Have a go at ping pong at the club

(l-r) Geoff Downey, Hazel Fawcett, Kerry Mramor and Alan Manning enjoy a game of doubles.

Some people call it table tennis, others ping pong, but by either name, it is a great game to play, says Alan Manning.

Alan is the president of the Stratford Table Tennis Club, and says the sport is fun for all ages and abilities.

"We play socially here, so it is a mix of abilities and there isn't any pressure. Just gentle and enjoyable games with friendly people."

Alan says he got involved more than a decade ago, when then club president Colin Roskilly encouraged him to come along.

"I enjoyed it from the first time I tried it, and here I am, many years later, still playing and enjoying it."

Fellow club member Kerry Mramor, who Alan says is one of the club's best players, started playing table tennis when she was a young girl, she says.

"I stopped for a long time. I was doing other things and didn't play for about 30 years, then I came along to this club and got involved again."

Kerry says the sport is a great way to keep active, and the friendly, non-competitive nature of the club means it is a fun way to spend a couple of hours on a Wednesday evening.

Hazel Fawcett is another club member who first played many years ago.

"That doesn't mean anyone wanting to join has to have experience in the sport," says Alan. "We welcome players of all levels, including those who have never tried it before. We are happy to help people learn the rules and try the sport out for themselves."

Hazel says she gave up playing some other sports, such as badminton and tennis for health reasons.

"I had my third hip revision last year and a knee operation, but I can still play table tennis as it is gentler on the limbs while still keeping you active." Kerry says playing a sport like table tennis help keeps you active not only physically but also mentally.

"It's good for your mind as well. It keeps you thinking, keeps your brain working hard, and the social side is also good for your health of course."

Alan says they would love to see some new members come along and join their club.
"We can have up to 16 here playing some nights, but other nights we only have enough for one or two games of doubles. We are hoping more people will come along and try it out for themselves, as it would be great to see more players enjoying the sport."

The club has spare equipment, says Alan.

"We never charge for the first night either, so you can try it out free of charge. Children are welcome too, it is a great sport for all ages."

Call into the Stratford Table Tennis Club on Wednesday evenings at the Scout Den in Stratford, from 7.30 to 9.30pm call Alan on 06 765 0593 (evenings) or 021 029 00439.