The Oceania Championships were held in Whangerei New Zealand. An equalling record number of 10 countries participated; Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Tonga Tuvalu and Vanuatu are all competing. It is an important event for Oceania as the winners of the men and women will qualify for the World Cup. As well the winners of the Under 18 team events will qualify for the World Junior Championships.

OTTF also held its bi-annual training camp and it was again an outstanding success with in excess of 50 participants. Participants came from: Cook Islands, New Zealand, Fiji, Tuvalu, Tahiti, Kiribati, New Caledonia and Kiribati. With coaching from Jan Berner (Sweden) – Australia’s national coach, Raoul Rainourd – New Caledonia’s National Coach and South Pacific legend, Daryl Lew – New Zealand Coach and Steve Dainton – Oceania Development Officer the players were able to not only learn a lot but also received a good preparation before the major competition in our region began.

It has been an amazing experience for one of ITTF’s newest members, the Cook Islands, competing in its first ever regional competition and training camp. They have gained very valuable knowledge and will continue to do so from now on. Australia and New Zealand did dominate once again but there is a real feeling now that some of the countries from the South Pacific have closed the gap. With most South Pacific countries fielding very young teams the future is bright.

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In front of a large crowd at the ASB Sports Centre in Whangerei New Zealand the open team’s event were completed. The first big surprise was in the Women’s team event when Miao Miao (World Ranked 81) of Australia defeated Commonwealth Games champion Li Chun Li (World Ranked 43) of New Zealand. Importantly New Zealand had taken the risk and put their 2^nd best player to play at number 3, Karen Li, with a weaker 3^rd player they needed Li Chun Li needed to win both matches if New Zealand were to win. History shows that she didn’t, she eventually went on to also lose to Jiang Fang Lay in the 4^th rubber and Australia went on to take out the Women’s event comfortably, eventually winning 3-1.

The men’s event went right down to the wire. Aaron Li fought back from 2 sets down to take the first match 3-2 for New Zealand. Australia’s Russell Lavale then levelled the score at 1 all against Shane Laugesen. In the all important third rubber New Zealand’s Andrew Hubbard won a very close and tense match over Brett Clarke to take an all important 2-1 lead. Having many match points against him Hubbard finally won the 5^th set 15 – 13 to the delight of the home town crowd. Henzell in the 4^th rubber won comfortably over Laugesen which set the scene for a very exciting final match. A repeat of the last Oceania singles final between Lavale and Li. However it was sweet revenge for Li winning in a tight but eventually comfortable match to take the championship for New Zealand 3-2. The bronze medals were won by New Caledonia in the men and Vanuatu in the Women, a repeat of the gold medallists from last years South Pacific games

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Oceania Championships
U/18 New Zealand and Australia dominate.

In the race for qualification for the World Junior Championships Australia and New Zealand went through their respective groups undefeated and without losing any matches in the Under 18 team events. In fact in both boys and girls Australia and New Zealand have not dropped a match. In previous Oceania Championships this would be unsurprising, however here in Whangerei there has been a noticeable improvement in the South Pacific teams. Due to that improvement Australia and New Zealand for the first time have had to work quite hard to achieve an undefeated record.

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