Council on the Ageing (Victoria)
cotavic@cotavic.org.au
Copyright 2006 Council on the Ageing
All rights reserved.
Change Text Size
Keen-Agers has put a new spin on an old favourite – table tennis – providing a friendly, relaxed environment for people over 50 to play (non-competitive) table tennis.
The focus is enjoyment and fun. It is not about competition, rules or regulations, and there are no teams or game schedules.
Typically, a group of around 20 people play, both women and men, aged from around 50 to their late 80s, with a range of physical and skill related abilities. Sessions typically run in the mornings, for about two hours. Most games are doubles, which is very social and lots of fun – with time-out for a courtside 'cuppa' and chat of course!
Table tennis is a fun game and it's easy to pick up. It's a great social sport. You will meet people of similar age with similar interests playing with Keen-Agers.
Most players play regularly, once or twice a week. The cost to participants is minimal and there is no expensive sports gear required.
It's fun! – It's a fun game played in a friendly environment.
Make new friends – Table tennis is a great social sport. You'll get to meet plenty of people of similar age with similar interests.
It's low cost – Game fees are low and no uniforms or expensive sports equipment is required.
Everyone can play – It's easy to play. And it's never too late to start.
It's easy on the body – You can play table tennis according to your own skills and ability.
You can play anytime – You don't have to worry about bad weather.
Health and fitness – Table tennis is good for your health. Players' benefit from aerobic, balance, flexibility and coordination elements, as well as exercising the mind!
Many players have experienced the benefits of joining a Keen-Agers Table Tennis club after surgery, illness or injury. Some rehabilitation programs and general practitioners encourage patients to join Keen-Agers, as it provides a safe and enjoyable setting to start low-intensity physical activity.
New players are always welcome.
Come on! – everyone has enjoyed a hit of table tennis some time during their life. Come and relive the fun!
Keen-Agers seems to have found a successful formula - mixing fun, enjoyment, physical activity and an opportunity to be with friends. There are now over 20 Keen-Agers clubs in Victoria.
Keen-Agers is a brand name given to a program of social, recreational table tennis tailored for older players developed by Keen-Agers Recreational Table Tennis Inc.
In 2007, COTA Victoria in cooperation with Keen-Agers Recreational Table Tennis Club Inc. (the Bairnsdale management group), and with funding from VicHealth, implemented a six-month COTA Keen-Agers Project. The aim of the project was to identify key factors that contribute to a popular and effective model of sport for seniors. The project conducted a formal evaluation of established Keen-Agers groups and set up a number of new Keen-Agers groups, drawing on some of the practices and features of established Keen-Agers groups.
For more information
Call Keen-Agers Recreational Table Tennis Inc.
Telephone: 03 5153 2123
Email: johngale@keenagers.org.au
For more information on Keen-Agers and club locations around Victoria visit www.keenagers.org.au
