Marlborough Open 2024
Welcome to the Gascoigne Wicks Marlborough Open Table Tennis Championships!
Our main event is sponsored by Gascoigne Wicks who are committed to providing the best and most comprehensive legal service at a competitive rate.
The Marlborough Open sponsored by Gascoigne Wicks is on this weekend, with the Open and C Grade Sections being played on the Saturday with the Veteran and Junior Events taking place on Sunday.
There are 32 local players taking part, with 12 being female, out of a total of 67 entries.
Canterbury's Simon Fenwick is back looking for his fourth Men's Singles Title having won the title three times previously in 2011-2013. He is always there or thereabouts when the final placings are decided.
Nelson's Daniel Astle will be among the favourites. The former Canterbury and Southland representative hasn't played for a few years, but has a hard hitting game and is hard to beat.
Ben Jung from the North Shore has been supporting this tournament for a number of years and is capable of some big shot making.
Nelson juniors Joshua Pigott and Dimitri Bell should also perform well as they both play a modern attacking style.
Marlborough's hopes will rest with Alex Kennedy, Mikey Kamson, and Nathan Cross. Alex has shown that he can match it with these players, with his consistent game. Mikey is an explosive player who relishes hard hitting rallies. Nathan is capable of doing well and will be a busy man over the weekend as he is the Tournament Manager.
Ten women have entered the Women's Singles. Canterbury's Anny Li and Kris Alisch will be among the front runners. Anny, a penholder, is a very tricky player with changes of pace and placement. Kris has been coming to the tournament for a number of years and plays a fast open attacking game. Marlborough's Jacqui Wood is another very strong player with attacking shots from both backhand and forehand. Supreya Prasertsakda played for Marlborough in the mid 2000's and is back playing locally this year. Macey Matzig is a relative newcomer to Marlborough and has good technique. Anna King from Nelson is an ex-Canterbury player with a strong attacking game while Ana Beatrix Ramirez, also from Nelson, did well at last year's Open.
Southland's Gemma Buzzard has trekked north for a number of years to this tournament and is the current South Island Mixed Doubles Champion.
Junior Section
Harcourts Marlborough have been long time supporters of the Marlborough Open. This year they are sponsoring all 12 junior events!
Veteran Section
Wallace Diack have come on board this year to sponsor the Over 40's section of the Veteran events.
The other Veteran section is the Over 55's, sponsored this year by Robinson Construction.
C Grade Section
Motorworld have kindly sponsored the C Grade events.
Prize Section
Senior event winners will enjoy a lovely bottle of Marlborough wine thanks to Lawson's Dry Hills Wines of Marlborough.
Thank you to our sponsors for Marlborough biggest table tennis event of the year! Our sponsors are supporting a growing sport and enabling our young players get to other competitions around New Zealand.
Key Information
Where: 50 Battys Road, Blenheim
Please enter the stadium via side entrances.
When: Saturday 11 May 2024 and Sunday 12 May 2024
Programme:
Please arrive for your event 30 minutes before the start time.
Saturday
C Grade - 8:30am
Open - 2.00pm (progressive knockout)
Sunday
Under 15 - 8:00am (progressive knockout)
Over 55 - 8:30am
Over 40 - 12:00pm (progressive knockout)
Under 13 - 12:00pm
Under 19 - 2:00pm
Event Organiser:
Nathan Cross: 021 0827 1876
Regulations:
All matches to be played under the rules of Table Tennis New Zealand.
There will be round-robin singles and post-section play in most. No consolation events will be held. All singles matches shall be the best of 5 advantage games to 11. Open, Over 40, and Under 15 singles events will be Progressive Knockout. The Open singles top 4 playoffs will be best of 7 games.
The official 40mm white 3 star Donic plastic ball shall be used.
Players must not wear white clothing. Soft shoes with non marking soles must be worn.
Play will be continuous until the conclusion of the finals on the day.
Players must NOT leave the stadium. Players risk DEFAULT if they cannot be located when required.
Eligibility date for all Junior age groups is 31-12-2023 and for veteran events 31-12-2024.
Eligibility for C Grade Events: Players must not be in the top 100 men or top 50 Women on the latest New Zealand ratings.
If insufficient entries are received in any event, the Association reserves the right to cancel or combine events where necessary.
Players may enter up to two (2) events on each day (e.g. U13 events and U19 events but not U15 events).
A cafeteria supplying food and drink will be operating. STRICTLY NO BYO ALCOHOL.
The referee is to be named.