Club of the Month: Newport New TTC

By Ray Hopkins
www.nnttc.com

Just like many others in the Hampton Roads Virginia area I had the passion for table tennis without the facilities to play competitively.  Well, thanks to the efforts of Hiep Tran and with the support of the Newport News Parks and Recreation Department, the Newport News Table Tennis Club was formed.  The official opening was September 15, 2004, and we have been steadily growing ever since.

The club is available for players of all ability levels regardless of gender or age and our membership dues are very reasonably priced.  We currently have 12 Joola tables and over 100 barriers at the state-of-the-art Midtown Community Center where we compete.  Our regular schedule is Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-9:30 p.m. During this time we have tables available for competitive matches or practice.  We also offer training through our coaching director Dan Barrett.

Even though Tran, NNTTC President, is given a lot of the credit for initiating the start of our club he received plenty of help.  We should recognize Benard Eballar (Vice-President 1), Morris Abraham (Club Manager and Treasurer), Richard Council (Vice-President 2) and Dan Barrett, who besides coaching is also our tournament director.  We have also been helped tremendously with sponsorship from Mr. Tom Manley of TC Electric and from the city of Newport News.  Thanks should also go to tournament sponsors Cox Communications, Table Tennis Pioneers, and Extended Stay Hotels.  To help promotions we have been featured in the area newspaper The Daily Press and on local ABC news affiliate WVEC.

Our first year was highlighted by the success of hosting three USATT sanctioned tournaments. We also started USATT sanctioned league play once a month. We set up three divisions based on player ratings.  Between the tournaments and the leagues, we brought to USATT more than 100 new members.  Our tournaments and leagues attract many players from all over the U.S. and an international player, Vitaliy Deyark (former Ukraine Junior Champion).  NNTTC brought back the Virginia State Championships.  It had been over 30 years since our area had hosted this event.  Our president, Hiep Tran, won the State Championships over Daniel Le of Fairfax, VA.

Besides table tennis, NNTTC raised money and helped retirement homes to buy a heater and air conditioning.  NNTTC donated all proceeds from our September league play to the American Red Cross after the Katrina disaster.

Even though table tennis is the main attraction for our club to gather together, it has been a wonderful way to make new friends. The club promotes this by sponsoring summer picnics and Christmas parties throughout the year to bring everyone together away from the rigors of competition.

The NNTTC would also like to invite anyone visiting Newport News or any surrounding cities to come out and enjoy a fun and competitive night of table tennis with our club.  Our website (www.nnttc.com) provides all the information you will need.