-final. In their quarterfinals, Min Su had a very close 3-2 sets win against Martin Young and Rob beat Zhidong Yu 3-1.
In the final, Rob upset Fiona in a close match 3-2 (9-11, 11-7, 11-9, 3-11, 11-9).
In a playoff for 3rd/4th, Yang beat Min 3-0 .
There were 4 women in the Womens singles – Fiona Zhai, Xiaoping Lu, Qing Lan Feng, and Ling Wang. A round robin was played with Fiona comfortably winning. Qing Lan Feng came 2nd with 2 wins and Ling Wang was 3rd with 1 win.
Thanks to Stephen Wang, Chairperson of the Wellington New Chinese Friendship Association and Min/Rob/Martin for running the tournament on the day!
Wellington were represented by a Men’s Team, Women’s Team, Under 15 Girls Team and a Under 13 Boys Team at the tournament held at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre in Tauranga. Sean Hanson was the main junior coach supported by Martyn Barry, Tim Wilson (ITTF Level 1 Coach) and James Wang (ITTF Level 1 Coach).
Table Tennis Wellington President, Malcolm Wong (International Umpire, National Referee, ITTF Level 1 Coach), was one of two Referees at the tournament and he was there for the whole 8 days of the tournament. This is the fourth time the tournament has been held in Tauranga (previously in 1970, 1973 and 1976). There were 18 tables with a canteen run by Nomad Food and Wine from 10am to 6pm.
Under 15 Girls Team
The Under 15 Girls Team (Mei Mun Teh, Erin Huang, Anna Wilson) easily won all their 4 matches, in a round robin, to win the Grade. They all have another year in the Under 15 grade and will be able to defend their title next year. Their result summary:
v Waitemata 5-2
v Canterbury 5-2
v Otago 6-1
v Hawke’s Bay 7-0
SinglesMei Mun Teh 7/8 Anna Wilson 7/8 Erin Huang 5/8 DoublesHuang/Teh 1/1 Teh/Wilson 2/2 Huang/Wilson 1/1
Yashka Rabichand (Wellington) was a draft player for the Southland Girls Under 18 Team which finished 3rd. She won 4 out of her 8 singles. Yashka has another year in the Under 15 grade.
Under 13 Boys Team
The Under 13 Boys (Yufeng Wang, Aaron Lan, Tom Christie, Ben Riddell) were second in group 1B and qualified for the Semi-Finals where they lost to Auckland. In the playoff for third/fourth place against Canterbury they reversed the result of their group clash and won 4-3 with Tom Christie winning the deciding match against Jayden Ralston 3-0 (11-9 11-8 12-10). This is Tom and Ben’s last year in the Under 13’s while Yufeng and Aaron have two more years. Their result summary:
Group 1B v Canterbury 2-5
Group 1B v Auckland B 5-2
Group 1B v Waitako 6-1
Semi-Finals v Auckland 0-4
3/4 playoff v Canterbury 4-3
SinglesYufeng Wang 6/8, Aaran Lan 4/8, Tom Christie 3/7, Ben Riddle 1/4 DoublesChristie/Riddle 0/1, Lan/Wang 2/2, Christie/Wang 1/2
Yufeng Wang was runner up in the Under 11 Boy’s Singles won by Timothy Choi (Auckland) 3-0 (11-9 11-2 11-3) and the Under 11 Boy’s Doubles (with Aaron Lan) won by Allen Zhu/Timothy Choi (Auckland) 3-1 (11-4 10-12 11-7 11-7).
The Junior Individuals needed an extra day as they finished at 9.30 pm (8 Oct) and 10.20pm (9 Oct). This is far too late for juniors to be still playing.
Women’s Team
The Women’s Team (Ye Zhai, Lisa Yue, Manon Soury-Lavergne (Draft – NCL)) won their grading match against Waitako 4-3 to qualify for the A Grade where they finished 4th.
The Team found the going tough in A Grade with Ye Zhai still winning 5 Singles. Lisa Yue’s singles and double win (with Ye Zhai) in the grading match against Waitako and in the A Grade match against Southland ensured Wellington two wins.
Ye Zhai (6th seed) beat 2nd seed Jenny Hung (Canterbury) in the quarter finals of Women Singles 4-1 (8-11 11-7 11-6 11-8 11-8) and reached the final where she lost to the top seed Tianyi Li (Auckland) 4-0 (11-6 11-4 11-8 11-4). Tianyi Li won the Women Singles for the 5th year in a row. Ye Zhai/Lisa Yue were semi finalist in the Women Doubles losing to Jenny Hung/Avon Liu (Canterbury) 3-0 (11-2 12-10 11-3).
Men’s Team
The Men’s Team (James Harter, Yang Low, Paul Solt) placed 2nd in 2B Grade. Paul Solt won a crucial match against Simon Luo (Auckland Senior Men Red) 3-2 (4-11 9-11 11-9 11-8 11-3). Yang Low had three 2-3 losses. James Harter was in impressive form winning 9 out of his 10 singles which kept the team in contention in all their matches.
They lost in the semi finals to Waitemata 2 and in the 3/4 playoff to Nelson. Against Nelson two close matches went to Nelson making the difference.
Group 2B v Auckland Senior Men Red 4-3
Group 2B v Otago 4-3
Group 2B v Manawatu 2 3-4
Semi-Final v Waitemata 2 2-4
3/4 playoff v Nelson 3-4
SinglesJames Harter 9/10 Yang Low 4/6 Paul Solt 1/9 DoublesHarter/Low 2/5
Yang Low was a semi finalist in the Men’s B Grade Singles. He beat the C Grade Men’s Singles winner, Jack Chen (Auckland) in the Quarter Finals 3-2 (11-5 8-11 11-8 10-12 13-11) before losing to Mark Page (Waitako) 3-0 (11-4 11-4 14-12). Yang won the C Grade Men’s Doubles with Jimmy Caunter (Waitako) against David Jarvis (Bay of Plenty)/Paul Kyle (Waitako) 3-0 (11-5 11-5 13-11) who had previously won the NZ D Grade Men’s Doubles in 2015.
There was a lack of qualified umpires to umpire in the afternoon final session. The players who made themselves available to umpire were of a good standard. Paul Solt umpired the Men’s Singles Final.
Thanks to all the officials who ran the tournament. John Lea (Tournament Director), Paul Henderson (Deputy Tournament Director), Ron Garrett (Tournament Referee – Juniors), Malcolm Wong (Tournament Referee – Seniors), Grant Wilson (Media & Broadcast Liaison), Matthew Hetherington (Media & Promotion), Christine Young (Tournament Controller) and Jessica Macaskill (Tournament Controller).
A social dinner was held at the nearby Daniels in the Park on the last night and the TTNZ Annual Awards were announced.
-Malcolm Wong
Under 15 Girls Team medal presentation
L->R: Gary Williams (TTNZ Chairman),
Lydia Mercer-Beumelburg, Vanessa Wood-lin, Aarya Advilkar (Canterbury – Silver), Anna Wilson, Erin Huang, Mei Mun Teh (Wellington – Gold)
Under 13 Boys Team medal presentation
L->R: Gary Williams (TTNZ Chairman), Ben Riddell, Aaran Lan, Tom Christie, Yufeng Wang (Wellington – Bronze), Keanu King, Robert Zhung, Alex Liu Cao, Leo Mamedov, Timothy Choi (Auckland – Gold), Ingamar Siegruhn, Andrei Casareo, Finn Brown, (Southland – Silver).
New Zealand Women’s Singles
L->R: Gary Williams (TTNZ Chairman), Ye Zhai, Tianyi Li (A), Jin (Kim) Wang (A), Liting Guo (NL)
New Zealand Women Doubles
L->R: Gary Williams (TTNZ Chairman),
Avon Liu & Jenny Hung (C), Jin (Kim) Wang & Tianyi Li (A), Lisa Yue & Ye Zhai.
NZ C Grade Men’s Doubles Champions Yang Low and Jimmy Caunter (WK)
NZ B Grade Men’s Singles
L->R: Gary Williams (TTNZ Chairman),
Mark Page (WK), Jun Tamaura (A), Jessie Wilson (C), Yang Low
Yufeng Wang (Silver Medal – Under 11 Boys Singles and Doubles) and Aaran Lan (Silver Medal – Under 11 Boys Doubles)
OPEN 7:00pm, OPEN from 6:40pm or call the stadium 04 568 6054 if late or can’t make it (or pre-arrange with us if at all possible). Group play to start soon after.
FORMAT Each Wednesday round-robin groups for singles matches will be formed semi-randomly. Afterwards are doubles-play bonus points. A combination of skill & luck will determine your destiny.
DIVISIONS The number of distinct grade divisions will depend on the entry count.
POINTS One point per opponent you beat in the round-robin group plus bonuses below.
TERMINATOR BONUS One bonus point for the winner of each round-robin group.
BEING-THERE BONUS Two bonus points for each competition night you complete.
BUDDY BONUS Up to one bonus point each competition night for winning at least one doubles match. To get a BUDDY BONUS point you must win any doubles match:
With any player from any group as a partner so long as all four players must have completed their round-robin groups.
The match is the best of 3 games by mutual agreement.
While you can’t earn more than one BUDDY BONUS each Wednesday you can play as many doubles matches as you like for the benefit of your partner(s) or for your own amusement until we kick you out.
PIED PIPER BONUS For each affiliated player you bring to play who hasn’t played TTW interclub in the last five years (or ever) both that player & you get a two point bonus (only one ‘bringer’ per player).
TTNZ (and us) are pleased to announce that Hui-Ling Vong has been selected by TTNZ to represent New Zealand in the Junior Girls Team to the 2018 World Junior Championships to be held in Bendigo, Australia from 2nd to 9th December.
Best of luck and success to Hui-Ling from all of us for both the upcoming Youth Olympic Games and well as the following World Junior Championships!
Speaking of national events I have a report from Malcolm Wong on the 2018 South Island Championships held earlier on July 7-8:
There were 104 players at the tournament in Christchurch. Fiona Zhai Ye, Lisa Yue and Andrew Maguire travelled from Wellington.
Fiona Zhai Ye became the first TT Wellington(*) player to win the South Island Women Singles when she won all her matches ( round robin of 5) from Mimi Walle (C), Shelley Smith (S), Lisa Yue and Anny Li (A). (*)Previous winners from Hutt Valley were Raewyn Young (1993) and Sabine Westenra (1995).
Lisa Yue and FionaZhaiYe were runner up in the Women Doubles to Shelley Smith/Mimi Walle 3-0 (11-6 11-6 14-12). Lisa Yue with Hongyi Li (C) were runner up in the Mixed Doubles to Ivo Mikulec (C)/Mimi Walle 3-1 (6-11 11-5 11-7 11-5).
Andrew Maguire with Shelley Smith were runner up in the Over 30 Mixed Doubles to Yikai Tian (C)/Akiko Goto (C) 3-1 (11-6 11-6 8-11 11-5). Andrew with Dave Samson (C) were runner up in the Over 40 Men’s Doubles to Abhay Joshi (C)/ Lyndon White (C) 3-0 (11-5 11-3 11-8). In the Over 30 Men’s Singles (Round robin of three) Andrew lead the winner Vladmir Ivanov (C) 2-0 before losing 3-2 (8-11 9-11 11-4 11-7 11-4).
– Malcolm Wong (South Island Championships report)
You are all welcome to attend an open-to-all umpiring course run by Malcolm Wong on Sunday the 23rd of September from 1-3pm at the Table Tennis Wellington Stadium in Newtown (after Titan club).
Please RSVP to me if you can come so we get an idea in advance of a head count.
Malcolm will cover material relating to basic, junior, and regional umpiring courses.
North Island Open Mixed Doubles Champions Sean Hanson and Fiona Zhai Ye.
Wellington won 10 gold medals achieved in the Open (1), Grades (1), Juniors (3), and Veterans (5). In the Open events Wellington had success in the Mixed Doubles where Sean Hanson and Fiona Zhai Ye beat Yuhan Gao (North Shore)/Hui-Ling Vong 3-0 (12-10 11-7 11-5). This was the Wellington area’s first victory in the Open Mixed Doubles since Shane Laugeson (A) and Tracey McLauchlan (HV) won in 2001. Hui-Ling Vong was runner up in the Women Singles to Jin (Kim) Wang (Auckland) 4-2 (11-13 11-3 11-7 13-15 11-4 11-5. Vong had defeated fellow Wellington player Fiona Zhai Ye in the semi finals 4-3 (12-14 11-7 11-6 11-7 9-11 10-12 13-11). In the Men’s Doubles Sean Hanson/Dinyar Irani (A) were runner up to Kelsey Amor/Victor Pollett (WT). In the Women Doubles Fiona Zhai Ye/ Lisa Yue were runner up to Jin (Kim) Wang/Tianyu Zhang (A) who won 3-0 (12-10 11-7 11-5).
In the B Grade Men’s Singles James Harter was runner up to Mark Page (WK) who won 3-1. Together they won the B Grade Men’s Doubles against Depak Patel/Yang Low 3-0 (11-5 11-4 11-8). Yang Low won a bronze medal in the B Grade Singles, losing in the semi finals to James Harter 3-1 (11-9 11-9 5-11 11-8). Darrell Brown had upset Yang Low in B Grade Group play 3-0 (13-11 11-9 11-9). Martin Young won a bronze medal for reaching the semi finals of the C Grade Men’s Singles, losing to Jimmy Caunter 3-0 (11-7 11-9 11-4). In the Women C Grade Doubles Anna Wilson/Erin Huang were runner up to Emily Jin/Minette Whitehead (WK) 3-0 (11-7 11-9 11-9).
In the Juniors, Hui-Ling Vong won the Under 18 Girl’s Singles defeating Zhiying Cheng (NS) 3-0 (11-5 11-8 12-10). This is the first Wellington victory in the U18 Girls Singles since Michelle McCarthy won in 2005. In the Under 15 Girls’s Doubles Mei Mun Teh with Vanessa Wood-Lin (ML) won the round robin (3 pairs) with the crucial match against Emily Jin / Minette Whitehead (WK) won 3-2 (10-12 11-4 11-7 8-11 12-10).
Aaron Lan won the Under 11 Singles (round robin of 3) upsetting Yufeng Wang in the crucial match 3-0 (13-11 11-9 11-7). Yufeng Wang was runner up in the Under 13 Boys Singles to Alex Liu Cao who won 3-1 (8-11 11-4 11-3 11-5) and in the Under 13 Combined Doubles with Tomos Christie.
Depak Patel won the Over 40 men’s Singles against Miko Kirschbaum (MN) 3-2 (7-11 10-12 11-6 11-5 11-5). This was his third win as he had previously won in 2006 and 2009. Martin Young won the Over 60 Combined Singles for the first time by beating Dave Scott (BP) in the last round 3-1 (8-11 11-5 12-10 14-12). Both made 4 wins and a loss. As Martin had beaten Dave he won the gold. Martin’s only loss was to Malcolm Wong who won 3-1 (14-12 11-6 9-11 11-8).
Bryan McConnochie won the Over 65 Combined Singles (Round Robin) by defeating Dave Scott (BP) 3-2 (15-13 5-11 10-12 11-4 11-9). This was his third win as he had previously won in 2015 and 2016. Bryan also won the Over 70 Combined Singles for the first time by defeating Jim Jarmin (MN) 3-0 (11-6 11-4 11-5).
In the Over 30 Men’s Doubles Harry Chen/Martin Young were runner up to Andrew Leonard (WK)/ Tim Seaholme (MN) 3-2 (12-10 3-11 11-6 6-11 11-5). The Over 40 Men’s Doubles Final was won by David Jarvis (BP)/ Paul Kyle (WK) who beat Darrell Brown/Depak Patel 3-2 (9-11 11-8 5-11 13-11 11-5). The Over 50 Men’s Doubles was won by Harry Chen with Paul Whitehead (WK) who won against David Jarvis (BP)/Paul Kyle (WK) 3-0 (11-5 11-5 11-8). The Over 60 Men’s Doubles was won by Russell Winkley (HB)/ Dave Scott (BP) who defeated Malcolm Wong/Martin Young 3-0 (11-4 12-10 11-2).
North Island Under 18 Girls Singles Champion – Hui-Ling VongNorth Island Under 11 Boys Singles Champion Aaron LanUnder 15 Girls Doubles Champions – Mei Mun Teh and Vanessa Wood-Lin (ML)Martin Young, Harry Chen and Malcolm Wong
Martin Young won the Over 60 Singles, runner up in the Over 30 and Over 60 Men’s Doubles and a bronze in the C Grade Men’s Singles. Harry Chen won Over 50 Men’s Doubles and was runner up in the Over 30 men’s Doubles. Malcolm Wong was runner up in the Over 60 Men’s Doubles.
North Island Over 65 and Over 70 Men’s Singles Champion Bryan McConnochie
Daniel Rosner, Harry Chen and Ian Talbot were Wellington’s three representatives at the 19th World Veterans Championships (18-24 June) in Las Vegas, NV (USA). Ian Talbot was the only player to make the main draw in the singles. He lost to the winner Jianjiang Huang (CHN) in group play and to the semi-finalist Zhang Hua Pang (CAN) 2-3 in the second round of the main draw. Ian Talbot and Harry Chen qualified for the main draw of the Over 55 Men’s Doubles but had to default when their match was changed from Thursday to Friday as Harry had left Las Vegas.
Daniel Rosner in Over 40 Mens Singles Group action Harry Chen – Over 55 Men’s Singles Group 106 Ian Talbot and Harry Chen – Over 55 Men’s Doubles Group 28Ian Talbot with Zhan Hua Pang (CAN)
Malcolm Wong wins 4 Doubles Events and reaches 100 Tournament Titles
Mark Nalder and Malcolm Wong – Nelson Open Over 50 and Over 60 Men’s Doubles winners. They have won 24 Doubles Titles together.
The tournament was held at Saxton Stadium in Stoke, Nelson. There were 30 Males
(1 junior) and 7 Females (no juniors) playing on the Saturday. On the Sunday there were 13 juniors, including 1 girl. Malcolm Wong, Paul Solt and Andrew Maguire were the Wellington players in this event.
Malcolm with Mark Nalder (N) won the Over 50 Men’s Doubles against Alister Morice (C)/ Phil Osborne (N) 3-1 (-3 11 9 6) and the Over 60 Men’s Doubles final against Graeme Mathieson/Gary Basher (N) 3-0 (9 8 4). Malcolm with Glenda Ferguson (N) were runner up in the Over 40 Mixed Doubles to Daniel Astle(N)/Mimi Walle (C) 0-3 and they won the Over 60 Mixed Doubles against Peter Welsh (ML)/Melody Nicholls (N) 3-0 (7 6 -4 4). Malcolm, with Melody Nicholls (N) won the Over 50 Mixed Double against David Watson/Debbie Watson (N) 3-0 (6 8 9). He was also semi finalist in the Over 40 Men’s Doubles, Over 50 and Over 60 Men’s Singles. In winning the 4 doubles titles Malcolm has reached 100 Tournament Titles. It takes his Nelson Titles to 30 and it was also his 10th Nelson Over 50 Men’s Doubles Title. Malcolm’s first title was the 1995 Wellington Regional Men’s Over 40 Men’s Doubles with the late John Lelliott where they defeated Adrian Lust/Nha Nguyen.
Paul Solt won the Second Grade Singles defeating Phil Osborne (N) 3-0 (11 9 9).
These two were in the Wellington College Table Tennis Team in the late 1970s. Paul was also a semi finalist in the Men’s Singles losing to the winner Jessie Wilson 0-4. He defeated this year’s Marlborough Open Men’s Singles winner, Nathan Watson, in group play 3-0 (11 7 7).
Paul with Andrew Maguire were runner up in the Second Grade Men’s Doubles to Phil Osborne/Alan Vigar (N) who won 3-1 (8 -3 7 7) and in the Over 40 Men’s Double to Daniel Astle/Paul Op den Buysch (N) who won 3-2 (-7 -6 6 5 9).
Andrew Maguire was unfortunate to play Paul Solt 3 times in the singles (once in MS Group and in knockout in the 2nd Grade (SF) and O40 MS (QF)), with Paul wining each time. This should not have happened as they were the only two Wellington players in those events. They should not be in the same group in the MS and should have been on the opposite side of the draw for the knockout in the 2nd Grade and O40 MS). Andrew’s best win was beating the Over 50 Men’s Singles winner Phil Osborne in the last 16 of the O40 Men’s Singles 3-1 (8 -5 10 7).
Series 2 of Winter Interclub finished recently. Premier played for the Brian Hearfield Trophy for Series 1 but for series 2, the Tommy Williams Cup was at stake. The Empire Enforcers retained the Cup by beating a Waterloo/Titan composite team 7-3 in the final. The same four players (Bruno Omizu, james Harter, Daniel Rosner and Depak Patel) won in 2017 and 2018. The final contest was exactly that, with only three matches of the ten being won in straight sets.
Titan Terriers finished third by beating Empire Entertainers 6-5 and Empire eagles beat an understrength Titan Tomatoes 6-5.
Division One contest the Chris Williams Trophy in each Series and the Onslow Ogres retained the Trophy by beating old foes Waterloo Wolves 7-3. The final mirrored that of Premier with only three matches being straight set victories.
Division Two final was played between Waterloo Whales (top after the round robin) and Titan Youngsters. The Youngsters got off to a fast start and raced away to a 9-2 victory.
Both these divisions played Grade Championships the week after their finals. Eight players competed in Division One with Mat Hobbs (Onslow) beating Michael Onganon (Empire) 11-9 in the fifth set. Liam Johnston (Empire) beat Craig Gear (Waterloo) in the third/fourth playoff. Six played in the Division Two event with Reg Feuz (Karori) winning the round robin from Peter Lowe (Empire) with Josh Brown (Empire) third.
Val Muirhead died at Waikanae at the age of 84. She was a former Epuni Club/Empire Club member and Hutt Valley Table Tennis Representative. Val was a Empire Club/Hutt Valley Association Committee Member and a Hutt Valley Life Member.
Val had a open attacking style. She joined the Empire Club in 1955 from the Epuni Club. Val was in the following Empire winning interclub teams. 1955 B Grade Team (with Ron Menchi, Murray Sherlock, R Inglis) and the 1960 A Reserve Team (with Merv Burns, Ron Menchi, John Ogilvie). She played Hutt Valley A Grade for the Empire Number 2 Team (1959-72) with her best result 50% in 1965 (18/36) and 1967 (12/24). At the Empire Club Val won the Best Sportsperson Award jointly with Eddie Harris (1958) and the Most Outstanding Performance (1959). At the Empire Club Championships Val won six Women Singles (1963, 1964, 1966, 1968-1970), nine Women Doubles (1958-62, 1967-68 with Joan Brown, 1963 & 1970 with Merle Harding) and four Mixed Doubles (1959, 1963-64 with Keith Pointon and 1970 with Hone Ridley).
As a junior Val won the 1950 Wellington Open Under 18 Girls Doubles with N A King (W). She was a Hutt Valley Women Team Representative (1956-71) to the NZ Championships. In most of these teams was Joan Brown (1953-62, 1964-65, 1967-72). Val won the 1958 Bush Open Women Singles and the 1963 Hutt Valley Closed Women Singles. In Women’s Doubles she won: six Hutt Valley Closed tournaments (1962,1964-65,1967, 1969 with Joan Brown, 1963 with R Bush); five Hutt Valley Opens with Joan Brown (1961,1965,1969), with Gwen Schneider (1963), with Jeanette Wilson (1967); four Wellington Opens with Joan Brown (1965, 1967-69); the 1971 Kapiti Open with Gillian Kemp; the 1967 Manawatu Open with Joan Brown; the 1959 Wairarapa Open with Mary Anderson; the 1964 Wanganui Open with Joan Brown. In Mixed Doubles Val won the Hutt Valley Closed twice (1963 with Peter McLauchlan and 1964 with Albert Roberts); the 1963 Bush Open and the Wairarapa Open with Geoff Jennings; the 1966 Hutt Valley Open with Denis Thorner. In 1963 Val played in the Australian Open.
1959 was Val’s best year. She was ranked Number 8 on the New Zealand Women’s Ranking List. She represented the North Island (with Barbara Packwood (Captain), Joan Brown, Neti Davis) against the South Island ( Pat Purdon (Captain),June Shadbolt, Thelma May, Pam Crowe ). Won 7-5 by the North Island. In the NZ Championships Val and Joan Brown were runner up in the Women Doubles to Mary Anderson (HV)/Val White 21-12 15-21 21-8 17-21 21-19. In the North Island Championships Women Singles Val beat the seeded Pat Purdon (3rd round) and Mary Broadbent (Semi Finals) and was runner up to Joan Brown 21-14 21-14 10-21 21-11. Val and Joan Brown were runner up in the Women Doubles to Pat Purdon (C)/Pam Deans 11-21 21-16 22-20 21-19. In the Hawera Teams Tournament Empire Club (Joan Brown, Val Muirhead, Betty Gardner, Bev Christensen) beat Wanganui (Gwen Schneider, Cynthia Gifford-Moore, P Haywood, Joyce Williams) in the Women’s Final 6-4.
Val was on the Empire Club Management Committee (1957-72) and was one of the fifteen signatures when the Club applied to be an Incorporated Society in 1961. The Certificate of Incorporation was registered on December 19, 1961. She was also on the Hutt Valley Table Tennis Association Executive Committee. The Empire Golden Jubilee Book said she served for 20 years on the Hutt Valley Committee. In 1965 history was made when the Hutt Valley Association appointed her as its sole selector. The first time a woman has held that position. Hutt Valley beat Wellington 21-7 to win the Jack Croudis Memorial Shield and Canterbury to win the Brightwell Trophy to win both matches for the first time in the same year. She was elected a Hutt Valley Association Life Member and became a Table Tennis Wellington Life Member when the Wellington Association and the Hutt Valley Association merged in 2002. She was also on the NZ Executive Committee (1971-72). Val also served on the 1980 NZ Championship Committee.
Information for the article was provide from the Alexander Turnbull Library, Val Darroch, Empire Table Tennis Club Annual Reports, Empire Club Golden Jubilee Book (1934-1984), Empire Club website, Table Tennis NZ website and Wellington Table Tennis Association Annual Reports. Unfortunately I have been unable to locate Hutt Valley Table Tennis Association Reports for this period. Also some Empire Club Annual Reports were missing (1934-36, 1939-45, 1954,1955,1970). No information was founded from her time at the Epuni Club.
Victor Barna Cup, Hutt Valley Women’s team (1956). L/R back: Fay Inglis, Val Muirhead (c), Pam Oben; front: Mary Garden, Joan Brown
Over 50 and 60 Men’s Doubles Champions Mark Nalder and Malcolm WongMalcolm Wong was the only Wellington player at the Marlborough Open which was held at the Simcox Stadium (Blenheim). There were 37 males (15 juniors) and 8 females (3 juniors) entered. On the Saturday (12 May) Malcolm was runner up in the Over 60 Men’s Singles to Mark Nalder (Nelson) who won 3-1 (11-6 11-5 9-11 11-8) and losing semi finalist in the Over 50 Men’s Singles to Derek Partridge (Canterbury) who won 3-1. The other Over 50 Men’s Singles semi finals was won by Phil Osborne (N) who defeated last year’s winner Mark Nalder (N) 3-1. Derek Partridge won the Over 50 Men’s Singles final 11-7 11-7 11-7.
Mark Nalder/Malcolm Wong won the Over 60 Men’s Doubles defeating Pietro Cannata/Gary Basher (N) 3-0 (11-7 11-5 11-5) and the Over 50 Men’s Doubles defeating Warren Haszard (Marlborough)/Derek Partridge (C) 3-1 (14-12 12-14 11-5 11-8). It brings their doubles titles together to 22.
In the Over 40 events Daniel Astle (N) won 3 titles. The Singles defeating Paul Op den Buysch (N) 3-0 (11-7 11-5 11-7). The Men’s Doubles with Phil Osborne (N) defeating Paul Op den Buysch (N)/Derek Partridge (C) 3-1 (6-11 11-9 11-7 11-5). The Mixed Doubles with Mimi Walle (C) defeating Warren Haszard/Marion Wood (ML) 3-0.
A combined Women’s Over 40/50 Singles resulted in 1st Mimi Walle, 2nd Glenda Ferguson and 3rd Marion Wood.
In the Second Grade David Walle (C) won 3 titles. He defeated Jay Zhu (C) 3-0 (11-4 11-5 11-6) in the Men’s Singles. With Allan Villar (N) they won the Men’s Doubles against Paul Op den Buysch/ Derek Partridge 3-1 (11-9 9-11 12-10 11-9). With Glenda Ferguson (N) they won the Mixed Doubles against Rob Honour /Megan Stratford (ML) 3-0 (11-5 11-4 11-9 ). The Women’s Singles was won by Glenda Ferguson from Marion Wood in a round robin. The Women’s Doubles was won by Vanessa Wood-Lin /Hannah Smit (ML) defeating Glenda Ferguson/Marion Wood 3-2 (11-8 11-6 8-11 3-11 11-7).
A report was in the Marlborough mid week paper and report sent to Table Tennis Nelson.
Mixed Doubles – David Walle/Mimi Walle (C) beat Daniel Astle (N)/Marion Wood (ML) 3-0 (11-6 11-6 15-13).
Thanks to Chris Hood and Debbie Stratford from the Marlborough Association who have run the tournament for many years. Chris was the 1984 Marlborough Open Men’s Singles Champion. He became a Table Tennis Marlborough Committee Member (1982) and has been Secretary since 2009. Chris has been on the Committee for 34 years. He had 4 years off late 1990s-2000s).
Debbie Stratford (nee Looms) was on the Table Tennis Marlborough Committee prior to Chris Hood. Debbie had a break when she had her 2 daughter and may have been on the committee for nearly 40 years.
Debbie Stratford has won 7 Marlborough Open Women’s Singles (1975-1981), 9 Women’s Doubles (1972-74 with Christine Cootes (ML), 1975-76 with Stephanie Bing (ML), 1978 with Ruth Lee (HV), 1979-80 with Julie Dawkins (ML), 1981 with Janet Johnson (ML)) and 2 Mixed Doubles (1978 with Wayne Adamson (C), 1979 with Michael Hamel (C).
Debbie won the 1981 North Island Women Singles and 5 North Island Junior Titles. The 1977 Under 18 Girls Singles, 2 Under 18 Girls Doubles (1976 with Stephanie Bing (ML), 1977 with Ruth Lee (HV) ), and the 2 Under 18 Mixed Doubles (1976-77 with Stuart Armstrong (C).
In the South Island Championships Debbie won 4 Women Singles (1978-81), 4 Women Doubles (1978-81 with Jan Morris (C) and the 1981 Mixed Doubles with Michael Hamel.
She won 16 South Island Junior Titles. 3 Under 18 Girls Singles (1975-77), 3 Under 18 Girls Doubles (1975 with Stephanie Bing (ML), 1976 with Mary-Jane Gardiner (ML) and 1977 with Ruth Lee (HV). 3 Under 18 Mixed Doubles with Stuart Armstrong (C). 2 Under 16 Girls Singles (1973 & 1975), 3 Under 16 Girls Doubles ( 1973-74 with Stephanie Bing (ML), 1975 with Katherine Bing (ML)), and 2 Under 16 Mixed Doubles (1974-75 with Stuart Armstrong (C).
Debbie was twice runner up the NZ Women Singles (1978 and 1981). She won the 1979 NZ Women’s Doubles (with Jan Morris (C)) and 7 NZ Junior Titles. The 1977 Under 18 Girls Singles, 2 Under 18 Girls Doubles (1972 with Linda Smith (BOP), 1977 with Ruth Lee (HV)), 1977 Under 18 Mixed Doubles (with Lloyd Richards (W), 1975 Under 16 Girls Singles, 1975 Girls Doubles (with Ruth Lee (HV)) and 1975 Mixed Doubles (with Stuart Armstrong (C).
Debbie was ranked 6 years in a row in the NZ Under 18 Girls Ranking List. She was 4th(1972-74), 2nd (1975), 3rd (1976) and 1st (1977). In the NZ Women Ranking List she was ranked 1976-81 and 1985. 7th (1976), 4th (1977, 1978, 1980) 2nd (1979), 1st (1981) and 3rd (1985). Debbie was 1975 Marlborough Sportsperson of the Year in recognition of her becoming the first Marlborough Player to win a individual NZ Table Tennis Title (Under 16 NZ Girls Singles). She was also 1975 NZ Junior of the Year.
In 1978 Debbie represented NZ at the first Oceania Championships (Individual events) held in Auckland and the Australian Open (Melbourne). She and Shelley Palmer were runner up the 1978 Oceania Women Doubles to Jan Morris and Angela Brackenridge. Debbie was in the 1979 NZ Invitation Team (with Jan Morris and Shelley Palmer) that defeated the touring NSW Women 5-4. Debbie was in the 1981 NZ Women’s Team (with Jan Morris (C), Angela Brackenridge (A) and Shelley Palmer (A)) at the NZ Summer Games in Auckland that finished 5th out of 6 teams. Debbie was selected for the 1982 Asian and Commonwealth Championships but withdrew because of a back injury. This injury caused Debbie to retire just as she was reaching her peak. She made a temporary cameback in 1985 and won 3 Titles at the Nelson Open. The Women Singles, Women Doubles with Sally McCulloch (ML) and Mixed Doubles with Jack Taylor (ML). Debbie also won the 1985 Wellington Open Women Singles and was runner up in the NZ Mixed Doubles with Barry Griffiths (Auckland).
This was the 71st NZ Chinese Sports Tournament which is held in Wellington (30 March – 2 April). The table tennis was held at the ASB Sports Centre in Kilbirnie on Friday afternoon (30 March) from 1pm to 5pm. There were 6 Donic tables from the Newtown Stadium and 2 Hart tables from the ASB Stadium. Robert Chung was the Tournament Controller. Only the Men’s Teams were held as there was not the 3 centres entry required to hold the Women’s and Mixed Teams. Wellington won the overall Trophy with 23 points (13 official) from Auckland 7 points (4 official).
There were 12 Men’s Teams from Auckland (2), Canterbury (1), Hawke’s Bay (1) and Wellington (8). In the main draw there had a knockout format (2 person team) with each player playing 1 singles and a doubles (3 matches). The top 4 seeds had a bye in the first round. In Round 2 Hawke’s Bay (4th seeds) lost to Wellington 6 by 2-1 when they lost the doubles 2-0 (11-4 11-5). Hawke’s Bay also lost in the First Round of the Second Round Consolation to Wellington 3 when they lost the doubles 3-2 (11-7 13-11 6-11 7-11
12-10)
The first round consolation (round robin) was won by Wellington 7 (Dave Chan, Peter Hewitt). The second round consolation (knockout) was won by Wellington 3 (Norman Chan, Jason Zhao). The losing semi finalist were Wellington 6 (Wai Chung, Phil Chin) and Auckland 1 (Xiao Jin, Sarwindar Sandhu).
The final was between Wellington 1 (Yang Low, Min Su) and Wellington 2 (Malcolm Wong, Martin Young). In the opening match Min Su beat Martin Young 3-2 (8-11 11-8 11-8 7-11 11-6). Then Yang Low defeated Malcolm Wong 3-0 (11-5 11-1 11-5). The doubles was won by Yang Low/Min Su 3-1 (11-9 11-5 6-11 11-5). A 3-0 win to Wellington 1 who received trophies for winning the tournament.
Thanks to the organisers, Robert Chung, Malcolm Wong and Lisa Yue. Also thanks to Martin Young who transported barriers and flip charts from the Empire Club. There were 6 tables, barriers, flip charts and stands for the flip charts from the Newtown Stadium. Members from the Tournament Committee with Robert Chung and Malcolm Wong were involved in setting up the table tennis area on Thursday night (29 March). These people with Martin Young helped to dismantle the area at the end of the tournament.
The June Development Tournament was contested by a small group of players, all whom demonstrated good attitudes, sportsmanship and no little skill. Especially pleasing was seeing a new group playing in the under 12 group for the first time, all showing promise for the future.
Equally, it was wonderful to see the support for the players by family members and TTW Life Members, Vice Presidents and Executive Committee members who were present for much of the day.
Under 12 Singles
Winner: Leroy Leitch
Runner Up: Toby Kearns
Under 12 Doubles
Winner: Leroy Leitch & Toby Kearns
Runner Up: Toby Callum Kennedy Moffat & Hitee Kandheri
Under 14 Singles
Winner: Yufang Wang
Runner Up: Aaron Lan
Under 14 Doubles
Winner: Aaron Lan & Yufeng Wang
Runner Up: Oscar Craig & Casey Pearson
Under 17 Singles
Winner: Mei Mun Teh
Runner Up: Yufeng Wang
Under 17 3rd/4th playoff
Winner: Ering Huang
Runner Up: Nikin Sukha
Under 17 Consolation
Winner: Aaron Lan
Runner Up: Ravi Sukha
Under 17 Doubles
Winner: Aaron Lan & Yufeng Wang
Runner Up: Alex Strickland & Nikin Sukha
Please dive over to the iSport Foundation’s contribution campaign to check out Hui-Ling’s campaign for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games with her story. She has an especially busy international calendar this year including:
Table Tennis NZ has a page on the Umpires & Referees Committee check it out if you’re curious or interesting in progressing your umpiring skills. There’s a lot of good material up there. You may or may not know that when Malcolm Wong turns up at at tournaments like the recent Autumn open that while he might pick up his bat and play – he is also there in a more official capacity. Malcolm is indeed an International Umpire and a National Referee!
Malcolm is also the TTNZ Umpires and Referees Committee Convenor so has work in between tournaments too. For example.
Malcolm travelled to Palmerston North last September to present Jim Jarmin with his 50 Year Umpiring Service Award (1967-2017).
Jim was born in Manchester, England. He started playing table tennis at the age of 19 in Birmingham. In 1966 Jim moved to New Zealand where he joined the Mount Albert Table Tennis Club in Auckland and qualified as a provincial umpire that same year. Jim later moved to Palmerston North in 1980. He has served on the TTNZ Umpires and Referees Committee and the Table Tennis Manawatu Committee and was also a founder member of the Manawatu Table Tennis Veterans Club. Jim was awarded Life Membership of Table Tennis Manawatu (14/11/2014). Jim, with Chip Eade (Waitemata), won the NZ Men’s Over 45 Doubles in 2005 and the Over 65 Men’s Doubles in both 2005 & 2006. He was selected for the NZ Men’s Over 70 Team in the veterans test against Australia in 2008. Jim said his proudest achievement was winning the 2014 World Veterans Consolation Men’s Doubles with Werner Krafft (Australia).
The 18th Manawatu Veterans Doubles Tournament, sponsored by Himatangi Transport, was held on the same day as Jim’s award. There was a morning session (62 entries) where players played with their selected partners (6 groups round robin). In the afternoon session (58 entries) players were matched with another player (6 groups round robin). Prizes were given for the first and second place pairs in the morning and to the first place pair in the afternoon. Players came from Wanganui. Stratford, Taumarunui, Edgecumbe, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington. Only Tony Rutledge came from Wellington. He played in the morning session. Former Waterloo player, Ian White (83), who now lives in Levin also played.
Jim Jarmin receiving his umpiring service award from Malcolm Wong (Sep 2017)Ian White at the Manawatu Veterans Doubles Tournament.
Entries were well spread across three age groups with a number playing in two groups, resulting in plenty of table tennis during the day. A number of players played to a standard above what they normally display and there were plenty of tight, interesting matches with several upsets occurring.
and Anny Li (A). (*)Previous winners from Hutt Valley were Raewyn Young (1993) and Sabine Westenra (1995).
Val Muirhead died at Waikanae at the age of 84. She was a former Epuni Club/Empire Club member and Hutt Valley Table Tennis Representative. Val was a Empire Club/Hutt Valley Association Committee Member and a Hutt Valley Life Member.
