Pages plush with 75 years of Paddling
By Jamie Melbourne-Hayward
The Empire Table Tennis Club launched its 75th Jubilee Book last week, celebrating their unabated growth and continuing popularity with both young and old. Promotions Convener Stephen Hope became involved with the club only a few years ago, but his wife has been paddling ping pong balls for over 30 years. ?I?ve never beaten my wife; she doesn?t bother playing me really, because she has been the club women?s champion for a few years. ?Some of our members have been here 60 years, we have a 79-year-old who still competes; they have built a really good place here and we want to celebrate that,? says Mr Hope. The club formed in 1934, the same year at the Hutt Valley table tennis club, and has outgrown its neighbouring club to now house the main table tennis stadium in Wellington. ?We have been really fortunate to have had some long term, committed members who have given their time generously to the club. ?The continuous growth for 75 years is what we are celebrating, along with the old and the growing.? The club?s two biggest groups are 70-80-year-olds and 10-20-year-olds, displaying a wonderful dichotomy that attests to table tennis being ?a game for life?. ?Last year we had a 10 per cent growth in membership numbers, so the club certainly doesn?t rest on its laurels,? he says. The club has produced its fair share of New Zealand representatives over the years, and claim five spots on the Petone Walk of Champions. ?The place has been transformed from playing in someone?s back-yard to having our own fully paid-for stadium, it?s quite an achievement.? The book was launched at the club last Wednesday, where they had readings from the book and hosted Petone Community Board members, local MP Paul Quinn and Sport Wellington representatives.
