Table Tennis Australia records record 47 per cent growth in participation rates – TBEN

Table Tennis Australia’s (TTA) attendance figures for 2022 have surpassed the 200,000 mark for the first time in its history, breaking the previous record of 168,560 set in 2019. This means a whopping 47 percent growth in just three years. an impressive number considering the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The increase in the participation rate is almost evenly distributed between age groups, from young people aged 18 and under to veterans over 50.

Table Tennis Australia CEO Scott Houston confirmed this: Table tennis is probably the most inclusive sport in the world. It can be played by people of all ages, regardless of gender and skill. The equipment is relatively low compared to many other sports and it can be practiced in all seasons. The increase in our participation rate from 2019 to 2022 really shows how table tennis really is a sport for everyone and a sport for life.

TTA’s good results reflect not only the popularity of the sport itself, but also the association’s collective hard work to move the sport forward, especially at the grassroots level.

As a relatively small association, TTA serves eight state associations and around 250 member clubs, most of which are led by passionate volunteers. Over the years, TTA has worked hard to introduce the sport to a diverse group of people. This includes the Sports Schools program aimed specifically at school children to learn table tennis, as well as a series of competitions for participants of different age groups, such as the National Championships and the Veterans National Championships. They also presented various programs to stimulate interest in table tennis Spinneroos, an entry-level table tennis program that clubs can run to attract new participants, an Equipment and Facilities Grant program that allows clubs to apply for funding to upgrade their equipment and facilities. To motivate the group of volunteers, TTA has also created a national volunteer work recognition program, which recognizes volunteers and their efforts in several different categories.

Other initiatives to increase participation rates include the National Hopes and Pathways program, which organizes training camps and competitions for players under the age of 12, and the Para Pathways program, designed to inspire people with disabilities to play table tennis. Another way the TTA is working towards more active participation is by launching the TTA Tour, a series of national level events that provide players, officials and coaches with the opportunity to compete in the sport, increasing interest in the sport.

Table tennis has become a way for many young people to have fun and keep in touch with friends as a challenging sport that often requires fast reflexes, good eye-hand coordination and strategy. Many of these players can also practice the sport competitively. For older adults, table tennis provides an opportunity to stay active and maintain good physical and mental health, as well as an opportunity to remain competitive by participating in veteran leagues. With both the young and the elderly discovering the benefits of the sport, it’s no wonder that table tennis has quickly become a popular sport.

In September 2022, ITTF-Oceania will host the Australian ITTF-Oceania Championships, a continental event at Eastland Mall. This was aimed at introducing the sport to new audiences and increasing community participation, which succeeded on many levels. It highlighted some of the more innovative ways member associations are trying to increase participation in sport. You can read more about the initiative here.

The increased participation in table tennis reflects a wider trend as people around the world have turned to the sport both as a form of exercise and to compete. With its low impact, accessibility, social benefits and competitive options, table tennis is an obvious choice for people of all ages and abilities.

The positive results of TTA inspired the table tennis family to do more to raise the sport to a higher level, both competitively and casually, and to make table tennis an even more popular sport around the world.