Grandfather urges kids around Australia to sign up for Spinneroos

Need some help convincing Mum or Dad to let you join Spinneroos? Meet the grandpa who has whole list of reasons why you should sign up!

Eric Frangenheim is a 72-year-old C division player from the Sunshine Coast. He has eight grandchildren and he’s convinced nearly every single one to try out the sport. Recently, he wrote a letter to his daughters - their mothers - to help get the remaining playing in the halls.

“I’m loving my life playing table tennis,” Eric said. 

“I was just trying to inspire my three beautiful daughters. Two are living close to us with six grandchildren who are all pretty talented at sport, and I thought, why not try and articulate and reflect on why I think this amazing little game would be character building for my grandchildren.”

Growing up in the bush in the middle of Rhodesia (now called Zimbabwe), Eric was born with polio but played a range of sports including table tennis, basketball, squash, swimming and tennis. Out of all the sports, he noticed one thing about table tennis.

“The whole thing is about skills for life. When I see table tennis players, they’re so polite to each other and these are some of the values I want my grandkids to have. It’s about being humble, not being arrogant, encouraging each other,” he said.

“Sometimes we do things, let’s say playing a sport like table tennis but we don’t realise how valuable it is. We don’t see deeper. I want to children to see with more depth, not superficiality. 

“Even if you look at our beautiful little club near the Sunshine Coast, people volunteer. They help set up. It’s not about me, it’s about we. And when we’re playing it’s not about you individually, you’re trying to beat yourself and improve yourself. “

In his letter, Eric highlights not only the reasons for his family to continue the tradition, but the cognitive and physical benefits of playing table tennis. Outside of this, he also wants to point out that the list should be even longer for those that have not encountered the sport before.

He highlights how affordable and family friendly the sport is.

“So many people have benefited from just getting involved. I know people who’ve got a table on the dining table. Just a plank. That’s the point – it’s affordable, it’s easy to put up, it’s easy to take down.”

Another reason Eric wants his grandkids, and more children to join Spinneroos is so they can play with their grandparents and people of all ages.

“I want children to do it, and specifically my grandchildren, so they can play it now and I can play with them. The kids that joined Spinneroos in Term 4 at the Sunshine Coast Table Tennis Club had  Patrick Wuertz (TTA Participation Manager) teaching them. They had so much fun! Eight weeks with him and I know they’ll be set for life.

“I really hope my letter might be able to help inspire more kids to join, and convince more parents to let their kids join. As I said it’s a sport people can play for life – even if they stop for a while, it’s like riding a bike, they can pick it up again at any time.”

Eric's Letter:

To our wonderful daughters and family,

Why we are keen for all your children to learn to play table tennis? 

1.    I learnt to play at about 10 years old on our farm in Rhodesia. I only needed one opponent (my brother or father). We could play for 5 minutes and up to one hour. It was easy to organise and pursue.

2.    I learnt to learn about my opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

3.    I learnt to respect my opponent.

4.    I learnt to concentrate and focus.

5.    I played this at school (was captain of the school team) and travelled to Gwelo, (15 miles away, once a week during the season and loved playing against adults).

6.    I played a bit at university and then quite frequently as a teacher in schools, especially at Alexandra HS and Port Shepstone HS.

7.    It is a very technical game and it challenges my mind.

8.    If I make a mistake it is only my fault/responsibility. I want my grandchildren to learn this lesson.

9.    I have loved my journey over the last four years in Caloundra.

10.   I have loved how your mother has fallen in love with this sport, and even become obsessive. We sometimes play TT at 9pm!!!!!.

11.    I love that this is an affordable and convenient sport to play.

Regarding our grand-children and other younger players and how this will be a lesson in life skills.

1.    I am sure that they will benefit from the focus and the necessity to make split-second decisions.

2.    I am sure that they will appreciate that they need a wide variety of moves and physical responses for each situation.

3.    I am sure that they will never underestimate their opponent and to show them respect.

4.    I am sure that they will learn to be gracious winners and losers.

5.    I am sure that they will be fantastic listeners, especially with their coaches.

6.    I am sure that they will learn to appreciate all types of coaches, such as sport coaches, music coaches, schoolteachers and, most importantly, their parents (the most important coaches of all!)

7.    I know that this keeps children both active and positive for hours on end.

8.    I know that this sport, like many others, encourages both creativity and risk-taking.

9.    I know that, as a result of the above, players can self-assess their previous action within a second and decide what they need to change. (a most important life skill). We need to encourage self-assessment in everyday life.

10.    I know that a vital part of learning is repetition which creates muscle memory and cognitive memory. 

11.    I know that you, our daughters and sons-in-laws )1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd favourites), want the best for your children.

There are many paths to this noble goal. Learning table tennis is simply one of these paths.

Eric and Terri

Encouraging life-skills.