July And August Busy Months For Table Tennis

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14712, 2 July 1948, Page 5

July And August Busy Months For Table Tennis

North Island Titles To Be Decided

Likely Programme For District (By “Topspin”) July and August are busy months for the many table tennis enthusiasts in the district and throughout New Zealand. The three major tournaments, New Zealand, North Island and South Island championships, are held in August, and in July many association handicap and championship tournaments are staged. In Tauranga, headquarters for the Bay of Plenty association, it is probable that the North Island championship will be held on August 13 and August 14, and the Bay of Plenty championship a week or two weeks later. In July, the two handicap tournaments will bo held. These two events covering A and B grades, give all players the opportunity of competing in tournament play. The handicaps allotted are based on performances in inter-club and other matches held during the season. In the past, the B grade events have been held at the Omokoroa club rooms, while last season the A grade event was staged in Tauranga. this season reach major proportions thi sseason reach major proportions I would strongly advise the association to consider the holding of these two events in the Rivoli drill hall. It is now the association’s duty to cater for the many players in the To Puke area and by holding the tournament in a more central locality, entries , will be greatly increased, and with sufficient tables provided and adequate lighting installed, the drill hall, with its ample back room, is undoubtedly the ideal hall for this popular tournament. North Island Championships It is now almost certain that the North Island tournament will be held in Tauranga, and special committees are being appointed to organise this major event. Special attention will have to be paid to seating arrangements as a tournament of this nature will attract hundreds of spectators. It is considered that eight tables would bo sufficient, but in the event of the entries being very heavy ten tables could easily be placed, with ample back and side room, in the drill hall. Lighting requirements are also another major problem, and in this respect standards have been fixed by the New Zealand association and must be adhered to. The Bay of Plenty Association has at present sufficient lamps and flex to place two 200-watt lamps over three tables in the drill hall. In providing for a third light over these tables and additional equipment for the extra tables, attention must also be drawn to sufficient back lighting. In many club rooms much attention has been paid to table lighting and no thought has been given to lighting back from the table with the result that a player being forced back from the table to play defensive table tennis finds it extremely difficult to accurately sight the ball. Many Visitors Expected

With the top-class players who will be entering in the tournament and who play a fast driving game it is essential that lighting must be of the very best standard. The tournament will draw many visitors from all parts of the North Island and as Wellington players hold the majority of the titles a number of entries from that city is assured. Entries from Auckland will certainly be numerous, and with the many friends who accompany players to this major tournament, there will be an influx of visitors to Tauranga for the weekend of the championships.