More urged to take up sport

THE MASTER: Fleming Alison wants more youngsters to take up table tennis in Northland.PHOTO/JOHN STONE

A Northland table tennis veteran wants to see more children involved in a sport that he has proved can be played competitively for a long time.

Fleming Alison, 79, said table tennis was hugely popular in cities such as Auckland because of a bigger Chinese population who were traditionally the best in the game globally. It's also a sport you can continue well into life, with Alison recently winning three gold medals and a silver in the NZ Veterans Table Tennis championships.

"The problem up here is getting youngsters to play. It also has a lot to do with parents encouraging their children to take up the sport," he said.

"Once children have enough of this game, they'd want to be better than other players."

Alison was introduced to table tennis by his father-in-law in his home city of Southampton in England when he was 14 and has since played and coached the sport in New Zealand, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Hong Kong. He last competed in the New Zealand Veterans' Championship in Palmerston North during Easter weekend.

In the over 80s doubles, he partnered another veteran from the host city who had not played the sport for 25 years and who was a late replacement. The pair beat Australians Jim Furness and Case Le Bont who have been champs for a long time. In the over 80s singles, Fleming beat Le Bont.

Fleming partnered a Chinese competitor from New South Wales and defeated Kiwis Jim Jarman and Chip Eade in the over 75s doubles.

"I enjoy it, it's good exercise ... hand and mind co-ordination. It keeps you sharp and you play with a wonderful group of people."

Fleming also played when he was in the Merchant Navy. He also worked as a lecturer in maritime studies in the countries where he played and coached.

-Primary and intermediate school-aged children can attend sessions at the Table Tennis Centre in Kensington Stadium. They start on May 10 from 3.30pm and the charge is $2 per child. Contact Julie on 09 4591453 or via text on 0274 503456.