Some members of our Coolibah Centre for seniors have been playing table tennis for decades, but they were happy to get a few tips from a world championship player who is in training for the Paralympics.
Para table tennis champion hits it out at the Coolibah
11 April 2017
Some members of our Coolibah Centre for seniors have been playing table tennis for decades, but they were happy to get a few tips from a world championship player who is in training for the Paralympics.
Para table tennis athlete Trevor Hirth found out about the Coolibah’s table tennis tournament when he read an ABC News story about some Coolibah members late last year. He decided he had to get in touch and pay a visit. “I thought ‘Wow! Who are these guys and why don’t I know about them?’” he said. Trevor’s visit coincided with World Table Tennis Day on 6 April. He started with the basics, showing members the way to grip the paddle to maximise the power of your stroke. Although it was quite different to the way they had been taught as youngsters Coolibah members and staff gave it a go, and had a laugh as they attempted to master the new technique. Coolibah Manager Marica Cindric, who coordinates the Coolibah tournament and is an avid competitor herself, was chuffed to hold Trevor’s medals from various international competitions. Trevor is in training to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020, but plans to come back to the Coolibah again.