Northern Suburbs Table Tennis League use World Table Tennis Day to boost #FEMEmpowerment

The Northern Suburbs Table Tennis League in Hobart is using World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) on April 6 to open the door for women and children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds to start exploring the world of table tennis. 

Table Tennis Tasmania’s State Development Officer, Roger Massie said the theme #FEMEmpowerment will be the focus for their WTTD event, but will also form part of the follow-up program.  

“Our club and sport need more female participation, not only players but coaches, officials and administrators,” Massie said. 

“We believe that attracting more females in these areas will have a positive long-term effect in growing the sport for the greater good of the table tennis community.”

The WTTD event this year will be mainly run by the club’s female committee members and volunteers, apart from Massie and the club president. The club has also invited female members of the local and state government as special guests. 

“We are hoping to create a female-friendly environment on the night, so everyone feels comfortable taking part in the activities. We plan to survey participants as to what factors would attract them to being involved in the sport on a regular basis,” Massie said. 

Table tennis is in a unique position to continue to engage with girls and women from different backgrounds as the sport is accessible, adaptable and perfectly suited to introduce people who may not have been previously involved. 

“We are promoting a safe game in a safe environment and this is our priority. A lot of research has gone into why some women don’t get involved in sport, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and we wish to address and break down those barriers,” Massie said. 

The more culturally diverse and welcoming the sport is, the more educated and aware the participants become to each other’s needs and differences. 

“In our own small way we can make a stand against racism and xenophobia which mainly stem from ignorance and lack of exposure to people from backgrounds other than our own,” Massie said. 

The event starts at 6:30pm.