FROM RUGBY HALF BACK TO TABLE TENNIS CHAMPION (1960’s - 2020’s)

While he played as a representative half back in the school’s rugby league team in 1963 ~ 1964, Paul Pinkewich started to play table tennis at Summer Hill Table Tennis Centre where Noel Shorter was the Centre Manager and Coach.

Noel Shorter started to play table tennis in1955 at Petersham and Bondi Junction, then ran table tennis clubs in Rockdale, Burwood and Summer Hill as coach, manager and owner in 1960’s.

The hard training of Paul Pinkewich (right-handed defensive player) and Steve Knapp (left-handed attacker from Melbourne) with Noel’s professional training made them to be the best junior players in Australia shortly. Paul and Steve formed the basis of the team which ultimately reached Number 12 in the World in 1979 World Championships in Pyongyang, North Korea. It is the highest ranking ever for an Australian team. It was the golden era of Australian table tennis in the 1970s.

Both Paul and Steve were inductees into the Table Tennis Australia Hall of Fame in 2008 for their contributions and achievements in table tennis. Paul has also been inducted into the Table Tennis Australia Hall of Fame (Veterans) on 19 October 2019 as well.

Paul is also the only table tennis player featured in the NSW Sporting Hall of Fame where you may see his deeds at the NSW State Sports Centre.

Paul won the most NSW Open Men’s Singles Titles a total of 11 times so far in 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1997 and 2003 for more than 3 decades. Paul claimed 24 Australian Titles, 6 Oceania Titles, and 14 International Medals. Paul has officially represented Australia at 10 World Championships, 6 Oceania Events and numerous European and Commonwealth Championships over a 25 year period, and represented Australia in 287 International matches.

Due to his excellent achievements, Paul won Table Tennis Australia’s Victor Barna Memorial Trophy as the Australian Senior Player of the Year in 1971, 1974, 1980, 1981, and 1982. The award and title is the highest honour for an Australian senior player and is awarded annually based on performance and results, combined with an athlete’s conduct.

As the highest honour that can be bestowed by Table Tennis Australia upon an individual for longstanding and valued service to the sport of table tennis in Australia, Life Membership was awarded to Paul in 1982, to Steve in 2015 and to Noel in 2019. Underlining how prestigious this award is, since Table Tennis Australia inception in 1933, only 24 people have been awarded Table Tennis Australia Life Membership.

Paul’s conduct, characterised by demonstrating good sportsmanship, acting within the spirit of the game, attitude and behaviour, being a positive role model, etiquette and adherence to the laws of the game is a positive example for others to follow.

As a 70 years “young” player, Paul is pleased to see that eight 10 - 11 years old NSW junior players were selected into the 2021 National Hopes Squad by Table Tennis Australia and the National Selection Panel on 10 May 2021. Paul congratulates all junior players on their selection for an outstanding display of table tennis from the youngest age group.

Paul said: “Look, our table tennis community has several active players over 100 years old. Only 70 years young, I am feeling that my table tennis journey just starts. I am looking forward to playing in many more Veterans events if fitness permits due to my rugged defensive style. I am looking forward to winning more medals for NSW and Australian at least in the next 30 years.”

   Steve Knapp (Left), Noel Shorter (Middle), and Paul Pinkewich (Right) - March 2021

Michael Li thanks for the discussion, communication, advice and support of Paul Pinkewich for this article.