REPORT ON 2021 NSW COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Country Championships is a team’s format has been run in NSW, at many different venues for a number of decades. On Saturday and Sunday, 29 and 30 May, the biggest ever event was held at Niagara Stadium Gosford, where the event has been held in recent years. Sixty-four teams played on thirty-two tables in what was a most successful event. The ever-present threat of Covid, which saw the event cancelled in 2020 along with almost all sporting events, did not dampen the attendance or the enthusiasm.

The standard of play was high with teams coming from as far afield as Lismore to the North, Kiama to the South and the ACT to the West. In total there was about 240 players in the event.

The event was played in 10 divisions with six teams in each of 8 divisions and eight teams in each of 2 divisions. In the six team divisions, each team played the other 5 teams, 3 matches on Saturday and 2 matches on Sunday. In the eight team divisions, each division is divided into 4 teams and those teams play each other on Saturday with the top two teams from each half playing each other on Sunday for the top places. The bottom two teams from each half played each other for positions 5 to 8. Each team match takes about 4 hours to play with 9 singles matches and 2 doubles matches. There are generally 3 players in each team, but a team can have up to 5 players.

The winners and runners up were:

Division 1: ACT 1 from Illawarra 1

Division 2: Coffs Harbour 2 from Armidale 1

Division 3: Penrith 2 from ACT 4

Division 4: ACT 6 from Central Coast 3

Division 5: Coffs Harbour 3 from Port Macquarie 3

Division 6: Armidale 3 from Illawarra 3

Division 7: Coffs Harbour 4 from SUNS (invited team from Sydney)

Division 8: Kiama from Port Macquarie 5

Division 9: Penrith 7 from Newcastle 7

Division 10: Port Macquarie 6 from Newcastle 8  

Annually, in conjunction with the Country Championships, the Dave Beaumont Award is presented to a country club member who has worked tirelessly for the betterment of table tennis. The Award was commenced by his table tennis family following the passing of Dave who was not only a great player but a great supporter of the growth in table tennis at both the player and administrative levels. This year the Country League Committee selected Jennie Hall from Gosford (CCTTA) and Rob Beaumont, Dave’s son, made the presentation. Jennie has not only been the Treasurer of her Club for 18 years but has contributed to the growth of table tennis at her club and the success of its activities and events.

In addition, the AGM of the Country League was held on Friday night. The Committee elected for the next twelve months is:

President: Phil Males

First Vice President: Steve Collard
Second Vice President: Ken Sands

Secretary: Dale Allen

Treasurer: Phil Males

Below are some photos from the Championships:

NSW Country Table Tennis Championships

Action at Venue

Niagara Park Stadium Gosford.

32 Tables – 64 Teams

Dave Beaumont Memorial Trophy Presentation

Winner: Jennie Hall (Central Coast)

Presented on behalf of Beaumont Family by Rob Beaumont

Division 1 Winners

ACT 1

Left to Right
Muhammed Mugal
Jeff Jin
Michael Bowrey