by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager
Created by England’s Steve Rowe in Wigan, a suburb of Greater Manchester, the aim is to deliver Aerobic Table Tennis to hundreds of children and like-minded people over a two week period.
Steve has been communicating with organisers Thomas Buza (Marketing & Communication) and Carina Jakobsson (Project Manager) over the last few months, planning all the sessions.
“ We are happy to engage Steve Rowe and his joyful Aerobic Table Tennis; this will help us promote the World Championships in Halmstad as well as increase interest for the sport itself and the fun of moving, bouncing and using your entire body to music. Steve will do about 20 sessions in schools, at libraries and at our main square in the city centre.” Carina Jakobsson
The sessions will be organised in liaison with Ping Pong Power.
“We have worked hard trying to implement the thought that table tennis as a sport for everyone with its fantastic health benefits. Our project “Ping Pong Power” that we have conducted together with our partner Butterfly and the Swedish Table Tennis Association is a proof of that and has been a very successful one. When Steve Rowe and Aerobic Table Tennis joins our team, it’s really just a perfectly natural extension of the Ping Pong Power project. We are very excited and fully convinced that it will be a huge success among the schools here in Halmstad as well as in the playing venue during the Liebherr Team Championships.” Thomas Buza
Organised in liaison with members of the Organising Committee, notably Thomas Buza (Marketing & Communication) and Carina Jakobsson (Project Manager), Steve Rowe will arrive one week before competition begins, he will be assisted by the event mascot, Halmoo.
“It’s amazing to think that a concept that started in Wigan, a northern town in England, is now going to be part of such a major competition. I remember starting this concept in 2011, by doing table tennis moves to music in my living room. Even at that early stage I had dreams that maybe one day Aerobic Table Tennis would be used at a World Championships.” Steve Rowe
Everyone is welcome to attend the sessions in the square, no matter age or fitness level. Aerobic Table Tennis being a fun and exciting way to introduce newcomers to table tennis.
“The sessions planned will include some sessions that will have 100 children taking part at the same time. Children from the age of five years can jointhe sessions. I am so excited to be working with the organisers, and most of all working with the children and getting them excited about table tennis in Halmstad “ Steve Rowe
Additionally, Steve Rowe will be available to speak with national associations on how they can use Aerobic Table Tennis to help with grass roots development in their particular country.
