Auckland Table Tennis Association

🏓 What If You're Not Bad at Table Tennis... You're Just Not Good at It YET?

That one word changes everything.

Yet.

"I can't return that serve... yet."

"My backhand isn't consistent... yet."

"I'm not fit enough... yet."

That's a growth mindset.

You don't believe where you are today is where you have to stay.

You practise.

You learn.

You improve.

And table tennis teaches us this every time we play.

But the same thinking applies to your health.

It's easy to say:

"I'll start exercising later."

But while you're waiting, your body isn't.

Fitness can decline.

Muscles can weaken.

Getting active can become harder.

The table tennis community understands something important:

You don't need to be fit to start.

You start...

And become fitter.

You don't need to be good to play.

You play...

And become better.

One rally.

One session.

One improvement at a time ❤️🏓

Don't wait to become the person you want to be. Start becoming them today.

💬 What can YOU do in table tennis today that you couldn't do when you started?

❤️ Share this with someone who needs to remember one powerful word:

YET.

Interclub shout-out! 👏

A massive well done to our Auckland Squad players who have represented their teams week after week throughout this winter’s Interclub season.

Every round provides valuable match experience under pressure, strengthens our teams and demonstrates the commitment we look for from our squad players.

A special congratulations to our 100% attendance stars, who have not missed a single round:

🌟 Kevin Kuo
🌟 Marcus Albert
🌟 Aiden Zhao

Huge credit also goes to Matome Mongalo, Jayden Lu, Lemuel Ling, Robin Luo and Amu Sato, who have each achieved at least 94% attendance across 16 rounds!

This level of consistency and commitment is what makes a squad strong.

Keep up the fantastic work, and we’ll see you at the table! 💪🏓

Results from the Junior Club Qualification Tournament 3 🏓

Congratulations to our top two in each category, who move up to the Junior Club Small Group starting today, Thursday 20th August:

U13 Boys
1st: Forry Dai
2nd: Daniel Xiao

U15 Boys
1st: Mason Li
2nd: Zeyu Du

Well done to everyone who competed, and thanks to coach Teng Teng Liu.

We’re proud to share this generous letter of support from Refugees as Survivors New Zealand Youth (RASNZ Youth) for ATTA’s Tables in Communities programme. 🏓

Since receiving table tennis equipment in 2023, table tennis has become an established part of RASNZ Youth’s activities.

The Table Tennis equipment helps young people connect, participate and feel welcome while building confidence, cooperation, resilience and respect for others.

“It offers young people from refugee backgrounds an easy and enjoyable way to connect with others, take part and feel welcome.” - RASNZ Youth

Thank you to RASNZ Youth for recognising the value of accessible community sport and for supporting the continued growth of Tables in Communities.

With further investment, we hope to reach more communities and create even more meaningful opportunities for young people across Auckland.

INTERSCHOOLS IS BACK: AND A1 ENDS THIS FRIDAY! 🏓

After a week off for the Auckland Open, Term 3 Interschools returns for Week 4 on Friday 21 August.

📍 Auckland Table Tennis Stadium, Gillies Avenue
⏰ 3.45pm and 6.00pm

📍 Saint Kentigern College
⏰ 3.45pm

🏆 A1 GRADE: THE FINAL NIGHT
From 6.00pm at Gillies Avenue, the A1 Grade knockout reaches its conclusion across Tables 1–4. Every placing from first to eighth will be decided in one action-packed session.

🔥 THE FINAL
Auckland Grammar 1 v Saint Kentigern 1

Both teams are unbeaten.

Auckland Grammar have not dropped a single rubber all competition, defeating Botany Downs 7–0 before another 7–0 victory over ACG Parnell.

Saint Kentigern overcame Auckland Grammar 25 before powering past Rangitoto 6–1.

Something has to give on Friday.

🥉 3rd/4th: Rangitoto 1 v ACG Parnell 1
🏓 5th/6th: Macleans 1 v Ormiston 1
🏓 7th/8th: Auckland Grammar 25 v Botany Downs 1

Spectators are welcome at both venues, with free entry.

If you are coming for the A1 final, be at Gillies Avenue by 6.00pm. You will not want to arrive late!

🏓 Feel the Fear. And Play Anyway.

Your heart beats faster.

Your palms sweat.

Your muscles tense.

And your brain says:

"Maybe I shouldn't do this."

That's your body's fear response.

When your brain senses a threat or challenge, your nervous system responds.

Adrenaline rises.

Your heart rate increases.

Your breathing quickens.

Your body prepares for action.

It's the fight-or-flight response.

But your brain can react this way to something that isn't actually dangerous.

Your first club night.

Your first tournament.

Playing someone much better than you.

Trying something new.

So don't wait for the fear to disappear.

Feel the fear. And do it anyway.

Walk into the stadium.

Pick up the bat.

Join the session.

Enter the tournament.

Because waiting has a cost.

You miss the movement.

The exercise.

The friendships.

The confidence that comes from doing something you were afraid to do.

That's something table tennis players learn:

Courage isn't having no fear.

Courage is refusing to let fear prevent you from taking action ❤️🏓

And once that first rally begins?

You move.

You react.

You play.

And you wonder why you were so worried in the first place.

💬 What were YOU nervous about when you started table tennis?

❤️ Share this with someone who needs a push to take that first step.

Feel the fear. Do it anyway 🏓🔥

AUCKLAND TABLE TENNIS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 🏆

Auckland’s top college table tennis teams are coming together to compete for the regional titles across grades A1 to D!

📅 Thursday 20 August
📍 Auckland Table Tennis Stadium
⏰ Sign-in: 8.30 am
🏓 Competition begins: 9.00 am
🏁 Approximate finish: 3.00 pm

Expect an exciting day of skill, teamwork and competitive table tennis as the best qualifying teams from across Auckland battle for championship honours.

Come along and support our talented young players! 👏

🏓 The Cost of Waiting Is Bigger Than You Think.

"I'll start exercising next week."

"When work settles down."

"When life isn't so busy."

But here's the problem...

While you're waiting to start, your body isn't waiting.

We think waiting means staying where we are.

Physiologically, it doesn't.

With prolonged inactivity:

❤️ Cardiovascular fitness declines.

💪 Muscles lose strength and endurance.

⚡ Balance, coordination and mobility deteriorate.

🧠 Your brain misses out on the cognitive benefits associated with regular physical activity.

📈 Long-term risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and other health problems increase.

And as we get older, maintaining our physical and cognitive abilities becomes even more important.

That's something the table tennis community has figured out.

We found an activity that combines:

🏓 Movement
⚡ Reactions and coordination
🧠 Rapid thinking and decision-making
❤️ Cardiovascular activity
🤝 Social connection

And most importantly...

We enjoy it enough to keep coming back.

That's the smart part.

The best exercise isn't necessarily the hardest workout.

It's the activity you'll keep doing.

Your future health isn't built "one day."

It's being influenced by what you repeatedly do today.

So keep playing.

Keep moving.

Keep showing up ❤️🏓

And if you've been waiting to start...

Don't wait until you wish you'd started earlier.

💬 Comment on how table tennis has helped YOU stay active.

❤️ Share this post with someone who keeps saying they'll start exercising "one day."

Maybe that day is today.