Paddles up as tabletop code surges

TABLE-TENNIS TUITION: Josh Halley is given some coaching in table tennis by Eric Barbier at Ilminster Intermediate School. Picture by Paul Rickard

TABLE TENNIS

TABLE tennis — once strong in Gisborne — is re-emerging in the city.

A new club has started and a group of adults meet at Ilminster Intermediate School on Thursday nights.

Children at the school receive coaching in the sport at lunchtime on Thursdays.

Eric Barbier, better known as an administrator in football circles, is one of the adults behind the revival of table tennis in Gisborne.

It was the sort of sport where people could feel comfortable, whatever their skill level, he said.

“To start with, there were about six of us,” Barbier said.

There was enough interest to get a club going and Barbier met with Ilminster Intermediate principal Peter Ferris.

“There was an opportunity to bring back table tennis in Gisborne and coach the kids once a week,” Barbier said.

“We don’t pay for use of the gym but we give our time to the kids.”

About 15 pupils have been coming along at lunchtimes and the club night attracts about 20 people.

“It’s early days but I’m optimistic there’s space to grow something quite substantial in Gisborne.”

Ilminster is due to have an inter-school tournament with Napier’s Taradale Intermediate next month.