Senior Corner

The new USATT Senior Committee was established last July after a few informal meetings and discussions with regard to the objectives and goals for the development of table tennis among senior players in the U.S. and for their development. The first steps have been taken with regard to these objectives.

Committee Objectives

• The arrangement of table tennis tournaments for senior players (40 to 90 and over) in various geographical areas of the country.

• The development of interclub team competitions on local levels.

• An increase in new USATT members among seniors by means of senior tournaments, clinics, training workshops specifically designed for older players, exhibitions and an increase in media coverage.

Tournaments for Seniors in 2004

The 4-star Meiklejohn National Senior Championships in Laguna Woods, CA, is scheduled for June 3-6, 2004. It consists of four full days of competition and includes 32 events, with $15,000 in prizes.

For the first time in the history of this famous tournament, players 90 years and over will be welcome to participate in ANY tournament event free of charge. We hope that this policy will also be adopted by the National and Open tournaments.

A new Meiklejohn Seniors Quaker City Tournament will be held March 26-27, 2004, in Pennsylvania, in conjunction with the 4-star Quaker City Open.

Two other tournaments are outlined for later dates, one in Atlanta, GA, and another in Texas.

Table Tennis Team Competitions

Interclub competitions are expanding on South California and are scheduled on a monthly basis. The development of this program will lead to an arrangement of the Second Recreational Senior tournament in September, 2004, under the auspices of the 40th Anniversary celebration of Leisure World, Laguna Woods.

Laguna Woods is a unique city, not only in the U.S., but in the world. This is the city of "Ageless" which is governed and served by mature adults (55 to 90 plus).

The USATT Senior Committee is dedicated to direct and promote the realization of this program for the benefit of table tennis senior players and for their well-being.

Our dream is to bring people together through recreational table tennis, encouraging them to let their inner child come out and play and be happy while forgetting about their aches and pains. Let our ageless light of being brighten our lives!