Auckland Table Tennis Association

🏓 Table Tennis is Timeless 🏓

At the North Island Team Championships, four players competing in the Men's O75 Doubles bring together an incredible 319 years of life experience.

Larry McCallion and Bob Inns have shared a doubles partnership for more than 40 years. Larry praises Bob's reliable backhand, while Bob admires Larry's trademark combination of chop defence and forehand attack. Their partnership is built on decades of friendship, trust, and a shared love of the game.

Meanwhile, Michael Yang and Rong Huang Li are teaming up for their first tournament as a doubles pair. Although new to competition together, they regularly train together in Auckland and are looking forward to putting their teamwork to the test.

From a 40-year partnership to a brand-new pairing, these players show that table tennis isn't just a sport, it's a lifelong passion.

🏓 319 years. 4 players. Countless memories. One great game.

🏓❤️

It is always rewarding to see the long-term impact of the Tables in Communities Project, and we are grateful to have received this positive feedback from Mission Heights Primary School.

Three years after receiving two outdoor table tennis tables through the project, the tables continue to be a popular feature within the school and wider community.

Students regularly use them during breaks, while parents and community members enjoy them before and after school, as well as on weekends.

One of the most encouraging aspects of this feedback is hearing how the tables have helped create a space where people of different ages can come together, stay active, and connect through sport.

The letter highlighted the positive role the tables play in supporting:

• Active lifestyles
• Community connection
• Social interaction
• Inclusive recreation opportunities
• Shared use of school facilities

Stories like this demonstrate how a simple table tennis table can create lasting value for schools and neighbourhoods long after it has been installed.

A heartfelt thank you to Sport Auckland and the Tu Manawa fund for helping make projects like this possible.

Their support continues to help communities across Auckland access fun, accessible, and engaging sporting opportunities.

Thank you also to Mission Heights Primary School for sharing their experience and for continuing to champion table tennis within their community.

🏓🧠 There Is Greatness Inside You.

Yes — you.

Not just the top players.
Not just the naturally talented.
Not just the athletes winning medals.

Every single person reading this has more potential inside them than they realise 👀

And one of the smartest things you can do?

Keep moving. Keep training. Keep showing up.

Because table tennis is more than a game.

It’s a way to unlock:
⚡ energy you forgot you had
🧠 focus and mental sharpness
💪 resilience under pressure
❤️ better long-term health
🏓 confidence built through action

Here’s the truth:

Most people slowly drift into lower energy, less movement, and declining health…

But table tennis players choose something different.

This community is full of people who:
👉 challenge themselves
👉 stay active physically and mentally
👉 keep learning
👉 keep competing
👉 keep improving

That’s not average thinking.

That’s intelligent living.

And over time?

Those small decisions create something powerful:
A stronger body.
A sharper brain.
A better quality of life.

So if you’re struggling right now…
If life feels heavy…
If motivation is low…

Keep going.

Because your best days are still ahead of you.

🏓 There is greatness inside you.
Your job is to keep bringing it out — one session at a time.

Today we returned to Remuera Intermediate School to deliver another Tables in Communities session through the Tu Manawa programme.

A special thank you to Aiden and Tobias from Room 2, who volunteered to help support the sessions throughout the day.

Both students were fantastic role models and did an excellent job helping create a positive, fun, and welcoming environment for the younger students.

It is especially great to see young leaders from the school stepping up and giving back to the table tennis community.

Aiden and Tobias are also regular players at Auckland Table Tennis Association, and we really appreciate their enthusiasm, maturity, and willingness to help others enjoy the sport.

We would also like to sincerely thank Sport Auckland for providing Tu Manawa funding support, which helps make these opportunities possible for young people across our community.

🏓🔥 Huge congratulations to Eli Ho (Auckland) on winning the 🥇 U17 Boys’ Singles title and the 🥇 U15 Boys’ Singles title at the WTT Youth Contender San Francisco II 2026 in 🇺🇸 USA!

🏆 U17 Boys’ Singles Champion
Eli finished in the Top 2 of his group before producing a brilliant knockout run:

• Round of 16: def. 🇨🇦 Yohan Ouellet 3-0
• Quarter-final: def. 🇺🇸 Xianliang He 3-1
• Semi-final: def. 🇺🇸 Tanish Pendse 3-0
• Final: def. 🇹🇼 Cheng Min-Hsiu 3-2

Eli then backed up his performance by also winning the 🥇 U15 Boys’ Singles title 👏

An outstanding achievement and a fantastic example of the hard work, discipline, and resilience required to succeed on the international stage.

👏🇳🇿 Well done Eli — we are proud to see one of our Auckland players performing so strongly internationally! 💙🏓

Today we visited Point View School to deliver another exciting Tables in Communities session through the Tu Manawa programme.

It was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm, energy, and participation from the students throughout the day.

Sessions like these are a great way to introduce young people to table tennis while encouraging physical activity, confidence, and social connection in a fun and inclusive environment.

A big thank you to everyone at Point View School for welcoming us and supporting the programme.

We would also like to sincerely thank Sport Auckland for providing Tu Manawa funding support, which helps make these opportunities possible for schools and young people across our community.

Your support continues to help grow participation and provide positive sporting experiences throughout Auckland.

🏓 2026 July School Holidays Coaching Programme 🏓

Looking for a fun way to improve your table tennis these school holidays? Join the Auckland Table Tennis Association School Holiday Coaching Programme! Open to players aged 8–16 years old, from beginners through to competitive players.

📅 Monday 13 July – Friday 17 July 2026
⏰ 9.00am – 4.00pm daily (lunch break 12.00pm – 1.00pm)
📍 Auckland Table Tennis Stadium
99a Gillies Avenue, Epsom

⚠️ Limited to 90 players – pre-registration is essential!

Entries close Wednesday 8 July 2026.

📄 Registration form and full details:
https://tabletennis.net.nz/media/3997/tt-holiday-training-july-2026-new.pdf
We look forward to seeing you at the stadium these school holidays! 🏓🔥

We are incredibly grateful to have received this wonderful letter of support from Pasadena Intermediate School for the Auckland Table Tennis Association’s Tables in Communities Project.

It was fantastic to hear that the students found the session enjoyable, engaging, and inclusive, with strong participation and enthusiasm throughout the table tennis trials.

Positive feedback like this reinforces the impact that community sport can have on young people. 🏓

The letter also highlighted how the programme helps encourage:
• Physical activity
• Confidence building
• Social connection
• Student engagement
• Access to organised sport opportunities

We are especially proud that the project continues to provide free table tennis opportunities to schools that may otherwise have limited access to these experiences.

A sincere thank you to Auckland and the Tu Manawa fund for supporting initiatives like this and helping us continue delivering positive experiences across Auckland schools.

Thank you as well to the staff and students at Pasadena Intermediate School for your support and encouragement.

We look forward to continuing to grow table tennis opportunities within the community.

Today we visited Remuera Intermediate School to deliver another exciting Tables in Communities session through the Tu Manawa programme.

A big thank you to coach Ebi Kleiser and Dinyar Irani for supporting the session and helping create a fun and engaging environment for the students.

It was great to see so much energy, participation, and enthusiasm throughout the day. 🏓

We would also like to sincerely thank Sport Auckland for providing Tu Manawa funding support, which helps make these opportunities possible for young people in our community.

Your support continues to help schools access quality sport and physical activity experiences across Auckland.

🏓⚡ Pressure creates champions ⚡🏓

The 2026 Auckland Junior Open is getting closer… and you can feel it already 👀

Some players will arrive hoping not to lose.

Others will arrive ready to compete.

That’s the difference.

Because junior tournaments teach lessons that training alone never can:
🔥 handling pressure
🔥 recovering after mistakes
🔥 fighting through nerves
🔥 backing yourself when the match is tight

Every strong player remembers tournaments like this.
The nerves.
The intensity.
The big rallies.
The moments that made them better.

And here’s the reality:
Confidence doesn’t come before competition.
Confidence is built through competition.

📍 Auckland Table Tennis Stadium
📅 14 June 2026
⏰ Entries close 10 June

👉https://tabletennis.net.nz/media/3950/2026_auck_jun_open_entry_form.pdf

Step onto the court.
Test yourself.
Compete under pressure.
Grow your game.

See you at the Auckland Junior Open 🏓💪