USATT LEAGUE of the Month - Mar/Apr 2006

Genesee Valley Table Tennis League

Rochester, New York

By Mary Beth MacClaren

GVTTC has been around as a club since the 1930’s, and has given rise to many great players, sponsored both local and national tournaments, and helped keep the sport of table tennis alive and well in Western New York. Currently located in the Rochester Sports Garden, the club is highly visible to baseball, soccer, basketball, and lacrosse players of all ages ... some of them have even signed on to sub in the league!  It is not uncommon to look over the barrier and see a row of young faces watching the players and learning how athletic the sport of table tennis really is!

This season is the club’s first year of participation in the USATT league program.  Alan Estill, league director, and the GVTTC executive committee decided to pay the USATT league membership for all 44 players in the Monday Night League. As a result of the weekly ratings updates, the league has seen an increase in members attending USATT rated events in order to “test out” their league ratings.  Every week league members play three matches, each one with three differently rated opponents ranging from beginner to veteran players. In addition, the league members are all provided with lessons with Coach Ray Mack, a nationally ranked player who has experienced his own success in both sponge and hardbat, and at the Senior Olympics.  The lessons help the players develop their skills and prepare for tournament play. 

A challenge ladder gives players further opportunities to play competitive matches with the over 80 club members that are in the Monday and Tuesday leagues and also the recreational players that show up for open play.  Participants in the USATT league range from up-and-coming young players like 11-year-old Casey MacClaren to veteran player Bob Brickell who has been playing in Rochester and making paddles for USATT players across the country for over 50 years.  Bob has won the U.S. Senior Olympics and is currently ranked 5th nationally in his age group.  The wide variety of players allows opportunities for competitive matches for the highest ranking league members, and great learning opportunities for newcomers to the sport.  Membership in the USATT league program is the latest addition to GVTTC’s long history as a hot bed for Western NY table tennis! 

Sponsored by and 
 
All League Equipment Available
Tables | Rackets | Sponge | Balls