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Keen-ager table tennis comes to Moe and Morwell

With an emphasis on fun rather than fitness, retirees and older Latrobe residents are now able to enjoy non-competitive table tennis in Morwell and Moe as part of the Keen-agers program.

By Latrobe Shire Council - 26th October 2004 - Back to News

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Darrell White said that the program was sponsored by VicHealth under the ‘Active for Life’ banner in association with Table Tennis Victoria, and was established in Bairnsdale in 2001.

"Since then, Keen-agers clubs have been formed around the state, including Traralgon, which hosts sessions at the Table Tennis Stadium in Davidson Street. We are now delighted that Keen-agers clubs are now been formed in Morwell and Moe," Cr White said.

"The two new clubs are being launched this week. One at the Morwell Leisure Centre and the other at the Moe/Newborough Sports Centre and we hope to see many retirees and older people come to join in the fun," Cr White said.

Keen-agers convenor, John Gale, said that the initiative was proving a success as it concentrated on getting older members of the community out for social activity as well as providing light exercise.

"With today’s more sedentary lifestyle, people of all ages are missing out on valuable exercise. For older persons, it can be intimidating to join a gym, take an aerobics class or go swimming. With Keen-agers, the emphasis is on the social interaction that a short game of table tennis can provide rather than the skills or fitness required. The exercise factor, though important, is almost incidental," Mr Gale explained.

"For many seniors, their Keen-agers session is the best morning of the week. They play a game or two, have a coffee and chat and go home energised, looking forward to the next time. We do not worry about a structured format, and people can play doubles or singles as preferred. They can come to every session, or just when they feel like it, and there is no obligation to stay for the whole time. You do not have to provide your own equipment as you can hire bats and as long as you have non-marking soles on your footwear, you are ready to play," Mr Gale said.

Councillor Bruce Lougheed was at the Morwell Leisure Centre when the first of the new table tennis tables was set up.

"The introduction of the Keen-agers program is a great boost in providing opportunities for the more mature community. There are plenty of people with time on their hands who do not necessarily want to get involved in competitive sport but who want to stay active and have fun. Table tennis is great fun and I can see enormous potential for this program," Cr Lougheed said.

"By holding the Keen-agers sessions at the Morwell Leisure Centre and the Moe/Newborough Sports Centre on weekday mornings, Council is also ensuring that the indoor stadiums at these centres are being used not just more frequently, but to their best capacity.

"For those who attend the inaugural sessions, there will also be an opportunity to become involved in the committee to ensure that the Keen-agers sessions are efficiently organised and meet the needs of all the participants," Cr Lougheed explained.

Cr White said that with Keen-agers now servicing the whole Latrobe community, the opportunity existed for lots of social interaction between the local clubs.

"The reintroduction of table tennis facilities to Moe and Morwell after many years is welcome as enhancing the range of recreation and social activities for the community. For retirees and seniors, the Keen-agers concept is ideal. Social and physical activity combined into a fun, unstructured session with like-minded peers," Cr White concluded.

The Morwell Keen-agers program started on Monday 25 October with sessions being held on Mondays and Thursdays, 9am to 11am.

The Moe/Newborough Keen-agers program is being launched on Thursday 28 October between 9am and 11am. Sessions will then be held on Mondays and Thursdays 9am to 11am.

A ‘come and try open day’ is being held at Traralgon Table Tennis Club (next to soccer ground) on Monday 1 November between 9.30am and 11.30am. Sessions are held on Mondays and Thursdays 9.30am to 11.30am.

There is a session fee of $3 and an annual registration fee of $15 to cover social membership to Table Tennis Victoria and insurance.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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