LAKELAND ANNOUNCES PRIZE INCREASE FOR NEXT TOURNEY-$2,000.00

LAKELAND TT INCREASES PRIZE AMOUNT TO $2,000.00 FOR TOURNAMENT

The Lakeland Table Tennis Association has announced an increase in the prize money available for the next upcoming USATT sanctioned tournament that is scheduled for May 1-2, 2015 in Lakeland, Florida. A total of $1,950.00 will be up for grabs in the Colossal Round Robin Singles and the brand new event, Super Big Ball Singles will add an additional $50.00 for the winner. In addition to the prize money, trophies will be awarded to the top 4 places in all the Colossal Round Robin Events, the USSTTA Sandpaper Event and the Super Big Ball Singles Event. Trophies will be awarded to both team members in the Doubles competition for first and second place.

Brad Woodington, LTTA President and Tournament Director, is excited about the increase in prize money and the new Super Big Ball Singles Event. The new Big Ball Event features the larger 44 mm ball and an increase to the net height of 2 cm, raising the net to 17.25 cm instead of the standard 15.25 cm. In addition, players are required to use a short-pip paddle with sponge. Paddles are provided for players who do not have their own custom approved paddle for the competition, The 44 mm game has become very popular in Japan and is growing in popularity in Europe, A new SBBTTA (Super Big Ball Table Tennis Association) has been organized in the United States to promote the sport. You can find out more information about the new sport  HERE

Registration is now open for all the events at the Lakeland, Florida Tournament. You can find out more information and register for the upcoming tournament HERE

If you have additional questions or assistance in registering, please contact Brad Woodington
(863)-225-2603 or Email: sandpaperdog@yahoo.com

TABLE TENNIS RETIREMENT HAVEN

TABLE TENNIS RETIREMENT HAVEN--THE VILLAGES, FLORIDA USA

At some point, many people will retire and often will search for a retirement area, just right for them and their family. This is certainly true for people who love to continue to be active with Table Tennis during their senior years.

If you happen to enjoy Table Tennis and you are in the market for a retirement location, it may be in your best interest to research THE VILLAGES, FLORIDA. This is a huge retirement community located in the middle part of Florida. The Villages has grown to almost 120,000 population and continues to grow. This golf cart, gated community has tremendous amenities, including golf, swimming, pickleball, tennis, and actually too many activities to mention in this article. There is something here for everyone, including inside and outside activities.

For the Table Tennis player, you will find nine recreation centers that provide Table Tennis activities. Players can choose which center and what times they prefer. Table Tennis is offered every day (all 7 days of the week) with a typical week offering 22 Table Tennis sessions. Many players visit several locations during the week and some even play more than once a day and some play every day at one of the various locations.

The Villages also has an excellent Table Tennis Club, under the direction of Bud Stout. The Villages Table Tennis Club has over 200 members and is very active with several social events scheduled during the year, scheduled tournaments for singles and doubles, active practice, drill and match time for all members. The annual dues are only $5.00 and the club is perhaps one of the best organized clubs for Table Tennis activities.  Players are provided clinics, hosted by several of the coaches available at the club.

So, if you are considering retirement, take a look at The Villages, Florida and what is available to you, especially in regards to our great sport of Table Tennis.

Here is the link to The Villages Table Tennis Club Website

President Bud Stout

The Villages Table Tennis Club

KIT JEERAPAET'S AMAZING BEHIND THE BACK SHOT!

KIT JEERAPAET'S AMAZING BEHIND THE BACK SHOT!

Kit Jeerapaet, one of the best table tennis players in Florida, was competing in the Championship Class of the USATT sanctioned tournament in Lakeland, Florida on February 21, 2015. His opponent was Sutanit Tangyingyong, another top rated player in Florida. During the match, Jeerapaet moves quickly to return a shot by Tangyingyong, thrusting his paddle behind his back. The return was perfect and caught his opponent off guard. You can view the shot and the results in the video below. Jeerapaet went on to win the Championship Class at the Florida Orange Blossom Table Tennis Series-Winter Classic, sponsored by the Lakeland Table Tennis Club in Lakeland, Florida  http://www.floridatt.com/lakelandtt
By the way, this video has become viral and has been viewed by almost 2 1/2 million people around the world!

The Florida Table Tennis Network Begins

THE FLORIDA TABLE TENNIS NETWORK BEGINS

This blog has the purpose of bringing weekly news updates to table tennis players, supporters and spectators who either reside in Florida or make journeys to the Sunshine State to engage in various Table Tennis Activities. We hope you will enjoy these weekly updates.

We hope to gather information from Table Tennis Clubs throughout Florida and highlight Table Tennis Activities that are from other parts of the world that might be interesting to our players.

Anyone wishing to submit any Table Tennis News is welcome to send an email to:
izatar@yahoo.com

LAKELAND TABLE TENNIS ANNOUNCES CHANGE TO POLY BALLS

After actively searching for a high quality premium three-star Poly Table Tennis Ball to replace the now out-dated celluloid balls, the Lakeland Table Tennis Association has finally found a winner! Beginning with the May 2, 2015 tournament in Lakeland, the high rated Nexy 40+ Poly Ball has been selected for official tournament use. Several high quality Poly balls were considered, but after multiple test sessions with a wide variety of players and consultations with players who are familiar with the new Poly balls available, Nexy was the leading choice by far.

If you are interested in obtaining these high quality Poly balls, you can contact Joe at:
sutanitt2002@yahoo.com or by visiting the website at: http://www.nexyUSA.com

SUPER BIG BALL TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION IS STARTED

This year there is a brand new Table Tennis Association that has begun in the USA. The Super Big Ball Table Tennis Association has been formed and has already had one official sanctioned SBBTTA Tournament.

The use of the 44mm Table Tennis ball is the key to this new and fast growing sport in the USA. The sport is highly popular in Japan and is growing in popularity in Europe, especially in Germany. The larger ball provides for longer rallies, and offers players the advantage of moving into position to return balls. The size of the ball makes it much easier to see and is especially beneficial for players who may have mobility issues. It is a great sport for spectators and for players.

If you would like to learn more about SBBTTA, visit their new website: http://www.superbigballtt.zohosites.com

ORLANDO JOINS THE MID-FLORIDA TABLE TENNIS TOUR

The Orlando Table Tennis Club has just recently joined the Mid-Florida Table Tennis Tour. The tour has now expanded to eight USATT sanctioned table tennis tournaments. Table Tennis clubs from Clearwater, Cocoa Beach, Lakeland and now Orlando have combined to provide these high quality tournaments for all our players. Players earn Tour Points for each tournament in which they play and the total points are accumulated with prizes and awards provided at the end of the season.

The next Mid-Florida Table Tennis Tour Tournament will be held in Orlando, Florida on March 14, 2015. You can learn more about the tournament and register at the following website: http://www.cfttc.webs.com/

You can also learn more about all the great Mid-Florida Tour Tournaments by going to the following website: http://www.floridatt.com/midfloridatt