Vale Eugene Herman

Sadly, one of the great contributors to Australian table tennis, Eugene Herman, passed away on 11 January 2018, aged 79 years. Eugene was an outstanding player – he spent countless years ranked amongst the top players in South Australia and Australia and once he moved into Veteran’s ranks he won no less than 9 National Titles – Over 50 Men’s Singles in 1988; Over 40 Men’s Doubles in 1990 and Over 50 Men’s Doubles in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1997, all with Igor Klaf; and Over 40 Mixed Doubles in 1984 and Over 50 Mixed Doubles in 1991, both with Joyce Tregea. He employed a style from yesteryear, playing with a hard bat (short pimples with no sponge) on both sides and he was equally adept in both attack and defense. 

Eugene was the measuring stick for all youngsters coming through the ranks in South Australia. A young player's credibility as someone worthy of higher honors was only validated once they could compete with and eventually beat Eugene. Unless you could read spin, control your placement and be consistent enough to play 6-7 high quality balls without error you simply had no chance. All of South Australia’s best players over the years trod this path, ranging from Neil Ward, through to Paul Langley and William Henzell. 

However, Eugene’s biggest contribution to our sport came away from the table. As a school teacher he opened the door to hundreds of students to play table tennis. Countless players became established club and state level competitors, many of whom are still actively playing today. Eugene also played a lead role in running the Sturt Table Tennis Club. The best example comes from when the local council took back the lease of the club premises in the 1990’s and the club faced a dire future. However, Eugene rallied club members together and in an amazing show of solidarity, many individuals loaned money to enable the club to purchase, not lease, another venue. Eugene himself contributed the lions share of money required to secure the new premises. All the money was eventually paid back to club members, the club still owns the building outright today and remains one of the most financially secure clubs in Australia. Over the years Sturt Table Tennis Club was a powerhouse, winning dozens of premierships across all divisions and producing multiple South Australian and Australian representatives and champions. The club has subsequently evolved to become the highly successful Adelaide Table Tennis Club after merging with the Adelaide Chinese Table Tennis Club in 2013, however without Eugene’s contribution in a time of need there would be no club left today. 

Eugene’s funeral will be held on Tuesday 23 January at 10.15am at Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia. All of the table tennis community are welcome.

Eugene will be sadly missed and his contribution to table tennis will never be forgotten. 

Scott Houston
TTA Interim CEO