- 2008 Australian Veterans Nationals report;
- “The Epic of the West” (and curt response);
- 1984: Our first nationals in Tassie;
- Minutes of inaugural ausvet meeting.
2008 Australian Veterans NationalsA Report by Case de Bondt
The twenty-fifth 2008 Australian Veterans Table Tennis Championships, held 11 – 18 October near Perth WA, saw 315 competitors from the ACT, Japan, NSW, NT, New Zealand, Queensland, SA , Tasmania, Victoria and WA taking part. Facilitating 30 tables under one roof in the Kingsway Indoor Stadium at Madeley in the northern suburbs ensured very competent organisation for what was the largest table tennis tournament ever held in WA!
The numbers were somewhat down from the all-time record entry of 376 players in Tallebudgera at the Gold Coast the previous year. Nevertheless the Championships proved as popular as ever and all credit must go to the WA organisers under the astute leadership of Irwin Parker, who was very ably supported by Dave Cooper and WATTA President Sue Lang, together with other members of their hard working organising committee.
The sad passing of popular and efficient official Fran Keyhoe, only a few weeks before the tournament, saw Reinhart Lot replace her as Deputy Referee. Fran’s eulogy was read out by TTA board member Phil Males, along with Ray Brown, Mike Johns and Joyce Tregea who had all been prominent in past championships and deceased during the previous year.
Another setback to the event was the sudden return home to NSW by our chairman Ken Cole, the day before the event, when his partner Kaye O’Loughlan took seriously ill. This was the first time the charismatic chairman of the TTA Veterans Committee missed out on competing since the inception in 1984. Only two other players, Dot Sanders and Pam Tait from Victoria, have played in as many (24) Australian championships.
Victoria, with 75 players, again had the largest contingent followed by NSW with 60 players. WA, the home State, was third largest with 54 contestants.
The nine very popular Team events were split with Victoria winning four age groups: Men’s 40, Women’s 50, Men’s 70 and Women’s 70. NSW was too good in the Men’s 50 and Men’s 60. Qld won the Women’s 40, SA the Women’s 60 and WA was victorious in the Men’s 75 event.
The hosts WA, did very well and missed out on the Men’s 50, 60 and 70 by coming gallant silver medallists. SA won silver in the Women’s 50 and 70 teams, whilst Victoria came second in the Women’s 40, Women’s 60 and Men’s 75 events.
Queensland came second in the Men’s 40’s.
South Australia’s Sharad Pandit confounded the selectors by easily taking out the 40 Men’s singles, defeating former champion Be Phu Huynh from Victoria in straight games. Andrea McDonnell from Qld likewise proved the selectors wrong by convincingly winning the 40 Women’s title for 2008.
The 50 Men’s was an all NSW affair with team mates Wayne Heginbotham and Bill Robson doing battle in the final. Wayne, from the number four seeded position, always too strong for everyone and deservedly was victorious.
The 60 Men’s was won by the title holder Ihn van Le from NSW who easily defeated Mick Wright from Victoria 3,4,3. However Mick earlier overcame WA’s Dennis Chen in a marathon upset quarterfinal, 11-9 in the fifth. Japan came on the board also with Toyoko Yamamoto winning the Women’s 60 title beating Joan Munn (VIC) in straight games.
Former world-ranked Dennis Chen from WA easily outplayed Victoria’s Igor Klaf in the final of the 65’s. Igor finally got on top of Ihn van Le again, after several years, by winning the semi-final 11-5 in the fifth. Toyoko Yamamoto won the double by repeating her victory over Joan Munn in the 65 Women’s final.
Evergreen Tony Herbert from Queensland won both the 70 and 75 titles, defeating Fred de Bondt from Victoria and Des Fitzpatrick from NSW respectively. SA’s Betty Bird narrowly overcame Elaine Edwards from NSW in the Women’s 70 whilst Victoria’s Dot Sanders retained her 75 title by again defeating her team mate Prisca Rosario in the final.
There were four entries in the Men’s 80’s and two in the Women’s 80’s.
Gary Luu from VIC was too good for his team mate Des Jones and Joan Guggenheim from Victoria beat SA‘s Jan Graebner. (Unfortunately our eldest competitor Dot De Low from NSW was hospitalised just prior to the championships and missed the event.)
The following players earned the table tennis world.com Best Player Awards:
Over 40 Men: Sharad Pandit (SA) Women: Andrea McDonnell (QLD)
Over 50 Men: Wayne Heginbotham (NSW) Women: Christine Little (NZ).
Over 60 Men: Inh Le (NSW) Women: Toyoko Yamamoto (JPN) Over 70 Men: Tony Herbert (QLD) Women: Betty Bird (SA).
Over 75 Men: Tony Herbert (QLD)
Igor Klaf from Victoria, when he won the 60 Mixed doubles with Joan Munn, accumulated his 55th Individual Gold medal. He reached this remarkable milestone since he won his first singles title in 1980, sometime after arriving in Australia from Russia. He currently stands head and shoulders above his nearest rivals.
All veteran players owe a great debt of gratitude to Bev and Brian James, who once again did a marvellous job of being Tournament Controllers, totally probatus.
THE EPIC OF THE WEST
A poem of hard-won experience by one who was there.
It was on for young and old – well, OK mainly old
At the Kingsway Indoor Stadium way out West
In over 70 men’s final to decide
Between Sandgropers and the Vics just who was best
It opened with Mick Lee, West’s no. 1
Against Furness, ranked Victoria’s no. 2
And with Mick unbeaten at that stage
Jim didn’t know quite what he should do
Well nothing ventured, nothing gained
He set about the task
And took the 1st game 11-9
What more could anyone ask?
But come the 2nd Mick fought back
To prove what he could do
And won the game 11-8
He’d show this upstart who was who!
At change of ends the Vic squad gather round
And with their unrelenting support
They sent Jim back into the fray
To face the mighty Mick with this thought
You’ve done it once, you’ve got the tools
So get out there and win
And show these blokes that we’re no fools
And he did just that with a grin
An un-expected Victorian win
We’ve got them on the run
And Gordon’s understatement to Jim
“An important win that one”
The next 4 rubbers of the match
Produced results we knew
Would likely happen anyway
And Victoria lead 3-2
And now the big one of the night
Between the top ranked pair
Case and Mick prepare to fight
Excitement fills the air
Case is yet to lose a match
And opens like a shot
To win the first 2 games for us
He’s really running hot
But Mick is not to be denied
And takes games 3 then 4
An un-believable turnaround
Ironically at that score!
The 5th is fought with tooth and nail
And goes down to the wire
Case’s forehand smash is of no avail
He’s now in straits so dire
Mick just hangs in there steadfastly
The game will him befall
And bring the `gropers back on track
The score becomes 3 all
Match seven now the focal point
Neil Coy v Fred DeBondt
A win will bring much glory here
It’s what they both would want
This game will now influence the result
Much more than was first thought
And Fred prevailed to lift the Vics
With a battle that was hard fought
At 3-4 down the `gropers now
In a state of desperation
Recall Dave Cooper to team with Mick
Can he be their salvation?
A shocking start they lose the first
An embarrassing love – eleven
But Dave fights back, he lifts his game
It seems he’s helped by Heaven
Dave keeps on belting Case and Jim
Mick’s just there for the ride
They take the 2nd, 3rd & 4th
`Twas Dave who turned the tide
Four each now, match is up for grabs
The captains to the fore
Its Case v Gordon in the ring
But Case wins out once more
Now 4-5 down it’s Neil’s last chance, a win will change the course
And easily taking out the 1st, is this a change of luck?
But in the 2nd, 3rd & 4th
Is when “The Phantom” struck!
Those bloody backhand pimples
The ball is there, then not
You think you hit it hard enough
When you play your return shot
The ball looks like it might go back
But falls into the net
Have faith Neil in ITTF
They’ll ban the buggers yet
The Vics have won and looking back
What might have meant so much
Is when the Vic squad gathers round
To support their man as such
Team Gold goes safely to the Vics
And Silver to the `gropers
We must not be un-gracious
And call them those no hopers
For next October in New South
The year 2009
We’ll do it all once more of course
But result could change next time
by Jim Furness, December 2008.
[Photo of match Scoreboard still to be posted]
A CURT RESPONSE FROM ONE OF THE VANQUISHED
Yours with sincere legality,
that told it blow by blow
whilst the Epic was unfolding
posted for all of us to know...
Whilst those humble western few
had the mighty Vics askew
till they used that phantom beast
to take gold once more to the east.
From the narrator who posted every deed
for all those who shared and cared to read:
There is such an abundance of gold in WA,
we planned to play for silver anyway!
1984: OUR FIRST NATIONALS IN TASSIE
Following 12 years of attaching Men’s Veteran Singles and doubles events to the Australian Open each year from 1972 the initiative to commence our now well-established national Veterans Championships began in Hobart.
An initiating letter, dated 27 July, 1983, was generated by Ian Stennard of Hobart and sent to fellow Hobartian Laurie Wharmby as Tasmanian delegate and Vice President of the Australian Table Tennis Association. Some of the quotes from Ian’s letter are worthy reflections when read today, and to quote:
“Table tennis has been played in Australia for over 50 years and with the number of mature age players steadily increasing there is a need to provide incentives to maintain the interest of this group of players…for the older player the sport provides an outgoing form of recreation which is mentally stimulating and provides beneficial exercise…a lifetime of sporting activity if competition is available at comparable levels of proficiency.”
“…the ATTA Council is asked to consider approval for an annual Australian Veteran’s Table Tennis Championship…men’s and women’s teams competition for players over 40, and individual singles and doubles events…over the ages of 40, 50, 60 and 70…it may appear that an over 70 event is inappropriate…However, this could be a ‘glamour’ event and I consider inclusion is warranted provided four entries are received. (Tasmania has at least three players over 70.)”
“By stimulating interest at the mature age level players would be retained who would otherwise be lost to the game due to their inability to cope with younger opponents…Players would be able to aspire to State representation even after their playing peak has been reached …The proposed championship would not increase the financial pressure on competing States or the host State as all players would be expected to meet their own expenses. In some States…assistance may be forthcoming as a result of special fund raising efforts” (End of Ian’s quotes)
The Tasmanian Executive supported Ian’s proposal and Laurie Wharmby put the proposal to the ATTA Council, along with an offer to conduct the championships in Hobart as a ‘trial event’.
With the still cool southern Tasmanian time of November 18-24 decided upon these vanguard championships were staged at the Kingborough Table Tennis Centre, at Kingston, some 25 km SW of the Hobart CBD. In his welcome to competitors and officials, then recently elected president of the Australian Table Tennis Association, Laurie Wharmby astutely declared:
“You all deserve a special welcome, not because this is the first (sic) Veteran’s Championship, and that is reason enough, but because you are the representatives of those throughout the land (including New Zealand) who have served the sport over many years as players, umpires, coaches, officials and supporters – name it, and collectively you have done it.
What better way of rewarding that service than having the opportunity of coming to this fair city to take part in your very own championship.”
Laurie Wharmby (1921-2003), who had been described as the ‘heart and soul of Table tennis in Tasmania’, enjoyed a long and distinguished dedication to the sport, at local, State and National levels over more than half a century.
THE EVENTS
Seventy-four players competed in the championships: 45 males and 31 females, with 17 from the host State. Five states and New Zealand were represented in men’s team competition; five states in the women’s; with no representatives from Western Australia.
Victoria won the men’s team event from 2.Tasmania, 3.Sth Australia (unlucky to lose 4/5 to the Vics when at 4 rubbers each a very nervous Roy Cintolo fell over the line to defeat Lucien Taylor), 4.Queensland, 5.NSW, 6.New Zealand (a team of older veterans). The women’s was won by an extremely strong Queensland contingent over 2.Victoria, 3.Sth Australia, 4.Tasmania, 5.NSW.
With the teams competition being on Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday was declared a social break with a day trip to the iconic Port Arthur, two road hours out of Hobart.
The individual events on Thursday and Friday being played in round robin format with the finals on Friday night. Star of the Men’s Over-40s events was Igor Klaff, who had not played in the Victorian team because he did not qualify after living the previous 12 months playing and coaching in the USA. Igor had a very comfortable 21-8, 21-8 win over South Australian Eugene Herman in the Over-40 Singles and combined with George Puchlenko to defeat fellow Victorians Roy Cintolo and Jim Healy 6, 11 in the doubles. In the Over-40 Mixed he teamed with Prisca Rosario to lose -17, -15 to Eugene Herman and Queenslander Joyce Tregea.
In the Women’s Over 40s Queenslander Jill Whisson had a comfortable 10, 15 victory over team mate Tregea. Rosario teamed with Tassie’s Margaret Walker for a -13, 18, 9 win over Tregea & Whisson in the doubles.
With only singles being played in the older age groups it was the New Zealanders to the fore with John Lelliot defeating Queenslander Sigi Feige 15, 12 in the men’s Over 50s. In the men’s Over 60s two Kiwis fought it out with Theo Sandberg hard fought win over Frank O’Gorman -16, 20, 17. In the Men’s Over 70s Victorian Bruce Campbell defeated Tassie’s Roy Chappell and Tas Jones in a round robin.
The women’s finals were close contests with Rosario defeating Ursula Fitzgerald of Queensland 18, -20, 18 in the Over 50s. In the Over 60s round robin Thelma Beaumont of NSW beat Pat Beard of Sth Australia and New Zealander Isobel Cleland.
KARMA
Victorian teams Manager Peter Mascall reported in the VTTA News Sheet that the tournament was played in a friendly spirit with Jill Whisson being quoted as saying “It’s nice to see a smiling face at the other end of the table”. ‘There was never a shortage of volunteer umpires…congratulations freely given to the winners, as well as thanks to the umpires…It was almost like playing in dreamland where the right thing was always done – just because it was the right thing.’
Further into the VTTA report Jim Healy stated ‘I know from talking to many of the players and officials that the general consensus of opinion was that the Champs were very successful and cannot fail to go to bigger and better things. There was a good feeling of companionship and sportsmanship which is missing from the game today, more’s the pity’
Healy continued ‘Everyone seemed to have enough energy to front up to the casino nightly after a hard day’s play, and most of us arrived home broke…I would suggest here that anybody thinking of going to Brisbane in ’85 start serious training NOW in…gambling, drinking, going without sleep for a week, and generally having a good time…don’t forget the T.T.’
This historic event was culminated with a presentation dinner on the Saturday night at the Hobart Pacific Motel at Knocklofty in West Hobart.
Mascall also reported ‘From the time teams stepped off the plane to the sad time teams all departed the “Tassies” did us proud by running a very smooth program – local sight seeing and stacks of friendly advice and service for eight days.’
UPON REFLECTION
Many thanks to Ian Stennard, who had been Secretary of the Organising Committee, for posting his memorabilia from this first for veterans in our Land Down Under:
With the big event being co-sponsored by the Tasmanian Government and Stephenson – Onga to the tune of $500 each the Income & Expenditure Statement presented by Ian showed an income of $2250.25 (entry fees $1188) with Total Expenditure at $2236 for a theoretical ‘profit’ of $14.25! (interesting to compare this with Statements from the recent Gold Coast and Perth championships).
And to quote from Ian’s comments “There was a strong sense of camaraderie amongst the participants and a sense of novelty at participating in a championship where all players were over 40…I clearly remember the look of delight on the face of Tasmanian Over 80 player Tas Jones as he took to the table in a round robin for the total field of three players in the Over 70 singles. Unfortunately for Tas, a Foundation Member of the Tasmanian Association in 1936, there were no other over 80 players for him to play.”
And to continue “Once the date of the championship was set former players began to re-emerge to compete in selection trials and championships in their respective states. The championship demonstrated that table tennis was a ‘sport for life’ and veterans rosters (pennants) and championships started to appear on the calendars in each state. It was particularly gratifying to have a five-man New Zealand team compete in the teams matches. This gave the championship an international flavour and was particularly good from a publicity point of view. The New Zealanders enjoyed the week immensely and on their return pushed for a national NZ veterans which came to fruition three years later.”
Written by Neil Coy, from data supplied by Ian Stennard, with comments on the text by Ian, Margaret Gabbedy and Case de Bondt.
MINUTES of INAUGURAL VETERANS MEETING to set up AUSVETS TT Inc in Perth 2008
On 10 October 2008, at the KingswayIndoor Sports Stadium, the first ever meeting of Australian veteran players was convened with the aim to set up ‘AusVets TT Inc’ so as to be totally independent from TTA (with regards to running all things concerning Veteran Table Tennis).
More than 60 attended this meeting. Sadly Ken Cole, the chairman of the TTA Veterans sub-committee, was called back home to NSW again, as his partner Kay had turned gravely ill.
Case de Bondtopened the meeting and informed all present of the reason why Ken Cole could not be withus. He exhorted all present to remember both Kay and Ken in their thoughts and prayers. This is the first time in 25 years that Ken would not participate in the championships.
He then set out the proposed aims and the purpose for this extra-ordinary meeting:
REASONS for the New Beginning of AusVets TT Inc
“No better time than the present it being our 25th Vet Anniversary.
“You’ve all heard the saying don’t fix something that ain’t broke… Things however are far from wholesome on the Vet scene. You’ve received my previous communications and I apologise to those that haven’t as we didn’t have all the e-mail addresses. This is only one of the many aspects when autonomous that will be much improved. We’ll get:
“Our own DATA BASE
“Our own RATINGS SYSTEM
“Our own HALL of FAME
“Our own SELECTION CRITERIA
“Our own CONSTITUTION
“Our own FINANCES
“Above all to be INDEPENDENT and make our own DECISIONS, CONTRIBUTIONS, COMMUNICATIONS and PLANNINGfor the future, whilst remaining under the umbrella of TTAand pursuing Good Standing with same.
“Our ability to NEGOTIATE
“We have none of the above at present; in fact we are being frustrated, stifled and stymied.
“Part of the STRATEGY is appointing capable administrators for our fledgling Association.”
Case de Bondt then proceeded to nominate Martin Solomons to chair the meeting and said all present would be given ample opportunity to speak on the subject. He asked for someone to second the motion and Alan Hopkins seconded same.
Martin Solomons welcomed all present and declared the meeting open for business at 7.20 pm. Apologies was tendered for Debbie Wilson, Vicki Carruthers, Joan Munn and Brian Berry.
The consensus of the meeting was that it considered it to be desirable to negotiate with TTA and the State Associations, that AusVets TTInc be in Good Standing with them and that AusVets TT Inc, although autonomous, remain under the ‘umbrella’ of TTA.
Alan Hopkins suggested that we first approach TTA and ask for their approval to become autonomous. However the vast majority of those present felt that this would not be the right way to go, but to do the negotiating on an equal footing when incorporated.
Michael Ede moved:
“That AusVets TT Inc be set up and registered, that an interim steering committee be formed, establish a Mission Statement and a proposed Constitution to be presented for ratification at the inaugural Annual General Meeting at Hurstville in 2009.” This motion was seconded by Mark Hall and the motion was duly carried with one vote against, and four abstentions.
Moved Bryan Harper:
“That the present interim committee of Ken Cole, Case de Bondt, Clive Sim, Prisca Rosario and Martin Solomons be appointed as the new Committee to carry out the necessary steps preceding the 2009 AGM.” This motion was seconded by Dave Sherman and carried by the meeting with the same majority.
The meeting also agreed to allow the present Committee to co-opt a member of those States and Territories not as yet represented on this Committee. The new Committee then was empowered to levy each new member a registration fee of $5.00 per annum, to cover the costs of setting up the corporation and to cover other incidental costs.
The meeting was closed by the chairman at approximately 9.00 pm.
Subsequently all players received a flyer during the week of competition and more than a hundred replies were received in the affirmative. Only three of those were against the formation of AusVet TT Inc. One of those stated that ‘splinter groups generally cause trouble’.
This was by a person from the Northern Territory, who is well meaning, but quite unaware what we are about. We are certainly not about causing a rift with the larger table tennis fraternity, but only desire to run Veteran affairs without undue interference from the national and state Associations who have shown to have little understanding of the needs of Veterans.
