Saturday, September 24, 2011

Look mum we're on TV!!!


Was lots of fun this morning playing Ping Pong in the wind and rain at the two new outdoor tables at Darling Quarter, Darling Harbour. Did you see our mad skills on the Channel 9 Weekend Today weather report?

Thanks to Andre from Braza for making up our numbers. You are the "Sping King"!!!

Stay tuned for more Pong news!!!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Dust off your bat and head to Bronte RSL

Next comp at Bronte RSL is October 1st.
11.30am rego, cost $10 entry.
1st prize $2oo cash
placings will get gift vouchers

www.brontersl.com.au

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Did you see a bunch of crazy guys pushing a Table Tennis Table 9kms around Sydney last Saturday?

That would have been us.
We were raising some dosh to raise money to help build our church building that burnt down a few years ago.

Give us some of your hard earned money now!!!

It was a 9km walk where we stopped at 7 different churches on the way.

To make it easier on ourselves we pushed a Pinkewich table 9kms so that we would have something to do at each stop.

You still have time to reward us for our wonderful efforts

Click on this link to donate!!!







Thursday, August 11, 2011

Ping Pong at the Forbes

So, Ping Pong is on tonight at the Forbes.
Not quite sure what level we are on, and not quite sure who will be turning up.

But Pong is on, and that's what matters.

Viva la Pong!!!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Pong Playing Staff or Student at UNSW?

Then get down to the Unigame tryouts this Thursday (11th August).

This is from the UNSW Table Tennis Club's Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/groups/122396586919/?id=10150251898506920¬if_t=group_activity

The Unigames Tryouts will be continued on thursday 4-7pm for all those who could not make it to the monday session, if you wish to tryout for unigames you must be either a staff or student of UNSW. We are currently looking for some more girls and guys that wish to try out for the UNSW team so if you know anyone who is interested please bring them along.

When you go to the session please inform us that you wish to try out so we know.

Thanks

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Forbes Ping Pong starting up again

Play Ping Pong Smack Bam in the middle of Sydney CBD.
We are starting up again this week.
Tuesday and Thursday afternoon/evening.

Free to play and hang.

See you there!!!

Forbes Hotel
Corner King and York St
Sydney CBD (Central Business District)

Friday, August 5, 2011

Everything you wanted to know about Table Tennis but were afraid to ask...

There are lots of good sites out there for learning about Table Tennis.
Pingskills, TT Edge (get the pun?) and more.

But for everything you wanted to know about Table Tennis go to Greg Letts' awesome site:
About.com Table Tennis/Ping Pong.

I don't know Greg, I've only conversed with him once on FB, but he is a Ping Pong maven and collates and presents a comprehensive treasure trove of Table Tennis.

His Friday Weekly updates are very informative too. Go here for his latest.

Thanks for all you are doing Greg Letts.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Table has gone from gaffa but Forbes will be back soon

We're planning to start up the club again at the Forbes hotel, cnr King and York St in the middle of Sydney City.

This will hopefully fill the hole that has been created from our table leaving the gaffa gallery. Nevertheless, keep an eye out for it to pop up again at gaffa or at other venues.

And we'd like to take a moment to thank gaffa for loving the Pong. Coolness personified and galleriafied (?).

Gaffa does some very cool stuff. Check out their latest meeting room...

http://www.gaffa.com.au/#171286/The-Arcade-Project-Meeting-Room-ready-for-hireBookings-through

Hire Rates: $35 hour / $150 day

Check out the website for more deets: http://www.gaffa.com.au/#171286/The-Arcade-Project-Meeting-Room-ready-for-hireBookings-through

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Oceania Cup Broadcast on Fox 3

Henzell just posted this newsflash.

"Don't forget the Foxtel broadcasts from the Oceania Cup tomorrow morning: part 1 on Fox 3 at 8am tomorrow 4 and part 2 on Fox 3 at 8:30am on Friday August 5!"

Can't wait to see how he does. Wish I didn't know the result.

Chinatown August 13th - 14th: “THE ONE” Australasia Table Tennis Championship 2011

Got news about the Chinatown Table Tennis gig at Market City Shopping Centre (on top of Paddy’s Market, Chinatown). 9-13 Hay Street Haymarket
Sydney, NSW.

Here are the deets.
Tournament Date: 13 August at 10:00 - 14 August at 17:00

Entry Close: 9 August 2011
Entry Fee: $15

PRIZE MONEY
Open Singles 1st $ 1000.00
2nd $ 500.00
3rd $ 250.00
4th $ 150.00
5-8th $ 50.00

PLAYING FORMAT
Knock out
All matches are best of 7

Please post entry forms and fees to:

Wah Sing Table Tennis Academy
The Tournament Committee
c/- 20A Stratford Avenue
Denistone NSW 2114 Australia

Please make cheques payable to “Wah Sing Table Tennis Academy”.
Do not send cash.

Contact: Steven Lee Ph: 0414 675338


I'll be City2Surfing it on the Sunday so I can't play, but I'll try to rock up and take some footage.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Best Table Tennis Newsletters bounced directly to your inbox

Do you want the latest Table Tennis news?
There are lots of blogs and newsletters out there.

If you want just three newsletters that deliver on your TT addiction then check out these websites and sign up.

http://www.ittf.com/media/email_sign_up/
News from every corner of the Table Tennis World.

http://tabletennista.com/
Comprehensive translated Table Tennis news and more from Asia and beyond.

http://tabletennisnation.com/newsblog/
All that is cool in the world of Pong.

Enjoy :)

PS: Let me know if I missed any other top notch newsletters.

Monday, July 25, 2011

The Ping Pong Phoenix will rise

Sydney City Ping Pong Club

da da da

Returning Soon!!!!

da da da

The Text Version of a Preview from a Michael Bay film

da da da

Friday, July 22, 2011

Results for Oceania and Pacific Cup.

Well the results are in. Henzell, the favourite, won the men's and Karen Li from New Zealand defeated Jian Fang Lay in the women's.

In the Pacific Cup
Ornella Bouteille defeated Melveen Richmond in the women's and in the men's, Laurent Sens defeated Ocean Belrose.

Would have been good to watch some of the games as promised by the itTV website.
Must have been some technical difficulties. We will forgive them this once.

Below are the complete scores from the events.

ITTF Table Tennis Oceania Cup Results

MEN


Round 1
William Henzell (AUS) / bye
Laurent Sens (NCL) def Ocean Belrose (PYF) 4 - 0 (6, 10, 6, 6)
John Cordue (NZL) def Olivier Bilon (NCL) 4 - 0 (1, 8, 4, 8)
Nam Ho Oh (AUS) / bye
Phillip Xiao (NZL) / bye
Jeremy Lao (NCL) def Richel Sen (FIJ) 4 - 3 (10, 5, -3, -11, 9, -8, 4)
Kevin Wu (NZL) def Qi Wang (FIJ) 4 - 1 (8, 7, -6, 7, 13)
Robert Frank (AUS) / bye

Quarter final
William Henzell (AUS) def Laurent Sens (NCL) 4 - 0 (4, 6, 3, 7)
Nam Ho Oh (AUS) def John Cordue (NZL) 4 - 0 (1, 8, 4, 8)
Phillip Xiao (NZL) def Jeremy Lao (NCL) 4 - 0 (10, 5, 4, 9)
Robert Frank (AUS) def Kevin Wu (NZL) 4 - 1 (7, -9, 8, 7, 2)

Semi final
William Henzell (AUS) def Nam Ho Oh (AUS) 4 - 0 (7, 9, 8, 8)
Robert Frank (AUS) def Phillip Xiao (NZL) 4 - 0 (6, 6, 8, 7)

Final
William Henzell (AUS) def Robert Frank (AUS) 4 - 1 (7, 7, -9, 11, 6)

WOMEN

Round 1
Karen Li (NZL) / bye
Melveen Richmond (PYF) def Fabianna Faehau (NCL) 4 - 0 (5, 8, 9, 6)
Ornella Bouteille (NCL) /bye
Miao Miao (AUS) /bye
Zhenhua (Vivian) Tan (AUS) /bye
Jenny Hung (NZL) /bye
Sarah Her-Lee (NZL) def Anolyn Lulu (VAN) 4 - 1 (1, 5, 6, -5, 2)
Jian Fang Lay (AUS) /bye

Quarter final
Karen Li (NZL) def Melveen Richmond (PYF) 4 - 0 (7, 7, 1, 1)
Miao Miao (AUS) def Ornella Bouteille (NCL) 4 - 0 (1, 7, 6, 10)
Zhenhua (Vivian) Tan (AUS) def Jenny Hung (NZL) 4 - 0 (6, 4, 8, 13)
Jian Fang Lay (AUS) def Sarah Her-Lee (NZL) 4 - 1 (6, 4, -10, 4, 6)

Semi final
Karen Li (NZL) def Miao Miao (AUS) 4 - 2 (4, -8, -7, 8, 3, 10)
Jian Fang Lay (AUS) def Zhenhua (Vivian) Tan (AUS) 4 - 0 (6, 9, 7, 6)

Final
Karen Li (NZL) def Jian Fang Lay (AUS) 4 - 2 (5, 4, 7, -7, -9, 6)


ITTF Table Tennis Pacific Cup Results

MEN


Round 1
Laurent SENS (NCL) def Simote PEPA (TGA) 4 - 0 (4, 4, 5, 1)
Sanesh CHAND (FIJ) def Ham LULU (VAN) Disq
Choy FREDDY (KIR) def Samuela FUNGAVAI (TGA) 4 - 0 (5, 7, 2, 7)
Richel SEN (FIJ) def Julian BARNARD (COK) 4 - 0 (4, 8, 4, 7)
WANG Qi (FIJ) def Allie JOHNNY (KIR) 4 - 0 (6, 7, 7, 10)
Jeremy LAO (NCL) def Sione LAVE (TGA) 4 - 0 (6, 6, 3, 5)
Olivier BILON (NCL) def Taati BARAO (KIR) 4 - 0 (9, 6, 5, 6)
Ocean BELROSE (PYF) def Howard PONGA (COK) 4 - 0 (4, 2, 3, 8)

Quarter final
Laurent SENS (NCL) def Sanesh CHAND (FIJ) 4 - 0 (2, 1, 2, 1)
Richel SEN (FIJ) def Choy FREDDY (KIR) 4 - 0 (13, 8, 4, 7)
WANG Qi (FIJ) def Jeremy LAO (NCL) 4 - 1 (7, -11, 8, 7, 3)
Ocean BELROSE (PYF) def Olivier BILON (NCL) 4 - 1 (4, 7, 6, -8, 5)

Semi final
Laurent SENS (NCL) def Richel SEN (FIJ) 4 - 0 (10, 4, 5, 2)
Ocean BELROSE (PYF) def WANG Qi (FIJ) 4 - 2 (-9, -5, 9, 4, 5, 2)

Final
Laurent SENS (NCL) def Ocean BELROSE (PYF) 4 - 2 (-14, -9, 7, 7, 3, 8)

WOMEN

Round 1
Ornella BOUTEILLE (NCL) /bye
Carolyn Xuan LI (FIJ) def Luseana PEPA (TGA) 4 - 0 (7, 6, 8, 5)
Lea LAI VAN (NCL) def Kerryn HUNT (COK) 4 - 1 (3, 8, -10, 7, 13)
Anolyn LULU (VAN) /bye
Fabianna FAEHAU (NCL) /bye
Louisa MANICO (COK) def Salota FUNGAVAI (TGA) 4 - 0 (4, 9, 5, 4)
Leighann ANTONIO (FIJ) def Barbara PEPA (TGA) 4 - 3 (-5, -7, -8, 3, 7, 7, 6)
Melveen RICHMOND (PYF) /bye

Quarter final
Ornella BOUTEILLE (NCL) def Carolyn Xuan LI (FIJ)) 4 - 1 (-3, 2, 6, 2, 8)
Anolyn LULU (VAN) def Lea LAI VAN (NCL) 4 - 2 (8, -10, 8, 7, -11, 8)
Louisa MANICO (COK) def Fabianna FAEHAU (NCL) 4 - 3 (-6, 10, 8, -9, 9, -9, 5)
Melveen RICHMOND (PYF) def Leighann ANTONIO (FIJ) 4 - 0 (7, 5, 5, 2)

Semi final
Ornella BOUTEILLE (NCL) def Anolyn LULU (VAN) 4 - 0 (6, 3, 4, 11)
Melveen RICHMOND (PYF) def Melveen Richmond (PYF) 4 - 0 (7, 9, 6, 9)

Final
Ornella BOUTEILLE (NCL) def Melveen RICHMOND (PYF) 4 - 2 (7, -6, 8, 9, -5, 7)

itTV is it on?

I hope I haven't misled anyone.
Can't find the itTV channel for the OCEANIA CUP.

The Live Scoring is here though.
http://www.ittf.com/competitions/matches_live4.asp?competition_ID=2040

Maybe it will fire up in the next few hours at http://www.ittf.com/itTV/.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

ITTF Oceania Cup Results Rounds 1 and 2

MEN
Round 1

William Henzell (AUS) / bye

Laurent Sens (NCL) def Ocean Belrose (PYF)
4 - 0 (6, 10, 6, 6)

John Cordue (NZL) def Olivier Bilon (NCL)
4 - 0 (1, 8, 4, 8)

Nam Ho Oh (AUS) / bye

Phillip Xiao (NZL) / bye

Jeremy Lao (NCL) def Richel Sen (FIJ)
4 - 3 (10, 5, -3, -11, 9, -8, 4)

Kevin Wu (NZL) def Qi Wang (FIJ)
4 - 1 (8, 7, -6, 7, 13)

Robert Frank (AUS) / bye

Round 2
William Henzell (AUS) def Laurent Sens (NCL)
4 - 0 (4, 6, 3, 7)

Nam Ho Oh (AUS) def John Cordue (NZL)
4 - 0 (1, 8, 4, 8)

Phillip Xiao (NZL) def Jeremy Lao (NCL)
4 - 0 (10, 5, 4, 9)

Robert Frank (AUS) def Kevin Wu (NZL)
4 - 1 (7, -9, 8, 7, 2)

WOMEN
Round 1

Karen Li (NZL) / bye

Melveen Richmond (PYF) def Fabianna Faehau (NCL)
4 - 0 (5, 8, 9, 6)

Ornella Bouteille (NCL) /bye

Miao Miao (AUS) /bye

Zhenhua (Vivian) Tan (AUS) /bye

Jenny Hung (NZL) /bye

Sarah Her-Lee (NZL) def Anolyn Lulu (VAN)
4 - 1 (1, 5, 6, -5, 2)

Jian Fang Lay (AUS) /bye
Round 2
Karen Li (NZL) def Melveen Richmond (PYF)
4 - 0 (7, 7, 1, 1)

Miao Miao (AUS) def Ornella Bouteille (NCL)
4 - 0 (1, 7, 6, 10)

Zhenhua (Vivian) Tan (AUS) def Jenny Hung (NZL)
4 - 0 (6, 4, 8, 13)

Jian Fang Lay (AUS) def Sarah Her-Lee (NZL)
4 - 1 (6, 4, -10, 4, 6)

Pacific Cup and Oceania Cup

So, in case you didn't notice, the Pacific Cup and Oceania Cup are being played together in Adelaide.

Quarter Finals are being played now for the Oceania Cup and I will inform you of the results as they come in.

For today, the quarter finals of the Pacific Cup means that in the women's semi-finals tomorrow we have: Ornella Bouteille from New Caledonia versus Melveen Richmond from Tahiti.

and in the men's semi-finals tomorrow we have: Laurent Sens from New Caledonia versus Ocean Belrose from Tahiti.

Remember to tune into itTV tomorrow for all the semi and final action. Will we get to see and hear Paulini perfom too? I hope so.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Oceania Cup: Results so far

Thanks to the ITTF we know the results from the women's events today:

Karen Li (NZ) def Lea Lai Van (New Caledonia)
(11-4, 11-1, 11-3, 11-6)

Jian Fang Lay (Aus) def Louisa Manico (Cook Islands)
(11-1, 11-2, 11-1, 11-4)

Miao Miao (Aus) def Carolyn Li (Fiji)
(11-3, 11-6, 11-6, 11-2)

Vivien Tan (Aus) def Kerryn Hunt(Cook Islands)
(11-5, 12-10, 11-1, 11-1)

Jenny Hung (NZ) def Leighann Antonio (Fiji)
(11-1, 11-5, 11-1, 11-4)

If you know where we can find out the men's results then let us know.
And the ITTF will be showing the Semis and Finals on their itTV channel this Friday. Stay tuned!!!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Oceania Cup: 20 - 22 July, Adelaide, Australia. Watch on itTV



The following country/territories/islands from Oceania will be converging in Adelaide over the next few days to battle it out for Table Tennis supremacy of the region:
Australia
Cook Islands
Fiji
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Tahiti
Vanuatu


(I think some Australians are relieved that Samoa didn't make the list after what happened in the Rugby *grimace*.)

Some of the games can be viewed at the ITTF tv website: http://www.ittf.com/itTV/, with Fox providing highlights in August.

If you know media in any of these countries then hound them for results and coverage of the games.

More information can be found at the Oceania Cup website.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

New Balls please...




Our new balls arrived from tabletennisworld.com.au today. Sweet! Thanks Pinky.

If you want your name on your balls, then check out Table Tennis World and send them an email. Tell them Sydney City Pong sent you.

Table Tennis World is based in Sydney and stocks every brand. They will be sponsoring this year's Oceania cup. Check out more here: Table Tennis World Sponsors Oceania Cup.

I'm looking forward to playing with my new balls.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Tipping point for Pong?


So, I'm going to make a prediction here. Sometime between now and the Olympic games in 2012, Table Tennis is going to take off popularity-wise.

I know there have been rumblings since Spin spun into action a few years ago in New York and even before that with Naked Ping Pong, but there is going to be some major Pong action exploding onto the scene.

Some other people will have seen it rising, some will feel like Table Tennis has come out of nowhere. But one thing I think will happen is that there will be a tipping point and it will happen between now and this time next year.

Now, I'm writing this from an Australian perspective, where the sport is immensely popular but almost entirely invisible in the media. Things are changing here, people are noticing the sport and the Oceania Cup will hopefully take things up a notch.

Let's see if the media and the Table Tennis administrative bodies can get their act together and inform the Aussie population of what takes place at the Oceania cup. This will get people primed and ready to watch and understand Table Tennis next year at the 2012 London Olympics 29 Aug-9 Sept 2012. Yes, you read correct. These are the proper games. You will also be able to see the support act from 27 July-12 Aug 2012.

So, if my prediction doesn't come true then I'll have a grumble to myself, and if it does, then we'll all be better off.


(Image at the top: Table Tennis Nation Paddle with gaffa Gallery Sydney Jewelry display. gaffa are great supporters of Ping Pong)

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Okay, Okay, Blues lost origin... but bring on the state of Ping Pong

Check out the last few paragraphs of this article in SMH
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/small-pack-left-blues-in-big-trouble-20110707-1h4w8.html

Ricky Stuart has been getting some top coaching and is now a deft hand at Ping Pong.
I would pay to watch some of the NRL players fight it out on the Pong table.
A legends of league Table Tennis comp, anyone?

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Pinkewich on Primetime Ping Pong


If you are an Aussie and you don't know who Paul Pinkewich is then go to http://www.primetimepingpong.com/. Listen to his interview with Jackson Meyn. Some have called Pinkewich the cowboy of Ping Pong. Find out why they say this and hear a living legend share his thoughts.

Friday, July 1, 2011

A couple of things...


So Guinness are shuffling the paper work and we hope they will soon award Nick with the Guinness World Record for bouncing a ball on his bat for a loooong time. See the article from the Inner West Courier here. Sydney City Ping Pong Club gets a mention. Sweet.

We finally got the Table Tennis Nation bats to Nick. They are truly a work of art. Check out Table Tennis Nation: one of the coolest Pong companies in the world, started by Table Tennis legend Marty Reisman. If you don't know who Marty Reisman is, then I would suggest you google him. He is very googlable.

Till soon

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Table Tennis Summer Training Camp for foreign players in China’s National training Center

(Just received this invitation and thought I would pass it on, can't make it but it looks good.)

Welcome to Chinese National Table Tennis Training Center (CNTTTC),it is a Chinese famous national table tennis developing center which is located in Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, China. It is renowned as the Cradle of World Table Tennis Champion.
We along with millions of other associations, clubs, training centers, coaches, players across the globe to promote table tennis game to its fullest, The mission of the Chinese National Table Tennis Training Center is to provide a conducive environment that nurtures, coaches and develops aspiring table tennis players of all ages to achieve their goals by realizing their potentials in the sport of Ping Pong.
We are organizing 2011 Table Tennis Summer Training Camp for players from other foreign countries. The camp has been going on hotly in CNTTTC; it has begun on June 20th and will end on August 20th 2011. All table tennis lovers, players, clubs, individuals, groups or teams, associations, federations, leagues, no matter you are young or old, male or female, recreational or professional etc. all of you are most welcome to participate in our training camp. For more details of the training camp, please feel free to contact our Program Promotion Department Frank at hebocst2@gmail.com , I am looking forward to your early reply.
Best wishes
CNTTTC

Monday, June 27, 2011

Sydney Chinatown tournament coming in August

Yay, just heard that MarketCity in Haymarket(Sydney Chinatown) will be hosting a Table Tennis tournament in August. Sharpen your balls... (I don't know if that expression really works).

More info to come. Stay tuned.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Pongtroversy at the Aussie Open 2011

Head to
Primetime Ping Pong
for news on the Aussie Open and a wrap up of the latest controversy hitting the scene of Australian Table Tennis. Greg Letts is the interviewee and his updates for the Aussie TT Open 2011 can be found at his website:
http://tabletennis.about.com/

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Found them: Videos from Australian Open 2011 on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/user/eastsidetabletennis

Videos can be found at the link above.

Australian Open: Webpage

Want to go back to the future and also try your hand at some cryptic deciphering? Check out the Australian Open webpage http://www.tabten.org/AustOpen/Menu.htm. I really appreciate that this info is up on the web, but please get some help in the web department and in the promo department. The world needs more Pong!!!

Looking forward to hearing the results and seeing some photos and videos.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Australian Open 11th - 17th June

Who's going to be down in Hobart for the Australian Open and Australian Youth Championships?
They bounce off on Saturday 11th June and go until Friday 17 June.

Any chance we can get some decent media coverage?
People love to play
People love to watch
Pong On!!!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Don't forget about PingSkills

With the raft of recent improve-your-pong websites popping up, we have to remind everyone about www.pingskills.com .
Set up by Olympic TT Coach Alois Rosario and TT Olympian Jeff Plumb. Many people have honed their skills through their online videos and DVDs and forums.
Check it out today.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Join up at ttedge.com and get the Table Tennis edge

Check out William Henzell and Robert Franks's new website ttedge.com.
They provide online coaching for a variety of levels. The basic entry membership is free so sign up and give it a go.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Nick Anderson has done it!!

Nick has broken the world record for bouncing a table tennis ball on a bat.
He has beaten the previous record of 4 hours and 39 minutes by 2 whole minutes. Well done.

Nick Anderson has done it!!

Nick broke the record for bouncing a table tennis ball on a bat.
Well done.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Ping Pong Guinness Record Attempt: Sunday 15th May

Sunday 15th May will be an exciting day when Nick Anderson of Sydney attempts to break the record for bouncing a Ping Pong ball on a paddle for an extremely long time.
Surrounded by some close friends and two or three witnesses he will attempt the record in the King's Room of the historic Forbes Hotel in the heart of Sydney City, Australia.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

POPP: Public Outdoor Ping Pong

If you noticed an awesome outdoor table at Ward Park in Surry Hills then you have witnessed the first Public Outdoor Ping Pong table in Sydney.

Check out the POPP website here. They have put tables in WA, NSW and VIC. To find a specific table go here.

Check out the article about them in the latest Frankie magazine.

POPP, SydneyCityPong salutes you!!! What you are doing is a service to society, a charitable contribution to community and a powerful present to Ping Pong.

Hanging out to see more tables POPPing up all over the place.

Friday, May 6, 2011

World Championships live on the Internet

Watch all the action from the 2011 Table Tennis World Championships 8-15th May at http://ittf.com/ittv/. Click on Channel 1 World events and choose which table you want to watch.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Tracksuits and Sweatbands: Sydney City Ping Pong Club

To celebrate Fashion Week in Sydney and the beginning of the World Championships of Table Tennis in Rotterdam, Sydney City Ping Pong Club presents "Tracksuits and Sweatbands: Thursday Social".
6pm Thursday 4th May

Friday, April 22, 2011

Inter-Agency Ping Pong Smash

Is your ad agency the best at Pong? Enter by April 30th. More details here.
Check out the promo vid featuring one of Australia's living legends, Paul Pinkewich and rising Pongstar, Trent Carter.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Sydney's got a new Ping Pong venue... hurrah

We at Sydney City Ping Pong Club, that being Michael and Mikey, always love to see new Pong venues in Sydney.

Check out the opening tonight of "Paddle Emporium" 8th April.
See their facebook page for more info: http://www.facebook.com/PaddleEmporium

Awww... shucks

Check out what Sophie from "Shine little light" blog said about our Ping Pong club.
Oh you!

:)

Link is here.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Spin New York: Almost as good as going there myself

Yay, my good friend Camilla just sent me a package full of SPiN NY goodness.
Thanks honey.

It's almost like I've been there myself.
Now, they just have to return my messages about starting a franchise in Sydney.

NSW Open 2011

I got to visit the NSW Table Tennis Open last Sunday.
Wow, it was an eye opener. There were so many people there who were into Table Tennis. The skill of the players was really something.
Table Tennis NSW has all the information for further tournaments to watch and play in.
Visit them at ttnsw.org.au.

Here is a short clip of the atmosphere on the day.

Tuesday night at Sydney City Ping Pong Club

Wow, tonight was a great night at Sydney City Ping Pong Club.
Not too big, but very special.
Once again, Ping Pong brought people together.

I feel like writing a Haiku.

Playing Ping Pong. Who is that?
Connect a bit more.
Ball stops but we keep going.

That about sums it up.

See you Thursday night!!

Mikey

Monday, April 4, 2011

Ping Pong Underground and Doctor Pong on SBS last night

http://player.sbs.com.au/naca/#/naca/wna/Latest/playlist/Underground-movement/

Check this link out from SBS last night.
We love it, Ping Pong is rising.
But why did they forget to include us?
Ah well...
All good...
Sydney City Ping Pong will carry on!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Wiff Waff anyone?

Gotta book a flight to England to visit these guys...
Not too Pongy, Not too Wiffy.
http://wiffwaffbrothers.blogspot.com/

Table Tennis Competitions in Sydney Coming up!!!

Sydney City Ping Pong Club has some competitions in the works as well as our regular Tuesday night social comp.

If you are looking for some other competition just to keep your skills up, also check out http://www.facebook.com/sydneycitypingpongclub#!/group.php?gid=32413916481. The University of Sydney Table Tennis Club is planning some great events.

Table Tennis Nation

One of the best Table Tennis websites is Table Tennis Nation.
I could spend all my time reposting their material.
But better still, just go there first then pop back here.

http://tabletennisnation.com/newsblog/

The dudes at Table Tennis Nation have the right mix of Cool and Competitive. Check it out!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

iPong 2?


Thanks to the guys in the queue who posed for me.
I think the guy with the bat is Myles.

I wonder if you can play Ping Pong with an iPad 2 ?
Maybe that is a good use for the superseded iPad 1 .

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Paulini entertaining at Volkswagen Cup 2011

One more thing about the Volkswagen Cup this year is that Australian Idol star 'Paulini" will be performing.

I'm a sucker for this cheesy sort of stuff, I love it.
Check it out here: http://www.ittf.com/_front_page/ittf_full_story1.asp?ID=23599&Competition_ID=2020&

Volkswagen Cup 2011 starts today

Last night at Sydney City Ping Pong Club we had a great small competition. Looking forward to many more in the future.

One thing that we all chatted about last night was the fact that Table Tennis was played in nearly every country in the world. I say nearly, even though I think it might possibly be "all" but I can't verify that. If you know of a country that doesn't play Table Tennis then tell me.

Some people want to find more about the International Table Tennis scene but find all the names and countries overwhelming. Well, the Volkswagen Cup is a great introduction to the world of Table Tennis. There is a limit to how many players each country can enter, so this means that there is great representation from all over the world.
Go here: http://www.ittf.com/competitions/competitions2.asp?Competition_ID=2020&category=VWcup for more information about the Volkswagen Cup, which starts today in China.

I've read conflicting reports about whether it will be streamed on the ITTF channel but there is bound to be video footage out there somewhere. I'll let you know when I find it.

Pong On!

Monday, March 21, 2011

2 more additions to the Video section

1. A chance to show off the genius of Stephen Chow.
People really need to see his earlier stuff. I liked 'Kung Fu Hustle' and 'CJ7' but they are nothing compared to his early work. Here is just a taste, and it's got Ping Pong in it, kind of...
(Disclaimer: Some people think Stephen Chow (周星馳) is too silly, and they wish I had never introduced them to his movies... oh well.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LFlmzn1jEU&NR=1



2. I kind of don't get this one, but hey, I like Bollywood and I like Table Tennis. Just need to know though, does anybody find it offensive?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myitpwC0wtM

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Dinner with Butterfly Rep

Just got back with the friendly David Smythe from Butterfly.
He had a big drive up from Melbourne but graciously gave me some of his time to chat about the state of Table Tennis. What I heard from him is that Victoria is the State of Table Tennis (They have great venues).

Ok, puns aside.

As I poured out to him about wanting Table Tennis/Ping Pong to be more respected and supported in Australia, he warned me that overall he had a negative view on the whole situation. Still, he is hoping that he can be proved wrong. I hope so too.

One thing he told me about was how much a fan of the game Bill Gates is.
I googled Bill in connection to Table Tennis and found him playing alongside another reasonably wealthy man. Check them out here.

But it got me thinking, all we need is someone like Bill Gates to inject a tiny bit of money into the game, and with all the wisdom and skill and know-how that Australia has, the sport could really take off.

Now, I know there are much greater needs in the world than Table Tennis. I'm not even going to joke about that, but I have seen the power of Table Tennis to break down cultural and social barriers. And let's not forget the much touted Ping Pong Diplomacy between China and the US. Read more about that here.

So Sydney City Pong for a little while at least will keep pushing the Pongvelope and see if we can get a bit of a movement happening. And if you consider yourself a patron of Sport then please contact us via email: wantoplay AT sydneycitypong.com (please substitute the AT for @ and leave out the spaces). Celebrities are more than welcome; use your power for Pong.

And on that note, check out some of the great famousy people of all time playing Ping Pong/Table Tennis here.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Friday 18th March, Sydney City Ping Pong Update

Hi Ping Pongers,
Mikey here.

I have to confess that this blog so far has been rather impersonal.
Let's change that shall we?

Let's get Ping Pong and Personal.

First, thanks to everyone who Ponged and Partied at Sydney City Ping Pong Club last night for St Patrick's day.
The Forbes hotel was booming because of St Patrick's day and Ping Pong on the third floor was the coolest place to be. We had people enter the club just to escape the heat of the downstairs levels. The newcomers soon became enamoured with the Pong and mixed in with the rowdy Ping Pong crowd.
We'll be putting up some photos soon on the facebook page at www.facebook.com/sydneycitypingpongclub. Check them out, play some tag, and tell your friends about it.

Secondly, Sydney City Ping Pong Club is changing and growing. We are seeing it bloom and prosper into something beautiful. It looks like Tuesday arvo/evening will be for people who really want to play with minimal distractions and Thursday night is slightly more relaxed with Ping Pong and Beers. Hopefully we'll be expand to lunchtimes soon if we get enough demand from the office workers.

Thirdly, here at Sydney City Pong we are dedicated to promoting the game all over the place. Send us details of your local club and we will let everyone know about it.

Well, that's all for now.
And I will leave you with a link to check out.
http://www.vimeo.com/3100341 is a great video that highlights the grace and simplicity of Ping Pong.

Enjoy and remember:
Keep Calm and Pong On!!!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Interesting article about Sandpaper bats and their 'superiority'(?)

Click here for more info on Sandpaper bat play. "Liha".

Ping-Pong as Mind Game (Although a Good Topspin Helps): New York Times 2008

"I DUCKED into the New York International Table Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, puzzling over the peculiar sound echoing in my ears. With preposterously high odds against me, I was going to play a challenge game of what is commonly known as Ping-Pong. But the echoing I heard did not match that supposedly onomatopoeic name. Instead, it sounded more like a dozen clocks synchronized to the staccato beat of tock-tock-tock-tock..."

The rest of this article from the NY Times from 2008
can be found here.

Slow motion table tennis

I love Slo-Mo Ping Pong.
Please, can we have more?


Check out some slow motion Ping Pong from the 2008 Olympics at the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_Rtenkmt6M

Don't worry, you might think the clip will be dodgy after the first 19 seconds but it doesn't keep heading in that direction. Or maybe you want it to. Hmmm....

Very sneaky point

Check out this shot by Paul Pinkewich, posted from about a year ago. Very very sneaky. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiojI6lBlZc

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Do you have Ping Pong in your workplace?

Check out how the staff at CampaignMonitor do Ping Pong.
Link: http://www.campaignmonitor.com/blog/post/3179/we-take-ping-pong-seriously-around-these-parts/

Inspiring stuff.

Do you have a Ping Pong workplace story you need to tell the world about?

Would you wear your Paddle like a glove?

Check out this link from last year.
http://www.thedesignblog.org/entry/wear-your-ping-pong-paddle-like-a-glove-for-better-ball-control/

Is anyone actually using this type of bat?

INTERNATIONAL Table Tennis WEBSITES

We are collating a list of International Table Tennis federation/association websites.
Check it out on the right hand side of the page.

We would love to get one for every country.
Please provide us with any that you know of in the comments below.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Support Ping Pong/Table Tennis in Sydney

This is going from the sublime to the ridiculous in light of the last post but we would love you to throw your support behind Ping Pong in Sydney and head to the facebook page and like "Sydney City Ping Pong Club. Click here to do that.

Thoughts and prayers with everyone in Japan

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Japan and with all the Japanese who are far from home and are worried about their loved ones.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Table Tennis History and Facts at Buzzle.com

Another website talking aboutTable Tennis History and Facts.

VW Cup: China March 23-24

The Volkswagen Cup in China is coming soon.

Only one player per country allowed makes this a great competition.
You can catch the VW Cup streamed across the world at www.ittf.com/ittv.

For a few more deets check out this link.

Monday, March 7, 2011

International Women's Day

To celebrate Women in TT check out http://www.womenintt.com

Buy a calendar while you are there.
Without making light of the many difficulties faced by women in the world, the calendar can raise the profile of women and table tennis, both of which are often not given proper recognition and worth.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

A few more video links...

Keep sending in any form of Ping Pong/ Table Tennis media you happen to find...

And we will post it here.

Monday, February 28, 2011

How to play Table Tennis: Full article from Google Books

The latest up to date information for how to excel at Table Tennis:
Link is here.

Want to know all about Table Tennis?

Then visit Allabouttabletennis.com.




Need I say more?

Ping Pong and Table Tennis

So it looks like there is a difference between Ping Pong and Table Tennis.
According to Greg Letts on his awesome blog, Ping Pong is played with cheap rackets/paddles and Table Tennis is played with high tech fancy schmancy ones (my interpretation of what he said).

Table Tennis points are usually over within roughly 3 shots. There is a lot of spin and intensity.
Ping Pong is a lot more fun to watch as the points go for longer as was evidenced by the recent World Championship of Ping Pong in Vegas.

If it is true that Ping Pong and Table Tennis have evolved into different sports then surely they can help each other out. One aim of Sydney City Pong is to get people playing more Ping Pong and being educated about what Table Tennis is and especially how difficult it really is to play. We hope that come 2012 Olympics there will be a large number of Aussies wanting to watch the elite Table Tennis players battle it out.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Highlights from WCPP Vegas

I so wish I could have seen more of this tournament.
The world championship of Ping Pong.

Check out the excerpts here.

The winner is treated like a rockstar. That's what I like to see in the world of Pong.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Video/Media Links of Ping Pong/ Table Tennis

Link to Ping Pong/ Table Tennis Video Clips and Media

Check out this page on the blog. A lot of material to watch and a few games to play.
If we have missed/forgotten anything... let us know.

Cheers and Pong On!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Information for Sydney City Pong

Sydney City Pong is on every TUESDAY and THURSDAY: 3:30 till late.
FORBES HOTEL: Corner of King and York Street in the Sydney CBD.

For a small entry fee you can come and play or watch.
Balls and bats are included.

Remember: Keep Calm and Pong On!

Sydney City Pong: It has begun

It has begun.

"Pong, Sweat and Beers."
Sounds good doesn't it. Well, on the 22nd Feb it started.
A few people trickled in from 3 but at around 7:30 that's when the party started.

Opening month prices are still on while we work out the lighting and membership.

Stay tuned for more info about prices and tournaments.

Mikey and Mike
__________________
Sydney City Pong
sydneycitypong@gmail.com

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Regular ping pong nights at Bondi Bowls Club: CAN YOU HELP?

This is very exciting. Bondi Bowls Club is looking to start regular ping pong nights.
They want people to submit applications. It looks like an awesome opporunity.
Sydney City Pong is keen to see Pong spread througout Sydney so we are very supportive of this venture and will help Bondi Bowls Club in any way we can.
Check out the ad below and see if you can help out.



Bondi Bowls Club is seeking someone to organise regular ping pong nights, like ‘Naked Ping Pong’ in NYC.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/nyregion/thecity/19ping.html

Organiser will earn fees from attendance. You do not have to be a professional event coordinator or ping-pong expert, however you have to show you can market and run an ...event.

See www.bondibowls.com.au/ping_pong_22.html

Sydney City Pong: Probabaly more like "Naked Pong" than "SPiN NYC"

Here's a link someone sent me to Naked Ping Pong. It does not involve a lack of clothing but is more an opportunity for all types of players to play Ping Pong together. This is the vibe that Sydney City Pong is going for and unfortunately we can't provide the facilities of SPiN NYC

Sydney City Pong opens this Tuesday 22nd at the Forbes Hotel, Corner of King and York Street in the Sydney CBD.

It is a short walk from Wynard Station, Town Hall Station and King St Ferry Wharf.
There are also ample buses just around the corner on King St.

See you there!

Remember: Keep Calm and Pong On!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Purpose of this blog

This Blog brings you all that is happening with PingPong/TableTennis internationally but especially in Sydney. Also, the CBD of Sydney, Australia needs a Ping Pong/Table Tennis venue.

This site is dedicated to that vision.

If you can help in anyway with space, money, expertise, enthusiasm or Reese Peanut Butter cups, then let us know.

This is a club for the community.
It aims to be a cultural/community hub.

Get your Pong on!!!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Reactions to Table Tennis #1

Have you ever mentioned Table Tennis or Ping Pong to someone and got a strange reaction?
Perhaps the person has giggled or stared at you with a poker face.

Believe it or not, but there are some people out there who do not rate Table Tennis as an important sport. They also think it is something that does not require much physical exercise or mental capability. For those who play regularly, we know Table Tennis is a game that requires effort and concentration.

What are some of your favourite, scariest or strangest reactions to Table Tennis? Have you ever been embarrassed to tell people you love it?

Interesting trivia about PingPong/Table Tennis

From a posting (2007) on OOAK Table Tennis Forum.
Found here.

I particularly like the one about Charlie Chaplin. Random.

When I go to Melbourne next...

This is where you'll find me.
Ping Pong at Sports Club, 377 Lonsdale St

Monday, February 14, 2011

Table Tennis at its best at Qatar Open 2011: Video

Watch Xu Xin vs World Number 1 Timo Boll from Germany at Qatar Open 2011

Link is here from affiliated blog Table Tennis Review.

This is a crazy game. Table Tennis at its best.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Ping Pong Underground

www.ppu.co

Can someone help these guys out with some money to finish their doco?
I want to see it already :)

International Ping Pong Classic.

The International Ping Pong Classic was played on Feb 7 - 8 at the Palms Resort in Vegas. It was a great tournament with a total prize money pool of $100 000USD. Foxtel is planning to show some of it soon.

Australia's own William Henzell got to the quarters. Congratulations! It must have been tricky playing with the sandpaper bat. Check out Henzell's blog at aussietabletennis.com for more info.

And to find out more about Ping Pong and the Classic head to TableTennisDaily.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Another cool Australian Ping Pong blog

Prime Time Ping Pong

Yes, I did say 'another'. :)

Table Tennis NSW Corporate Games: March 17-20 2011

http://www.corporategames.net.au/nsw/

Are you representing your company in Table Tennis at the 2011 NSW Corporate Games?

Need some coaching for your company team? Need coaching in the city?

Email sydneycitypong@gmail.com for more details.

Hardbat Table Tennis

Check out this link to relive Table Tennis old school style.

People wanting to play Ping Pong in Manly

Thought I would give this link on Gumtree some exposure.

http://sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-Community-activities-hobbies-Table-Tennis-Ping-Pong-MANLY-W0QQAdIdZ258609824

Want to help out the game anyway possible.

Balls of Fury: 7:30 on GO!

A very silly movie. But good for a laugh.

Reviews here on IMDB.

Personally I could watch Christopher Walken play Ping Pong all day.
"Or as the Chinese say 'Ping Pang'."

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Preferred Supplier: Table Tennis World

Table Tennis World Logo
We couldn't have got Sydney City Pong up and running without
Table Tennis World.

Paul Pinkewich, Australian Pong legend, we salute you!!!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Ping Pong Underground. These guys rock.

This is what I've been talking about people :)
Although I do take offence when Olding describes it as an 'unlikely' revival. It's the 2nd most popular sport in the world.

Check out the article here.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Want a proper Ping Pong bat?

Although you have to wade through a lot of advertising on this site, this guide is useful in thinking about putting together a custom bat, which all the cool kids have.

Article is here

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Monday, January 24, 2011

Thoughts

Hmmm... starting this Ping Pong club in Sydney City is harder than I thought.
Everyone thinks its an awesome idea but no one wants to share responsibility for it.

I'm going to plug away for a few more days but then might just give up.

Good to see that Ping Pong is still getting some major attention in the science world thought, http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/114387219.html?elr=KArksc8P:Pc:U0ckkD:aEyKUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUHDYaGEP7eyckcUs

Saturday, January 8, 2011

New way to raise capital

Ok ok, so everyone was falling over themselves to help out the cause of Ping Pong. Yeah, not really.

Maybe we were being too optimistic.

Being a patron of Pong is still an option, but I think we need to show our business plan to investors. There is serious potential in this thing.

Benevolent benefactors of bounce are still welcome though.
sydneycitypong@gmail.com

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Yay, another Patron

Ok, Ok. So Charles is a close friend of mine. But hey, we have to start somewhere.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Cultural Diversity

One of the aims of Sydney City Pong is to provide a community/cultural hub.

Therefore our next step is to roll out the website in at least 5 other languages.
Can you guess what they might be?

I started writing my list, and I'm already up to 7. Ayaaa... this will take some time.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Patrons of Pong: 400 people to each give $100

Now I don't know if this is going to work, but we are going to give it a try.
There are a number of ways to raise money for a business venture but there are few reasons why we will try this way.
  • minimize the risk
  • show just how many people are behind a decent Pong/TT venue in Sydney City
  • create some publicity for the venue
So email sydneycitypong@gmail.com if you want to be part of this, or visit www.sydneycitypong.com/donate.html.

Pong On!!!