Table Tennis Nelson marked International Women’s Day with a female-focused Have-A-Go event on Saturday, part of a nationwide Table Tennis New Zealand initiative aimed at encouraging more women and girls into the sport.
More than 40 participants, aged from six to 66, took to Saxton Stadium for an afternoon of warmups, hand–eye drills, and friendly games against a range of opponents.
Female participation in Nelson is higher than in most other regions, particularly among senior women who attend regular mid-week social sessions.
Table Tennis Nelson president Anna King has been playing since her early teens and says the sport is fantastic for females of all ages.
"It’s something I know I will continue enjoying well into my veteran years," Anna says. "We are now especially keen to attract more younger females to table tennis and introduce them to what is a fun, social, and supportive playing environment."
Anna says Nelson offers a wide range of opportunities for all ages and abilities, including after-school sessions for youth and seven open-entry sessions for females.
"Table tennis offers not only physical gains, but also enormous well-being through social connection, along with fantastic brain benefits. If you want to develop some of the quickest reflexes around, table tennis is the sport to play."
