Local Players in Action as QLD Veterans Championships Begin

Six of Rockhampton’s dedicated veteran table tennis players are competing this week at the Queensland Veterans Championships, held at the impressive South Pine Sports Centre in Brendale, Moreton Bay. The massive event, running from today through Saturday, will see 30 tables in action across full-sized courts.

Kelsey Pettett is making her debut in the over-30 division, while Warun Wilkinson returns for his second appearance in the over-50 events. James O’Sullivan will compete in the over-60 category — remarkably, his first Q-Vets despite many years in the sport. Veteran Pam Clarke adds to her long list of state and national appearances, bringing a wealth of experience to the tournament.

The group is joined by Gerard Watts, who will primarily compete in the over-70 division. Watts, a Life Member of the Rockhampton Table Tennis Association, is currently transitioning to live on the Gold Coast but continues to spend about a week each month in Rockhampton, where he often fills in for local top-grade teams. Now a regular in the Gold Coast club’s top division, he’s become a tournament member there — and this week, he’ll don their colours as part of one of their over-70 men’s teams.

While many still consider Watts a Rocky player after more than sixty years of local involvement, his team selection with the Gold Coast means he’ll represent them at this event. He will also reunite with former Rockhampton star Barry Hare, competing together in both the over-65 and over-70 men’s doubles, where they are seeded second in each draw.

Meanwhile, one of the city’s current leading players, Matthew Pettett, has just returned from Traralgon, Victoria, where he completed his fourth consecutive stint as head coach of the Queensland teams at the Australian National Championships — a remarkable commitment. The event features inter-state team and individual championships across all age groups.

Pettett reports promising signs for Queensland’s future, noting the state’s juniors returned with a strong medal haul. Notably, Queensland won both the under-11 boys’ and girls’ singles, as well as the under-11 girls’ team event. Some of these juniors competed at Rockhampton’s Open Championships in April, providing local youngsters with a valuable opportunity to see them in action and test their own skills.

Locally, the city’s main junior coaching program continues on Thursdays from 4:30pm at the Leichhardt Park Table Tennis Centre (157 Campbell Street). A new season of open-grade fixtures begins next week, and the city’s annual Closed Championships will kick off on Tuesday, 5 August. Full details are available from the club.