TOWNSVILLE SERVES UP NATIONAL TITLES
TOWNSVILLE junior table tennis player Taleisha Gaeta, 9, will be one of seven players to represent North Queensland at the Australian junior table tennis championships in Townsville this weekend.
TOWNSVILLE’S rising table tennis talents are pulling out all the stops this week as they take on Australia’s best in their hometown for the National Junior Championships.
More than 300 competitors will arrive in the city for the national titles from tomorrow, but the Townsville contingent hope they have the edge after a week- long training camp in preparation.
The local club will feature in every age group from under- 11 through to under- 18 as Jason Wong, Taleisha Gaeta, Ashmith Sivoganathan, James Wang, Michael Bowler, Caitlin Woods, and Lavenia Bradshaw chase national glory.
Townsville head coach George Logothetis said the Australian championships were a huge opportunity for the young players to show exactly what they can do.
“Some of these kids represent Australia at international events. All the good players from all around Australia are going to be here,” he said.
“To be honest, we don’t often have the opportunity to get exposure in the big events ( coming from Townsville) – so it’s very good for our kids. It shows you a little bit about the work that we do here at the club because it’s difficult to have representatives in every age group.”
Townsville Table Tennis Association president Brendan Gaeta said the national event was a nice reward for the youngsters who have been training every day.
“It’s a big commitment from the juniors. They’re always training and you’ve got to put in those hours if you want to compete at the national level,” he said.
Play starts tomorrow from 4pm at Townsville Stadium.