Conversation with the people behind the Port Pirie Table Tennis Club Recorder

For many people, table tennis is a fun backyard game.

They may have fond memories of hitting balls with their brothers and sisters, laughing and screaming as they desperately defend themselves with a racket.

But some see it as much more than just a game.

Sue and Steve Gray are a great example of this because they have dedicated much of their lives to a sport they both love.

Not only did they find passion and skill at the consecrated tables of the Port Pirie Table Tennis Club, they also found each other.

Speaking to The Recorder in the clubhouse they built comfortably, the couple recounted the ups and downs of their table tennis career.

“I started around 1968, so I was a late starter by today’s standards,” Steve said.

Sue added, “I got it through a high school friend whose brother was Steve’s friend; that’s how we met.”

Steve jokingly asked Sue if he joined the party to chase him, which got an immediate “no.”

“It was then called the Concordia Table Tennis Club and was part of the Pirie Association,” Steve continued.

“I fell in love with the game just the way it was a new game and I had a thirst to learn and improve my skills.”

They did not know after meeting that they would end up starting a family together and bringing two sons into the world.

“Table tennis was bought for them, and we encouraged the kids to play sports,” Steve said.

Sue added: “Because we went to tournaments across the country, they came with us.

“They never complained too much.”

They said one of the most important things for table tennis for them is the opportunity to share it with their family.

Their two sons are playing, and recently their grandson has started picking up the game.

“It’s probably made me play longer than I might have just made my son play, which I can’t beat anymore,” Steve said.

“And the fact that my grandson picks it up and plays is, I think, pretty special.”

Sue humbly explained how proud they were both of their sons ’achievements in table tennis when they both made it to the state veterans side this year.

“We gave them their talent,” he said.

The only part of the game they’re “a little past” is the coaching side, even after training players representing the state.

“All the new rules on police inspections and things like that – I don’t feel as comfortable as I did before coaching,” Steve said.

“I also may not be as patient as before.”

Sue then explained how they used to hold junior competitions and coaching camps where parents left their children in the club for a couple of hours.

Nevertheless, the couple was still proud of their accomplishments in coaching, as she has received recognition for her efforts on several occasions.

“We won the club administration. I think I won the coach of the year a couple of years before that,” Steve said.

Sue added, “We didn’t name ourselves, so it was really nice that the people around us put us in those rewards.”

Through many ups and downs, one of the club’s biggest challenges has been over the last couple of years.

The outbreak of COVID has prevented the club from holding many of its competitions, and numbers have fallen.

“We started in February last year when a great new group of players came along, then we had to quit and we lost them all,” Sue said.

Steve said, “We have that core set of players coming back, and it’s been pretty similar this year, too. It knocked us out pretty much, but it’s sustainable.”

They hope to see more faces during the new year as the club focuses on recruiting to strengthen their numbers.

Both Sue and Steve have many stories about table tennis, and even though they feel their time is in the spotlight, the couple wants to continue to dedicate themselves to the sport they love.