(Any other club champs results or links please send to me to link here!)
Titan
Lindsay Ward – Titan Club 2020 Singles and Over 40 Singles Champion
Lindsay Ward wins 13th Club Singles and 13th Over 40 Singles.
These were held on four successive Sundays from 10am onwards (22 & 29 November, 6 & 13 December) at the Newtown Stadium. Thanks to Robert Chung who organised the tournament.
Lindsay Ward won the Club Singles (22 Nov) for the 3rd successive year and 13th time overall when he defeated Paul Brown in the final 4-2 (-8, 8, 8, -4,5,4). Lindsay is this years North Island and Wellington Over 60 Singles Champion. Paul was also runner up last year and Depak Patel was runner up in 2018. In the semi finals Lindsay beat Joel Carton 4-1 (8, 10, 8, -6, 3) and Paul beat Yufeng Wang 4-2 (9,7,-5,-9,5,5).
Hi all, thanks to all those participating and volunteering at association & club events during the year. All clubs & the associations could use an extra set of hands or few to help out with events, repairs, or decision making. All those involved are volunteers so next time you see one shake their hand, or shake your own hand if you are one!
Other wrap-up news – thanks to Malcolm Wong:
Wrap-up for Titan – Club Champs
The Titan Club Champs Championships were held on four consecutive Sundays (November 12, 19, 26 and December 3) at Newtown Stadium.
The Club Singles (12 November) was won by Ben Collins who defeated the titleholder
Lindsay Ward in the Final 4-0 (12-10 11-6 11-8 11-6). Lindsay lead 10-8 in the first
game before Ben won the next 4 points to win the game and he was in command for the
rest of the match. This was Ben’s 3rd Club Singles title after previously winning in 2013
and 2015. This brings Ben level with Nha Nguyen (1994, 1996-97) and Win Nguyen
(1998-2000), but well behind Lindsay Ward who has won 10 Club Singles (2001-02,
2004-2006, 2009-10, 2012, 2014, 2016). In the semi-finals Ben beat Yang Low in a close
struggle 4-1 (11-9 11-9 7-11 11-5 15-13) and Lindsay beat Paul Brown 4-0 (11-5 13-11
11-2 11-8). In the Quarter Finals – Ben Collins 3 v Zhidong Yu 0, Lindsay Ward 3 v C
Talbot 0, Yang Low 3 v Depak Patel 0, Paul Brown 3 v Ian Talbot 1. Yang Low showed
good form in beating Depak Patel 11-5 11-8 11-7. Depak Patel was to win the Empire
Club Singles and Doubles (with Paul Brown) the following Saturday. In the Singles Plate
Final Martyn Barry beat Mei Mun Teh 3-0 (11-5 11-2 11-4).
The Club Doubles (19 November) was won by Chris and Ian Talbot who beat Lindsay
Ward and Bryan McConnochie in the final 3-0 (11-9 11-7 11-7). This was their 4th title
together after previously winning in 2003, 2006 and 2007. Ian had also won with Bryan
McConnochie (2004). Ian is now one behind Depak Patel who holds the record with 6
Titles (2009 with Raewyn Young, 2011 with Elias Villanevua, 2012 with Raewyn
Young, 2013-14 and 2016 with Paul Brown). In the semi finals Talbot/Talbot beat
Zhidong Yu/Tony Tziakis 3-1 (11-9 4-11 11-3 11-3) and Ward/McConnochie beat Depak
Patel/Simon Jung 3-1 (11-4 11-4 7-11 11-7). Due to Paul Brown being unavailable,
Depak Patel/Paul Brown could not defend their Titan Doubles Title.
The Over 40 Singles (26 November) was won by Lindsay Ward who defeated Paul
Brown in a close match 4-2 ( 11-8 9-11 6-11 11-9 12-10 11-7 ). This was Lindsay 10th
Over 40 Singles titles (2003, 2005, 2007-11, 2013-2014, 2017) and 25 overall ( Also10
Club Singles, 2 Club Doubles with Nha Nguyen (2008, 2010) and 3 Club Over 40
Doubles with Ian Talbot (2015-17)). In the semi finals Lindsay beat Chris Talbot 4-2 (9-
11 11-4 8-11 12-10 11-5 11-9) and Paul Brown beat Depak Patel 4-3 (11-7 8-11 11-6 8-
11 11-6 9-11 11-4). In the Quarter finals – Lindsay Ward 3 v Zhidong Yu 0, Chris Talbot
3 v Harry Chen 0, Depak Patel 3 v Bryan McConnochie 0, Paul Brown 3 v Ian Talbot 0.
The Over 40 Doubles (3 December) was won by the defending champions Ian Talbot and
Lindsay Ward who beat Depak Patel and Bryan McConnochie in the final 3-2 (11-5 11-5
8-11 1-11 11-9) for their 3rd consecutive win. In the semi finals Talbot/Ward beat Paul
Brown/Ilkka Havakkala 3-0 (11-7 11-3 11-4) () and Patel/McConnonchie beat Tony
Tziakis/Simon Jung 3-0 (11-6 11-6 11-7). This is Ian Talbot’s 4 th Over 40 Doubles title
which gives him the outright record from Malcolm Wong, William Yang and Lindsay
Ward (3).
The trophies were presented at the Titan breakup on Sunday, 17 December. Rendall
Conwell was awarded the Presidents Cup for services to the Titan Club. Thanks to Tony
Tziakis (Club President) for organising the food and drinks.
2017 Titan Break up. Ian Talbot, Lindsay Ward, Rendall Conwell and Tony Tziakis.
2017 Titan Over 40 Singles: Bryan McConnonchie, Chris Talbot, Simon Jung, Lindsay Ward, Tony Tziakis, Depak Patel, Paul Brown, Zhidong Yu, Harry Chen, Ian Talbot.
Wrap-up for Onslow – Club Champs
The Club Championships were held at the Ngaio Town Hall at the end of their season.
The deciding match in the Men’s Singles had John Gan retaining his title by defeating Win Nguyen 4-3 (5-11 11-5 11-3 8-11 11-2 10-12 11-9). Earlier John Gan beat Malcolm Wong 4-0 (11-8 11-6 11-3 11-7) and Win Nguyen beat Malcolm Wong 4-1 (11-8 11-5 9-11 11-3 11-6).
The Men’s Doubles (28/9/2017) was won by John Gan and Win Nguyen 3-0 against Matthew Hobbs and Malcolm Wong.
The Over 40 Singles (21/9/2017) had 2 round robin groups of 3 with the group winners playing off for the title. Win Nguyen beat Matthew Hobbs 3-0 (11-9 11-9 11-0) to win the Singles. Malcolm Wong beat Quac Dinh 3-0 to take third place.
The Women Singles and Mixed Doubles were not held this year.
Thanks to Virgil Kan for running the senior club and and he and his daughters Michelle and Kimberly, who have been running the Junior Club (all on Thursday nights).
The Club Championships were held at the Ngaio Town Hall on Thursday nights (October 6, 13, 20 and 27).
The Men’s Singles was a repeat of the previous 3 years. The result was the same as John Gan won in a very tough struggle against Matthew Hobbs 4-3 (11-4 11-9 3-11 11-13 7-11 11-7 11-5). John started well to win the first 2 games. Matthew then lifted his game to win the next 3 games to lead 3-2. John then regained control in the last 2 games to win his 8th Club Singles. In the semi finals Matthew beat Darrin Wilkinson 4-0 (11-9 11-5 11-3 11-2) and John beat Malcolm Wong 4-2 (11-4 11-2 10-12 12-10 8-11 11-7).
The Women’s Singles was won by the Dianne Taylor, for the 28th time, against Michelle Kan. Her consistent returning overcame Michelle’s hard hitting in a tough struggle 4-3
The Men’s Doubles was won by John and Jonathan Gan, against the titleholders Matthew Hobbs and Malcolm Wong 3-2 (4-11 11-4 7-11 11-3 11-8). This is the second father and son combination to win the doubles after Bryan and Phillip McConnochie (2001 & 2002).
The Mixed Doubles was won for the first time by Matthew Hobbs and Beth Tait against the titleholders John Gan and Diane Taylor 3-1. Beth is a former Wairarapa Junior Girls Representative and won at the Wairarapa Open, the Under 15 Girl Singles (2003), Under 17 Girls Singles (2005) and Under 19 Girls Singles (2006).
The Over 40 Singles had 3 round robin groups of 3 with the group winners playing off for the title. John Gan won, with Matthew Hobbs 2nd and Malcolm Wong 3rd. The Over 40 Singles Plate 1 was won by Virgil Kan and Plate 2 by Lei Chen. The Over 40 Doubles (Round Robin) was won by Matthew Hobbs and Malcolm Wong from John Gan and Lei Chen (2nd) and Virgil Kan and John Haswell (3rd). The Over 40 Doubles has been held only once before in 2013 when John Gan and Zhidong Yu won.
The Under 40 Singles (Round Robin) was won by Andrew Budden with Jonathan Gan 2nd. The Under 40 Doubles was won by Andrew Budden and Daniel Wilkinson against Jonathan Gan and Michelle Kan 3-2.
Andrew Budden (Wellington Under 15 Boys Representative 1995-96) was playing for the first time since 1996 when he played Premier 2 for Onslow (with Andrew Hunt and Mark Freeman). He was in the Raroa Schools Team (with Mark Freeman and Edward Szeto) that won the 1993 NZ Primary/Intermediate Schools Tournament. Andrew won the 1994 Wellington Intermediate Schools Boys Singles and 1995 Wellington Open Under 15 Boy’s Singles. He and Mark Freeman won the 1994 Wellington Open Under 13 Boy’s Doubles. Also the 1995 Under 15 Boys Doubles at the Hutt Valley, Kapiti, Manawatu , Wairarapa and Wellington Open. In 1996 they won the Hutt Valley and North Island Under 15 Boy’s Doubles. Andrew won the 1996 Wairarapa Open Under 15 Boys Doubles with Cameron Gordon.
The club’s breakup was held on October 27. Thanks to Virgil Kan and his daughters, Michelle and Kimberly, who have been running the Thursday club night, and the Friday junior club night. Next year the junior night will be changed to Thursday.
1991 A Reserve Grade Champions Te Rama. Martin Young, David Robinson and Malcolm Wong. (photo taken at the Te Rama Championships, 1999)There were 8 teams in the grade and 2 rounds were played. Te Rama (Malcolm Wong, Martin Young and David Robinson) convincingly won the Grade (13 wins 1 loss) with 39 points, 10 clear of runner up Onslow (Adrian Sutton, Les Foy, Tony Tziakis).
Malcolm Wong first played for Te Rama in C Grade (1982) with his brother Peter and Mike Burke. In his first match Te Rama beat Johnsonville 12-0. He played interclub for Te Rama (1982-98) and was in Premier 2 (1994-98). He has won 10 Te Rama Club Singles and the Titan Club Singles (1995). He was in the Te Rama team that won C Grade (1986) B Grade (1989) and A Reserve Grade (1991 & 1993). Also the Pre Christmas Division 2 A (1986) and the Autumn A Grade (1997) where in the final against Onslow, Malcolm won all his 3 singles which included defeating 2 current NZ Junior Boys Representatives. He won the 1982 Regional C Grade Doubles (with Brian Roberts), 1989 B Grade doubles (with Henry Anastasi), A Reserve Singles (1990 & 1991) and Doubles (1989 with Henry Anastasi & 1991-93 with Martin Young), and 1995 & 1996 Open Grade Doubles (with Matthew Hobbs).
Malcolm later played interclub for Titan, Onslow and Empire, including Premier 1 for Titan and Empire. He was a National Councillor (1987) and the Wellington Table Tennis Association President and Chairman (1990-91). He was to be Wellington Treasurer (1993 and 1996-98) and Secretary (1998). Malcolm was elected as a Wellington Vice President (1999). He is a qualified coach, with Table Tennis New Zealand Level One and Coaching New Zealand Level One Certificates (2001). He qualified as a National Referee (2007) and International Umpire (2008). Malcolm has been on the TTNZ Umpires and Referees Committee since 2012 and was this year on the Oceania Table Tennis Federation URC. He was the TTNZ National Official of the Year (2013). To date he has won 85 Tournament Titles. His first title was winning the 1995 Wellington Regional Over 40 Doubles with John Lelliott, against Adrian Lust and Nha Nguyen. At this years NZ Chinese Sports Tournament Malcolm with Martin Young were runner up in the Men’s Doubles and were in the winning Wellington Men’s Team.
Martin Young had originally played for Ling Tse and was in their team that won the C2 Grade (1987) and C Grade (1988). He headed the C Grade singles averages in 1988 with 34/36 (94%). He and Martin Gee won the C Grade Doubles that year. He joined Te Rama in 1989. Martin was in the Te Rama Team that won the A Reserve Grade (1991 & 1993) and he won the A Reserve Singles (1993) and A Reserve Doubles (1991-93). He was to have the top singles average in Premier 2 in 2003 with 24/27 (89%) when playing for Johnsonville. He has won 16 Te Rama Club Singles and the Johnsonville Men’s Club Singles twice. Martin was in the GP Print Dragon Boat Team the won the Wellington Corporate Section (1993). He currently plays for Empire in Premier 1 and has been on the Empire Club Board since 2011.
David Robinson was a NZ University Representative (1964) and has a doctorate in Physics from Auckland University (1964). He played for Takapuna in the North Shore competition and for Auckland University in the Auckland competition. In the North Shore Grade Championships, he won the C Grade Doubles (1957), B Grade Singles (1958) and A Grade Men’s Doubles (1961) with his older brother Max. David was in the Auckland University Team that won the table tennis at the NZ University Tournament (1964). He also won the Mixed Doubles with Ann Mutch. David played in England (1966-69) at Harwell, Oxfordshire, for his work team, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, in the local league. He moved to Wellington (1969) but did not play again until 1988 for Ling Tse in the Pre Christmas Summer Interclub (Division 2) prior to joining Te Rama in 1989. He also has an interest in music and has played the bassoon in various orchestras.
Runner up Onslow had Adrian Sutton, Wellington Association Secretary (1990) who was in the winning A Reserve team with Newlands (1989) with his wife Pam, Bob Bell and Brian Neale. He won the 1990 A Reserve Grade Doubles with Jason Granville. Also in the team was Les Foy and Tony Tziakis. Tony was in the same 1977 Wellington College Team as current Wellington Junior Coach Paul Solt. He is now playing again at the Titan Club.
Third placed Titan A had Virgil Kan, now The Club Captain at Onslow. Geoff Fletcher, who had originally played for PSA, and was to win the Titan Over 40 Singles (2000). Bruce Stewart had set up the first work trust and was the founder of the Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay. The Marae entered teams in Wellington interclub in 1983 (C and D Grade) and 1984 where the C Grade team (Bruce Stewart, Maru Corbett, Dean Stewart) finished second in the grade. Dean is Bruce’s son and another son James played table tennis at the Titan, Empire and Belmont Clubs. Another son, Sam played rugby league for New Zealand. Bruce Stewart was to win the A Reserve Singles (1994).
Newlands had Bob Bell, Kerry Duggan, and the father and son pair of Tony Fisher and Ross Fisher. Ross Fisher was in the Wellington Boy’s under 15 Team (1990) and Under 19 Teams (1991-92) and was to win the Wellington Secondary Schools Boys Singles (1992). Bob Bell, Kerry Duggan and Ross Fisher would be in the Newlands A Team (with Ray Hardy and Brian Neale) that would win the A Reserve Grade in 1992.
Titan B had Allan Rassmussen, who had won C Grade with Spartan (1981) and PSA A (1984) and D Grade with NAC A (1969). He won the C Grade Singles (1981 & 1989) and C Grade Doubles (1982 with Dave Pyle). He won all his 39 matches in 1981. Colin Hicks was in the PSA A Team that won C Grade (1984) and he and J Milne won the 1981 C Grade Doubles. He was President of the Public Service Association (PSA) from 1983 to 1988. Colin died in 2010. Dave Pyle had been in the University team that won D Grade (1979) and the PSA team that won D Grade (1981) and C Grade (1984). He won the 1964 2nd Grade Singles and Doubles (with T Ng), C Grade Singles (1983) and Doubles (1982) and D Grade Singles (1978-1980) and Doubles (1978-79 with H Yee and 1980-81 with Jim Delahunty). Dave was on the Wellington Association Committee (1980-85) and would be in the Apollon team that would win the A Reserve Grade (2006). Elizabeth Groblinger was number 5 in the Wellington Women rankings that year.
Apollon had Chris Papanicolaou Alan Bond, Stuart Prince and Peter Varuhas. Chris Papanicolaou had been the Apollon B Grade winning team (1979). Alan Bond had been in the winning C Grade Team with Sony (1978) and Royals (1989). He won all his 27 matches in 1989. He won the C Grade Singles (1972 & 1989) and 1989 Doubles (with Ron Haward) and 1972 D Grade Singles and Doubles (with Brian Biberstein). Peter Varuhas is a Romanian Greek who arrived in New Zealand in 1951 and first played for the Apollon Club in 1952. Already playing for the club were Nick Gousgounis and Chris Papanicolao. Peter (1975-79), Nick (1980) and Chris (1980-85) were on the Wellington Association Committee. Nick and Chris have since died. Peter Varuhas would play for the Apollon Club until 2006 when he was 78. Peter was in the Apollon team that won D Grade (1975), C Grade (1976), B Grade jointly with University A (1979) and A Reserve (2006). In those winning teams was his younger brother Nicholas (1975 & 1976), who has since died, and his son Costa (1979). After 2006 there were insufficient teams to have a A Reserve Grade competition at the Newtown Stadium, Wellington. The players in his Apollon team did not want to play in the B Grade competition at the Empire Club (Petone) so the team stopped playing interclub.
Karori had juniors Simon Reed, Grant Hardy and Mark Jurgeleit. Simon would be in the Wellington Boy’s under 19 Boy’s Team (1992-94) and be the top ranked Wellington Under 19 Boy (1994). He was in the Wellington College team that won the Wellington Secondary Schools Boys Teams (1991). Simon would serve on the Wellington Association Committee (1993-2002). He was also coach of the Wellington Under 19 Boys Team (1998-2001). The 2000 Team (John Cordue, Evan Kramer, Cameron Gordon, Quentin Rew) won the NZ Boys Under 19 Teams Title. (John Cordue would be number 1 on the NZ Men’s Ranking list (2009) and has represented NZ at the World Championships and this years Commonwealth Games. Quentin Rew would represent NZ at the 2012 Olympics in the 50 km Race Walk.) Mark Jurgeliet was in the Wellington Under 15 Boy’s Team (1990) and won the C Grade Singles that year. He was in the Wellington College Team (1991) and Onslow College Team (1992) that won the Wellington Secondary Schools Boys Teams. Grant Hardy was in the Wellington Under 15 Boy’s Team (1986-87) and he won the 1987 Wairarapa Open under 15 Boys Singles and Doubles.
Hardshots had Brian Neale who had played A Grade for Victoria University and Newlands. Brian was in the Victoria University Team that had won the table tennis at the NZ University Tournament (1963) and he was runner up in the Men’s Singles. He was then selected in the New Zealand University Men’s Team that toured the South Island. Brian was in the Newlands team that won the A Reserve Grade (1971,1986 and 1989). He won the A Reserve Grade Singles (1986) and Doubles (1971 with Robert Yee). Brian has won 10 Newlands Club Singles. He was on the Wellington Association Committee in 1964 and 1983-89. Brian was the Wellington Association’s Secretary (1983-89) and was elected a Wellington Vice President (1994). He had the top singles average in the Grade with 35/39 (89.7%). Brian O’Connor and Alan Dunn originally played for Johnsonville, with Bill Stevens. When the Club folded up they formed the Hardshots. The team had won the C Grade in 1990 and had the top 3 players in the interclub averages. Alan Dunn and Bill Stevens were top equal with 43 wins in 45 matches (95.6%). Brian O’Connor was 3rd with 36 wins in 45 matches (80%).
In the A Reserve Grade Championships, Malcolm Wong won the Singles against Martin Young. Malcolm retained the title he won the previous year against Jason Granville, a Wellington Under 19 Boys Representative and future Wellington Player. Malcolm Wong and Martin Young won the Doubles against Adrian Sutton and Simon Reed, and they were to retain the doubles title in 1992 and 1993.
In the Grades Match against Hutt Valley (11 August), The Wellington A Reserve Team lost 4-7.
Statistics for 1991: 1991 WTTA A Reserve Grade – Malcolm Wong
Lloyd MacIntyreLloyd was born in Wellington (1940). He started playing table tennis at age 7 because there was a table tennis table at his home. He and his father, brother and sister played. Audrey Hughes (1947 NZ Women’s Singles Champion) use to visit occasionally and play table tennis with the children. When Lloyd was 10, he played table tennis socially at the Cashmere Community Centre (Khandallah). Lloyd played football at school, as a centre back. He joined the Onslow Table Tennis Club at the age of 15. He recalls Ivan Houghton and Gary Roselli from his early days at the club. Paul Escott was to join the club 2 years later and they were to play in the same interclub team in the early 1960s. Lloyd received the most improved player award at the Onslow Club (1960).
After school Lloyd served a 5 year apprenticeship (10,000 hours) and qualified as an Upholsterer. He played football for Waterside and Johnsonville. In 1968 Lloyd joined the Tawa Club, which had been started by Colin Alexander and Richard Hull. He was to be in the same team as those two in the Kapiti A Grade Competition as well as Reg Hall, Bruce Lockhart, Chris Talbot, Ian Talbot and Murray Talbot. Lloyd was a member of a number of Kapiti Men’s Team that went to the New Zealand Championships between 1981 and 1992. He was the top ranked Man in Kapiti (1980).
In 1977 Lloyd joined the Johnsonville Men’s Club. He was to become Vice President (1997-2011) and was elected a life member (2008). He is still the welfare officer there. Lloyd has won the Johnsonville Men’s Club Singles 12 times. In Wellington Interclub Lloyd has played in the Wellington A Grade and then the Premier 1 and 2 Grades (1981-2012), mainly for Johnsonville. His team included Tony Radford, Ann Gyongyos, Nha Nguyen, Ian Talbot, Martin Young, Colin Alexander, Bob Bell, Jim Pandelidis and Paul Escott. Lloyd won the 2000 Wellington Masters Games Over 55 Men’s Singles and Doubles.
Lloyd has a keen interest in motorbikes and owns 7 bikes. He joined the the Ulysses Club (1980) for motorbike riders over the age of 40. Lloyd has been on the Brass Monkey Rally, held over Queen’s Birthday weekend, at Oturehua (Central Otago) on 15 occasions. He has also been on the Cold Kiwi Run, held south of Waiouru, and the Cold Duck Run, in Waipawa.This year Lloyd has became the CEO of The Rusty Nuts Motorcycle Club. The Club organises rallies, including the Grand Challenge, a 1,000 miles (1,609 km) 24 hour event each October. Also the Southern Cross Road Rally (6 day event) from Cape Reinga to Bluff (6,500 km) which is held every 2 years.
This year Lloyd has stopped playing interclub table tennis. He is teaching a community education course in Upholstery at Onslow College three nights a week and on Saturday morning. In his leisure time Lloyd enjoys being on the water in yachts and boats. He is a great grand father and loves looking after his 2 great grand children (both boys). He still plays at the Johnsonville Men’s Club and intends to play at the 2014 World Veterans Championships in Auckland.
-Malcolm Wong 1981 NZ Championships – Kapiti Men’s Team L/R: Warren Evans, Lloyd McIntyre, Robin Radford (manager), Tony Radford, Murray TalbotKapiti Men’s Team (1982) L/R: Murray Talbot (manager), Michael Radford, Chris Talbot, Lloyd McIntyre, Tony RadfordKapiti Teams (1989) L/R: back: Martin Smithies, Chris Talbot, Lloyd McIntyre front: Jean Radford, Caron Watson, June CampbellKapiti Teams (1992) L/R back: Lloyd McIntyre, Chris Talbot, Alan Baines front: Jean Radford, Caron Watson, Lyn McKay
May 15 Premier 1 & 3 grades commence (Tuesdays)
May 16 Premier 2 & 4 grades commence (Wednesdays)
May 30/5 Junior Grade Commences
June 28 – July 16 School holidays (no interclub play, Junior Nationals)
July 17 Premier 1 & 3 grades continue
July 18 Premier 2 & 4 and Junior grades continue
Sept 4 Grade champs for Premier grades (1st vs. 2nd teams in each grade)
This is the latest player profile from Malcolm Wong:
Brian Hearfield in 2011In 1950 Brian (then 15 years old) joined the Technical Table Tennis Club in Wellington. There were 2 tables in the Technical Old Students Tennis Pavilion in Taranaki Street, which is today occupied by Massey University. On Sundays Brian would often play from noon to late at night. He recalled that players had to prove they were a certain standard to join the club. There was a limit on the membership and good players were asked to join the club, rather than the other way around.
The Technical Club was formed in 1936. The Club has won 32 Wellington interclub titles including 6 A Grade (1939-41, 1943-44 & 1946). The A Grade team included Frank Mooney, Wellington’s top ranked man (1943) who was also a wicket keeper in the NZ Cricket Team (1949-54). The W M Jackson Shield (Most interclub points) was won twice (1946 & 1977). The Sportswear Model Trophy (Highest point average for 3 nominated teams from a club) was won 6 times (1974, 1977, 1981, 1987, 1989 & 1990). The most interclub teams entered were 11 in 1971 & 1977.
Club members were involved in several notable achievements. Max Gosling was selected for the first ever NZ Team in a match against the touring Hungarian Team (1938). Eric Boniface was selected for the first NZ Team to travel overseas (1939). The team travelled to Australia for matches against state teams. John Crossley and John Stewart were in the first NZ Team at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary (1950). Crossley won the first international title by a New Zealander when he won the Scottish Open Men’s Singles held in Edinburgh (1950). Gosling (1939), Boniface (1940-41) and Crossley (1944) were ranked Number 1 in Wellington and all won the Wellington Open Men’s Singles. Crossley was North Island Men’s Singles Champion (1949).
29 New Zealand Open Titles were won. The first was achieved in 1940 when Dawn Croxton won the Women’s Doubles with Leonie Kennedy, and the Mixed Doubles with Max Gosling. This was the first year of the NZ Inter-Association Teams Championships and Wellington won both the Men’s and Women Teams Title. Club members representing Wellington were Max Gosling and Eric Boniface (Men) and Leonie Kennedy, Dawn Croxton and May Wareham (Women).
In 1950 Club members were in all 5 NZ Open individual finals. John Crossley lost to Bob Jackson (Auckland) in the Men’s Singles. John won the Men’s Doubles with Neville Brightwell (Canterbury). Margaret Hoar won the Women Singles, Woman Doubles with Thyra McGregor, and the Mixed Doubles with Owen Jaine (Auckland). As well, Murray Dunn won the NZ Under 16 Boys Singles that year. Murray was to win a record 9 Wellington Open Men’s Singles and also 4 NZ Men’s Singles (1960-63).
Margaret Hoar was the number 1 ranked Wellington and NZ Woman (1949-50) when she was at the Club. She was the Wellington, North Island and NZ Women’s Singles Champion in those years. Christine Beasley (nee McGregor) was the number 1 ranked Women for 7 consecutive years (1973-79) and won 10 Wellington Open titles including 5 Women’s Singles (1973-74, 1976-78). She was also an excellent tennis player and won the Wellington Tennis Open Women Singles (1979), achieving a unique tennis/table tennis double.
In 1967 the club moved to the Te Rama Tennis Pavilion in Kilbirnie when the Technical Tennis Pavilion had to make way for new buildings. In 1972 the club changed its name to Te Rama to meet city council requirements to stay at the site as the tennis club had folded up. In 1984 the club moved to the Kilbirnie Gym due to the Aqua Centre being built where the Tennis Pavilion was. In 1985 the club moved to St Giles Church Hall and later to the Newtown Stadium. A team was last entered in interclub in 2001.
Brian Hearfield started off in F Grade and was in C Grade the following year. He played mainly in B grade. He recalls filling in at A Grade interclub and playing Murray Dunn, Geoff Jennings, John Crossley, Ron Foster and Ivan Houghton. In 1956 at the Hutt Valley Open, Brian and Bill Stewart (both C Graders) upset Mike Beder/Stan Ferguson ( NZ Boys Doubles Champions 1955) to reach the quarter finals where they lost to the top seeds, Murray Dunn/John Crossley (NZ Men’s Doubles Champions 1954). Brian has been in 9 Technical/Te Rama winning winter interclub teams (See below).
A Reserve A Grade 1963 Brian Hearfield, Foon Chin, Thyra McGregor
B Grade 1966 Brian Hearfield, Jack Ngan, Diane Bates
1974 Brian Hearfield, Ray Bryan, Dawn Perks, Judy Sharman
1977 Brian Hearfield, D Hitchcock, Roger Watkin
1989 Brian Hearfield, Henry Anastasi, Malcolm Wong
1990 Brian Hearfield, Roger Watkin, Peter Wong
1993 Brian Hearfield, David Feist, Roger Watkin, Giles Moiser
C Grade 1959 Brian Hearfield, John Wilcox, Andy Curran
1986 Brian Hearfield. Malcolm Wong, Jeff Larsen, Olaf Leijon
Brian had the highest interclub average in B Grade (1990, 1991 & 1993). His best result was 37 wins from 39 matches (94.9%) in the B Grade (1985, 1990). He won the B Grade Singles (1966) and the B Grade Doubles with David Fry (1965) and Bruce Mills (1966). Brian represented Wellington in the annual match against Hutt Valley 7 times. C Grade (1959), B Grade (1965, 1966, 1974, 1989, 1990) and B/C Grade (1993). Wins were achieved in 1959 (7-5) 1965 (10-2) 1966 (9-3). He donated the Brian Hearfield Cup for the B Grade Singles at the Wellington Grade Championships. The first winner was fellow club member Henry Anastasi in 1989.
Brian has been Secretary, Treasurer and Club Captain for the Club. He served on the Wellington Committee (1962-77) and (1992-2009). He was a long serving member of the interclub subcommittee and chaired it when there were 167 interclub teams. Brian was the Secretary/Treasurer (1999-2001) and Secretary (2002-2009). He was a regular sight on night duty at interclub. Brian is a Life Member of the Te Rama Club (1980) and the Wellington Association (1994).
Brian played cricket for Institute Old Boys, Wellington South Institute, Technical College Old Boys and Onslow. His 1971-72 Onslow team included Trevor Mallard (Labour Member of Parliament since 1984 and former Minister (1999-2008). He was a batsman/wicket keeper with a highest score of 85 not out. Brian was in three winning teams: Technical College Old Boys 3B (1958/59); Technical College Old Boys 5th Grade (1960/61); and Onslow 3C (1972/73). The Onslow 3C Team also included a young Kevin Haines, the current TTW Treasurer.
Wellington Table Tennis Association AGM (1997) Brian Hearfield (Life Member and Committee), Paul Escott (Life Member and President), Malcolm Wong (Secretary/Treasurer) and Eric Tindill (Life Member, The first Treasurer 1933, Double All Black)
Te Rama Club Championship (1999) Martin Young, Roger Watkin, Brian Hearfield, Malcolm Wong, John Lister and David Robinson.
Hi folks, after the usual late rush of entries and fiddling to get seedings near-enough, here are the actual draws for Summer Interclub from Wednesday February 29 through April 4. Thanks to Bruce for getting it all together.
Grades A and B are split into two sections with a playoff between them on the last night. Grade C has a 1v2, 3v4, 5v6 playoff on that last night.
As an overview on what table tennis is on and when during the summer period here is some information. (If you have any info to add please comment or let me know.)
Summer Interclub
Summer interclub (team competition, a bit more casual than the main winter interclub season) is broken into two distinct (unrelated) phases, first the Composite Interclub (see here and here). Second the ‘pre-season’ (late summer) summer interclub round with a format to be determined. For more details watch this blog or keep in contact through your club.
Your club
Some clubs remain open with a small break, others close for a summer break. Consider visiting a different club every now and again – chances are you’ll play people you’ve never played before.
Waterloo: starts again early March (probably the first week).
Onslow: starts again late March.
Tawa: Porirua East School, 8 Martin Street, Porirua East (turn right to hall prior to parking area). Operates from 7pm each Wednesday night April to October.
Titan: open through the summer except for 4 weeks off from mid December. Key hire for the Newtown stadium is available too, contact Table Tennis Wellington.
Belmont: running until the 25th of November and is starting up again in the middle of March.
Karori: finishes November 21, starting again late February or early March, to be determined.
Empire: The the last Monday night is Dec 12, the last midweek – Tuesday Dec 20 then opening casually from Jan 17 (officially Feb 2), and the last Junior club is Friday Nov 11. Opening dates for Mondays & Fridays to be determined.
Moonshine & Victoria University: – refer to club contact information here.
For more details or for other clubs refer to the club contact information here.
Exercise
Summer is a good time to start and get into a regular fitness pattern, if you find one that fits your schedule and you can enjoy it, then you’ll be more likely to keep it up through the whole year (um, this is do as I say, not as I do). I remember talking to a veteran player who noted that he would tend to win more often as the winter wore on, as other people got less fit! A fair-weather runner like myself will be one of his easy victims come Composite Interclub…
Elite squad coach Stephen Hirst recommends: “… it is always good in the off season to build your base fitness, i.e. lots and lots of cardio, skipping, running running and more running. As you get about 2 months out before the season starts I liked to taper off the running and start to replace that with more speed work like shuttle runs between two cones 20 metres apart. Start introducing more strength stuff with weights like squats for your quads. My favourite was jumping over a wooden bench traditionally found in schools 3 x 1 minute, it really kills you but gets you very explosive for the start of the season. Also continue this exercise throughout the season… This is all I used to do and can highly recommend it.”
My tip: paint the fence – if it worked for The Karate Kid it will work for you.
At least get out there and mow the lawn…
Helping
There are probably a hundred unpaid volunteers of some kind that help run and facilitate table tennis in the Wellington region. If you’re not already one of this bunch, think of something you enjoy doing that could contribute in any way. Put your name forward!
There is probably a table tennis table at one of your friend’s houses – go there and play and give them a lesson. Nothing will give you more pleasure. Just don’t forget to bring your own bat otherwise you’ll be battling to a 15-all deuce in the 3rd set against their 11 year old son because trying to topspin using their pimple-out no-sponge half-torn up left-in-the-sun fly-swatter only leaves you looping directly into the carpet at your feet.
The ulterior motive is that you could have some more people to bring along to your club. Lend them your real bat or a spare and open their eyes to what it is all about.
Summer project?
You might not have space for a table-tennis table in your own house but…
make a mini table tennis table… then become the best in the world.
Table Tennis Wellington 