Stewart’s Standout Performance in Townsville Kicks Off a Busy Season

Rockhampton Table Tennis Association’s keen players of all levels have a packed schedule ahead as Queensland’s tournament calendar heats up. With major national events in July and the Australian Veterans Championships in Moreton Bay this October, there are plenty of opportunities to compete.

Last weekend, Ann-Louise Stewart made the long journey to Townsville to participate in the club’s annual International Women’s Day Tournament. Competing in a strong field, she delivered an impressive performance, finishing as the runner-up in the main event. This prestigious competition awards the Nula Redhead Memorial Trophy, named in honour of a Townsville and Queensland table tennis legend known for her skill, sportsmanship, and competitive spirit. Redhead frequently competed in Rockhampton’s major tournaments during her playing days.

Stewart remained unbeaten throughout the preliminary rounds, with her only loss coming in the final against Taleisha Gaeta, Townsville’s leading junior girl, who has now secured this coveted title for the second consecutive year.

The next major event on the calendar for Rockhampton players is the Bundaberg Open Championships, set for 22-23 March. With table tennis carnivals taking place nearly every weekend in the lead-up to the Rockhampton Open over the ANZAC Day long weekend, players have plenty of opportunities to sharpen their skills. The Rockhampton Open will also serve as a Northern Qualifier for state selection, catering to both veteran and junior players. Event details are now available.

The latest round of open-grade fixtures saw another night of intense doubles battles, with two-person teams making every match count.

One of the standout matches saw Judd Carr and Ann-Louise Stewart mount a thrilling comeback from 0-2 down to claim victory over Rayden Smith and Allan Clarke in five sets (11-7, 13-11, 11-9).

Meanwhile, James O’Sullivan and Nick Green delivered their best performance of the season, outlasting Joel Coughlan and Shaun Pettett in a gripping five-set contest. Matt Pettett and Glen McDonald also edged out Dane Coughlan and Jakob Baker in another tightly contested match.

With high-level competition continuing to unfold both locally and across the state, Rockhampton players are gearing up for an exciting and challenging season ahead. For those looking to stay sharp between tournaments, regular practice sessions are available at the Leichhardt Park playing centre. Players can also join:

• Club Night: Mondays from 7:30 pm

• Top Table Session: Thursdays from 7:00 pm

  
  

Junior players are welcome at beginner coaching classes on Thursdays from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm. As they improve, they can stay on to learn competitive play. Qualified coaches are always on hand, and new players only need non-marking sports shoes to get started. All club activities and updates can be found on our Website or Facebook page.