Don Martin is the first of many people that Maitland Social Table Tennis Club hopes will take up the sport this year.
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Or in Martin’s case, resume play.
“I played a lot of table tennis in high school,” he said.
“I didn’t take it up again until I moved to Tenambit recently.”
The introduction of a Tuesday night session at the Masonic Hall in central Maitland gives people the opportunity to attend any one of four meetings a week.
The Masonic Lodge session is for people like Martin and beginners.
“I’m sure I’m better now than what I was before,” Martin said.
“It’s a great sport, that’s for sure.”
Martin has quickly slipped back into the swing of things and has started to attend more sessions through the week.
“They’re a great bunch of people,” he said.
“You can play two days a week, two nights a week.”
Martin said the sport was a good way to keep active.
“It’s reasonably low impact on the joints, but it can be quick,” he said.
“It’s meant to be good for the mind too.
“I’ve played a lot of tennis, so there’s a natural progression.”
Table tennis is an Olympic sport and Australia is a formidable force in the world game.
This was recently demonstrated with a bronze at the Commonwealth Games in the women’s team table tennis.
Club secretary Bill Picton said the membership was social and only a little competitive.
“Due to the overwhelming success of our Friday night games, we’ve decided to introduce Tuesday nights at the Masonic Hall,” he said.
“If you’re not competitive or haven’t played for a long time, Tuesdays are perfect.”
The Tuesday night session starts 6.30pm.
Registration with Maitland Social Table Tennis Club costs $12 a year and $4 per visit.
The Tuesday and Thursday morning sessions are held at the Polish Hall on Grant Street, Maitland, which is the same venue for the Friday night games.
For more information or to join in the fun call Bill Picton on 4966 1478 or 0425 211 354.