OOAK Table Tennis Forum

I was just wondering if there are many members here that compete in the Easter Classic in Melbourne. I remember when I was a junior, this seemed to be the biggest tournament in Melbourne (besides the national championships), and there were usually a few players that would head over to play. I am thinking of heading over the Melbourne for the Easter holidays this year to play in the tournament and have a bit of a holiday over there while I am at it. I have fond memories of playing in interstate competition when I was a Junior and the MSAC was always a good venue

Also, if I do end up coming over, if there are any players that don't have a doubles partner, I would be keen to play to get some extra games in, and maybe cause a few upsets

It would be great to hear your experiences with the tournament and if it is worthwhile playing in it

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Main: Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit ST | FH: Andro Hexer HD 2.1mm | BH: Donic Bluefire MAX

its a great tournament, i've played before. very busy and lots of fun.

i might be heading down for this from brisbane again - providing i can get myself organized

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Yasaka Sweden Extra
Yasaka Rakza PO 2.0mm
TSP Curl P-1R OX

"slappy slappy slappity slap"

Thanks for the feedback. Does there seem to be many interstate players that head over?

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Main: Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit ST | FH: Andro Hexer HD 2.1mm | BH: Donic Bluefire MAX

there's usually a few of us from Queensland, not very many though. to be honest the only ones that travel for this stuff are the top end guys plus those on holidays, there's always a few interestate juniors that have come for the training camps that play this tournament also.

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Yasaka Sweden Extra
Yasaka Rakza PO 2.0mm
TSP Curl P-1R OX

"slappy slappy slappity slap"

If I am free, would love to catch up for a hit Dan! Don't know about entering tourney, but if I did I'd enter the Vets part if there's one

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I'm always in the dark, but the Dark sheds lights upon everything!! Beauty is only pimple deep! Beauty is in the eye of the pipholder!
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No worries Reb, I'll definitely let you know if I end up coming over for it. I might contact the tournament organisers and see if there is any chance of being able to use a table at MSAC the day before the tournament (if that is a convenient venue for you?).

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Main: Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit ST | FH: Andro Hexer HD 2.1mm | BH: Donic Bluefire MAX

The 2 day Geelong Junior, Senior and Vets is the very next week after so it's a bit of a problem. Although if you were coming all the way from QLD you might as well play both those tournaments while you are here, should get yourself a Victorian and therefore national rating if you played enough matches at the MSAC senior and Geelong Senior (and vets/jnr's if eligible). The biggest regular tournament in Victoria and Australia (I think) is the Victorian country championships. It's only for non metro Victorian players though so you are out of luck on that one. It's a three day tournament with near enough to 400 players

February
5 MSAC Open - New format (MSAC)
16-19 Australian Olympic Qualifying (SYD)
26 Bendigo Junior (incl U21)(Jnr Top 4) Entry Form
March
5-8 Oceania Olympic Qualifying (TBA)
10 Dandenong Junior
11 Dandenong Vets
12 Dandenong Seniors
17/18 (TBC) Junior Encouragement 1 (MSAC)
24 Vic Closed Junior (MSAC)(Top 4)
25-1 World Teams Championships (GER)
April
6 Easter Classic Junior (MSAC)
7 Vic Open Junior (MSAC)(Top 4)
8 Easter Classic Senior (Grades & Open qual)
9 Easter Classic Senior (Open finals,finish early)
10-13 Australian AWD Championships (Gold Coast)
21-22 TTA National Conference and AGM
14 Geelong Junior & Senior
15 Geelong Vets (Top 4)
16-18 ITTF WJC Camp, Cadet & Jnr Qual (Auc, NZ)
28 Vic Closed Senior (MSAC)(Top 4)
29 Bendigo Vets
May
5-6 Croydon Elite Table Tennis Open (TTA Event)
6 Croydon Masters Senior (Top 4) Open and U21 Teams Selection ends
19 Ballarat Junior
20 Ballarat Senior
26 Albury Wodonga Junior
27 Vic Open Vets (MSAC)(Top 4)
June
1-2 TTA Test Event and HP Camp (TBA)
2 Junior Encouragement 2 (TBA)
3 Albury Wodonga Senior
4-6 Oceania Championships (U21 and Senior)(Fiji)
9-11 Vic Country Championships (MSAC)
23 Vic Open Senior (MSAC)(Top 4)
24 Vic Closed Vets (MSAC)(Top 4)
25-30 World Veterans Championships (SWE)
July
1-7 Australian Open (QLD)
14 Croydon Masters Junior (Top 4)
15 Croydon Masters Vets (Top 4) Vets Teams Selection ends
21 Warnambool Junior
22 Hamilton Junior Junior Teams Selection ends
28-8 Olympic Games (London)
August
5 Ballarat Vets
11 Sponsored Junior (MSAC)
26 Junior Encouragement 3 (MAccabi) (TBC)
29-9 Paralympics (London)
31-2 Australian Closed Championships (TBA)
September
9 Mornington Peninsula Vets
15 Mornington Peninsula Junior
21-23 Women's World Cup (TBA)
26-28 Australian Junior combined camp (Perth)
28-30 Men's World Cup (TBA)
29-6 Australian Junior Championships (Perth)
30 Sunbury Vets
October
13-20 Australian Veterans Championships (ACT)
27 Bairnsdale Junior
November
11 Senior Tournament (MSAC)
22-25 World Team Cup (Dubai)
25 Junior Encouragement Final Series (MSAC)
31-1 (TBC) PPP Camp (Mlb)
December
15 HWATT Junior & Senior (incl AWD) (MSAC)
9-16 World Junior Championships (Cape Town, SA)
To Be Advised

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Donic defplay senso
Haifu whale soft (grips-euro)
Nittaku pimplemini 1.0mm

I haven't played in the Easter tourney for years but back in the day (when it was called the Riversdale) it was huge. Lots of top players from NSW, Tassie and especially South Aust regularly competed. There was even a 2 man team comp held on Good Friday. It's probably still worth making the trip - especially if you can get a hit with some decent practice partners as well.

Sounds good.

I would be going over for the whole weekend, and the competition only seems to be on the Sunday/Monday (for Seniors), are there any other near by clubs where I might be able to get a hit? It seems like MSAC has the Junior tournaments on the Friday/Saturday, so it seems unlikely I would be able to have a practice then. I will be staying as close to MSAC as possible, and obviously relying on walking/public transport to get anywhere else.

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Main: Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit ST | FH: Andro Hexer HD 2.1mm | BH: Donic Bluefire MAX

Croydon, Dandenong and Coburg are the 3 other major clubs/centers. The trouble is that they are all a fair way from MSAC so it may be necessary to hire a car. Dandenong is a very strong club that Reb can tell you about (just don't go catching the train there unless you are tired of living - its a bit on the rough side). Coburg is a very vibrant and well run club at which you would be made to feel welcome. There are a number of solid players who regularly practice there. When you arrive just tell the guy at the desk where you are from etc and he will look after you -

http://coburg.tabletennisweb.com/

and

http://tabletennis.about.com/od/organis ... e-View.htm

haha, last time i was there i was warming up with robbie frank/kyle davis.

that's something that doesn't happen up here in qld....

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Yasaka Sweden Extra
Yasaka Rakza PO 2.0mm
TSP Curl P-1R OX

"slappy slappy slappity slap"

Thanks for the info carbonman, I'll see what I can do for transport while I'm over there and try to get around to one of the clubs.

Just another general question, I have noticed that TTV tournaments also have some different division based events, any ideas how this is worked out for interstate players who obviously don't have a TTV ranking?

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Main: Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit ST | FH: Andro Hexer HD 2.1mm | BH: Donic Bluefire MAX

Not sure about that. probably best to contact someone at TTV direct. Whilst you are at it ask them your chances of getting a practice session at MSAC whilst the junior tourney is on - they may be accommodating given you are from interstate. one of these 2 people should be able to help...


Chief Executive Officer
Anne King
[email protected]



Events & Sports Administration Officer
Brinnen Reiss
[email protected]

Thanks again carbonman, I actually just sent off an email to Anne as well when I did that post, so we will see what she says

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Main: Butterfly Timo Boll Spirit ST | FH: Andro Hexer HD 2.1mm | BH: Donic Bluefire MAX

From what I have read of where you are currently at I am guessing you should be eligible for both Division 1 and Dvision 2 singles.