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It seems TTA has implemented new regulation that excludes most foreign players from entering. It's at TTA's discretion to decide if foreign players are allowed, but I know that a group of Vietnamese players, that have played before in previous years, have been refused entry this year. I think this is a real shame, and I can't see the benefit of such a regulation/decision.

Does anyone know what the new regulation is, and what is the purpose of this?

Letter below, as posted by someone on Facebook:

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It's the best way to have an "australian champion"

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Seems like a racist decision. Not like the winner goes on to represent Australia in the world's or anything right? So no reason for some sort of restrictive requirement. His letter gives absolutely no indication or explanation about why the rule was changed he skirts the issue completely.

Probably should not be called 'Open' championship either, in this case.

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I think the official title is "national veterans championship", so it's possible that they want to keep it 'national', but then why have 'special circumstances' under which international players are allowed? Also why change something that's been very successful in the past?

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I can't help but wonder if a certain Dr. Neubauer were to want to enter again ...

From the posting it is not explicitly stated that the players in question are wanting to enter the team part of it. If so, it may be a way of keeping a lid on the number of teams.

"Traditionally", though it has been state & territory teams in each age group and gender, with the addition of presidents teams for those without enough from their state or territory, then B and sometimes C teams from both states & territories and presidents. Originally there would have been one round robin to determine the winner and ranking of each gender and age group, but that has gone to 2 divisions and cross over matches to determine winner and ranking in some age groups. I believe that the national veterans is the largest table tennis tournament in Australia by participation.

In the past there has been teams from NZ, a group of ladies from Japan, a group of men from Sweden (with one local expat). I am not overly familiar with what has occurred this decade though.

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As of Feb. 2019, Table Tennis Australia (TTA), consolidated the National Championships Regulations for Junior, Senior & Veterans.

Previously international players were unable to play in the Junior and Senior & Youth Championships.
Rationale: The addition of Oceania players for Junior and Senior & Youth provides the opportunity for athletes to compete against international players in a cost effective fashion. Gaining more experience against players that will challenge Australians for Olympic and Youth Olympic Games qualification was deemed favourable.

Previously international players from all countries could compete in the Veterans.
Rationale: Moving from all international countries to Oceania countries only in Veterans is deemed as a fairer option for Australian athletes and ensures consistency. It is noted that discretion may be used under certain circumstances, e.g. players that have been long-term supporters of National Championships.

I have no issue with the addition of Oceania players in the Junior & Senior Event. But applying the same limitation to the Veterans event is a bit restrictive. Since the inception of the Veterans event, international players have been welcomed, it fosters goodwill and camaraderie and a healthy competition among this age group.

The Veterans TT Championships is the biggest TT event in Australia and it occurs once a year which runs for a week. Last year, it was held in Bendigo, Victoria and we had 421 players. There were 6 international players which represented about 1.5%, a very minute number (Russia, USA, India, Wales and 2 from Vietnam).

The Kiwis has always been a regular to these events, so I did not count them as “international”…. Last year, NZ sent 31 players.

Each year the Veteran’s event has grown bigger and it is not due to the presence of international players, but due to the addition of the O30 age group, as well as the growing vibrant numbers of the 070 onward population.

I guess for the sake of uniformity, TTA wants a cohesive and uniform rule apply to all age group in Table Tennis. Is this detrimental to the Veterans? Not with regards to participation numbers, but it will be a shame to lose international players who come to these events with the goal of killing 2 birds with 1 stone eg. Table tennis combined with a holiday trip to Australia.

Next year it will be held in South Australia. Looking forward to see you Alex!

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