Seniors invited to serve up table tennis

MARCUS Hill is gearing up to become the senior’s table tennis hub on the Bellarine.

A Keen-Agers recreational program for retirees is hosting the sport each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning at the Marcus Hill Hall, which comes alive with the incessant sounds of plastic balls on table tennis bats.

“Remember the days when we played table tennis on mum’s kitchen table, or in the garage?” program co-ordinator Graeme Beardwood said.

“Many have already taken up the challenge and recaptured the joy they had many years ago.”

Program coordinator Martin Wilson assured potential players that the group would play the game in a passive environment.

“It’s not the most strenuous exercise and it’s not competition,” he said.

“There’s no stress involved – you come down and play when you want to play and learn as fast as you want to learn.”

The Keen-agers Program was formerly located at St James Hall Drysdale and have relocated to the Marcus Hill Hall.

The location is attracting people from Barwon Heads, Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale, Drysdale, Curlewis, Clifton Springs, St Leonards, Leopold and East Geelong.

The Bellarine Keen-Agers Table Tennis Club have received sponsorship support from City of Greater Geelong, via the Councillor Community Grant, OPSM Waurn Ponds, Rancie Financial Services, Bendigo Bank, Drysdale and Neville Richards Real Estate.

“Medical practitioners from places where Keen-agers have been established have praised the program, as recreational table tennis is helpful for recuperative benefits after surgery, stroke, arthritis, knee and hip replacements,” Graeme said.

“The opportunity to meet people in the same age group is a positive wellbeing outlook.”

Anyone over 55 years wanting more information can phone Graeme on 0402 300 449 or Martin on 0409 338 558.