South Tweed Heads Table Tennis Club

Published Thu 12 Nov 2020

South Tweed Heads table tennis club a social game-changer for players aged 60 to 100

Article By Cathy Border

Two elderly male table tennis players touch paddles after playing a game

Veteran table tennis players Teddy Marchwicki and Cec Shaw touch paddles after playing a game.(ABC Gold Coast: Cathy Border)

 

There aren't many sports clubs where being 80 makes you one of the youngsters.

Then again, there aren't too many sports clubs like the South Tweed Sports Table Tennis Club in far northern New South Wales.

An old man in a black cap and red and white shirt smiles at the camera.

100-year-old table tennis player Teddy Marchwicki limbers up for a game.(ABC Gold Coast: Cathy Border)

 

The club's oldest member, 100-year-old Teddy Marchwicki, loves giving the 80-year-old whippersnappers a run for their money.

Apart from keeping fit, Teddy said there were other fringe benefits of belonging to the club.

"I like dancing too. I'm looking for another girl," he said, as he broke into a swaying shuffle to demonstrate his dancing skills.

The club formed in 2006 and now has 60 members aged from 60 to 100.

When the ABC visited, it was a hive of activity and laughter, with the four tables continually in use.

Treasurer Elspeth Sherwood said the secret to the club's success was that everyone looked out for each other.

 

Game on: Ted vs Cec

Two veteran table tennis players in a game at an indoor sports centre with other tables in the background

Veteran table tennis players Teddy Marchwicki and Cec Shaw battle for glory.(ABC Gold Coast: Cathy Border)

 

There was no denying that the game was on when Teddy grabbed his paddle and, with a glint in his eye, limbered up to do battle with his opponent, 99-year-old club secretary Cec Shaw.

 

"We played on the dining-room table at home just for fun."

Those days of childhood fun led Cec to an impressive career as a champion table tennis player.

"My records are all behind me now," he said.

"I represented Queensland in the interstate series from 1950 to 1956 and, in 1955, I won the open doubles national title with my partner."

Although he plays for fun these days, Cec had a return to sporting glory in 2007 when he and his partner won the national over-75 veterans' doubles title.

And as for the game between Teddy and Cec? No-one was able to keep track of the score amid all the banter and laughter.

 

Table tennis tango

An elderly couple hug while holding table tennis paddles

Love match: Gloria Carlile and Jim Terry met at the South Tweed Sports Club.(ABC Gold Coast: Cathy Border)

 

Over the years — and over the lobs and drop shots — friendship has turned into romance for some of the club's members.

"It was suggested I give him a ring so I rang him up and said, 'Would you like to come around for tea', so he said yes," Gloria said.

"He was a bit unhappy with the loss of his wife. One thing led to another, and I'd lost my previous husband about eight years ago."

The couple plays table tennis up to four times a week at the club and often has a few more games at home.

As for Teddy's quest to find a partner, Noelene plays a straight bat.