News

Table tennis tournament ticked off

By Eamon Kurta

Aug 20, 2025

Ash Button and Judy James competing in the mixed doubles against John Wright and Shantel Hives.

Deniliquin Table Tennis Club served up its first-ever major tournament at the Deniliquin Stadium across the weekend and it was a smashing success.

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With 67 players from across Victoria and NSW competing in the over-30s category, the event exceeded expectations and brought a vibrant energy to the local sporting scene.

Fifteen tables were set up across the stadium, with help from the Shepparton and Echuca table tennis organisations, transforming the venue into a hive of activity.

Pingpong balls bounced as players battled it out in singles, gender doubles, mixed doubles, and graded division matches.

The atmosphere was electric, with spectators and competitors alike soaking in the action.

Event organiser and club founder Judy James was thrilled with how the weekend unfolded.

“It’s been a really good weekend,” she said.

Adding prestige to the event was the participation of Div Mallya, reigning Victorian female champion in the over-30s category, who travelled from Echuca to compete.

“Judy’s done an amazing job,” she said.

“It’s so good to get all these players out to the country.”

While the tournament focused on the over-30s division, a few local juniors were invited to take part, gaining valuable experience in a competitive setting.

James was especially pleased to see younger players getting involved and it being something she’ like to grow.

“It’s a really good sport for kids,” she said.

“It helps with hand-eye coordination and brain development.”

The social side of table tennis was also on full display.

Two of the Deniliquin club’s juniors sung table tennis praises.

“It’s the people that you meet at the tournaments,” Archie Beehag noted.

“You make friends through it,” Chris Dixon added.

Off the court, Yarkuwa catered the event, keeping players and spectators well-fed, while Costas provided free bananas to all competitors, a thoughtful touch that kept energy levels high throughout the weekend.

The Coach House Hotel, Big 4 Holiday Park, Deni Golf Resort and the Deniliquin RSL Club also helped out to make sure the weekend was memorable.

The club hopes this marks the beginning of many more tournaments to come.

Results from the tournament are as follows:

Saturday

• O/40 Men's Singles - John Salem.

• O/40 Women's Singles - Melisa Ball.

• O/60 Men's Singles - Herman Pekel.

• O/60 Women's Singles - Vicki Carruthers.

• O/70 Men's Singles - Kenneth Dawber.

• O/70 Women's Singles - Judy James.

• O/40 Mixed Doubles - J Salem and A Brindley.

• O/60 Mixed Doubles - P and S Bolitho.