Community in Focus: Deniliquin Regional Sports and Entertainment Stadium

The Olympic sport of table tennis is experiencing a surge in popularity in the Deniliquin district.

The international sport is one of the more recent additions to the comprehensive list of activities available at the Deniliquin Regional Sports and Entertainment Stadium.

Open to players of all abilities, whether beginner or advanced, table tennis is played at the local sports facility on Tuesday nights, with three weekly pennant competitions held throughout year.

Having risen in popularity since an inaugural ‘Come and Try’ night in May 2023, the Deniliquin Table Tennis Club, with support from stadium management, has been actively working to provide appropriate facilities to ensure that all participants can enjoy playing safely.

“Table tennis is a fun sport which basically requires the table, racquets and balls," Sports Stadium Manager John Arthur explained.

"But in the early stages we had the tables set up on concrete flooring, which was not ideal as it can create extra stress on a player’s ankles or knees.

“So our next important step was to install appropriate flooring. 

"We raised enough funds for flooring on two table tennis courts, but our numbers kept growing, so we needed a third table and had to seek additional funds.”

After reading about Murray Irrigation’s community sponsorship program for eligible local projects, the organisation submitted an application, which was subsequently successful. 

The Murray Irrigation grant was matched by the Deniliquin Stadium committee, and now the three table tennis courts have the appropriate standard of flooring.

“I’m confident that now we have the third court, we will recruit more members and numbers will continue to grow,” John said. 

Impressive growth spurt 

Although table tennis is a relatively new sport to the stadium, its growth has been impressive. Two years ago, it became affiliated with Table Tennis Victoria (like many sporting bodies in Deniliquin, for geographical reasons they align with Victoria rather than our home state of NSW).

In August this year, it will host a Table Tennis Victoria tournament which will bring more than 100 players plus supporters to town.

“It will be a big boost for our local economy,” John said.

“We’ll have to provide between 20 and 30 tables; the tournament attracts ranking points, so players will come from far and wide chasing these points to gain eligibility for tournaments at a higher level.”

Everyone involved in table tennis at the Deniliquin Stadium is excited to see the tournament hosted locally, and hopes it will be the catalyst for another growth spurt. 

John says it will provide financial benefit to the facility, as well as offer a significant boost to local business and help promote Deniliquin and district as a holiday destination.

 Activity is key to good health and wellbeing 

As an experienced sports administrator, John is well aware the positive community health impacts stemming  from the stadium's activities far outweigh their economic benefits. 

However, for these to be realised, it is imperative the appropriate facilities and equipment are available. This, in turn, increases the number of people who want to participate in the stadium’s programs.

“Sport is a great way to make friends and connect with others in the local community,” he said.

“It promotes a healthy lifestyle and offers mental health benefits." 

According to John, table tennis improves hand-eye coordination, balance and flexibility, is easy on the joints, keeps the  brain sharp and burns calories.

"Case studies have also shown that table tennis can benefit those living with Parkinson’s, children and adults with physical and mental disabilities, and is also a good prevention for Alzheimer’s," he said. 

Table tennis a sport for all ages

Table tennis is actively promoted as an option for over 50s due to its low impact nature and the social connectivity of being in a club. The oldest player in NSW is 102 and is still competing!

Table tennis is just one part of Deniliquin Stadium's diverse sporting program which is designed to suit all ages.  Other activities include basketball, netball, badminton, soccer, boxing, Lifeball and, more recently, pickleball. 

The facility also provides coaching accreditation support, and there are volunteer opportunities for those who want to get involved beyond the sporting arena. 

In addition, the stadium hosts regular school holiday programs which, during the most recent school break, attracted a record number of children who enjoyed a vast range of activities.

“At the stadium we have activities for the very young, through to school age, adults and seniors,” John said.

“We understand it is vital each activity has proper, well-maintained equipment.”

Stadium plays host to a spectrum of activity  

The Deniliquin Regional Sports & Entertainment Stadium was built in the 1980s after a strong community push, with extensions built in 2019-20. 

It is used annually by more than 20 clubs, with an average of more than 500 players, plus spectators, each week.

Owned by the Edward River Council and managed under contract by the community group, Deniliquin Sports Park Incorporated, the facility delivers high quality, innovative programs for junior and senior participants, as well as disability inclusion activities and Indigenous programs.