2012 NZ Hopes Event

What a great tournament!!!  There were 41 participants.  All went home happy, with certificates and spot prizes and a memorable experience from New Zealand's first Hopes and Cadets Event.  Well done to Shane Warbrooke and Paul Jackson and their helpers.

It was an amazing finish in some groups with close countbacks required to determine the winners.

Final placings were as follows:

Cadet Boys

Gold: Dean Shu (A)

Silver: Victor Ma (A)

Bronze: Roger Wang (A)

Cadet Girls

Gold: Ruofei Rao (A)

Silver: Nai Xin Jiang (A)

Bronze: Veronica Li (NH)

Hopes Boys

Gold: Yang Lun Zhao (WK)

Silver: Alexander Zhou (C)

Bronze: Kevin Lin (A)

Hopes Girls

Gold: Zhiying Cheng (A)

Silver: Zoe Ngo (A)

Bronze: Hui-Ling Vong (W)

Novice Boys

Gold: Jason Sivilay (A)

Silver: Nathan Xu (O)

Novice Girls

Gold: Kelly Wu (A)

Silver: Cathy Ning (A)

TTNZ and ATTA Hotspot are proud to support the ITTF Hopes initiative, by providing a ranking competition for our under-15 prospects on Sunday March 25th at Gillies Avenue.

The competition will be divided into a Cadets section, for those born 1997 to 1999, and a Hopes section, for those born 2000 and 2001.  There is a separate Novices section for those born more recently, although they may compete within the Hopes section groups on the day.

Players will be organised into groups for the first phase, and will then play off for individual rankings within their category in post-section play.  It is an excellent chance for players to benchmark themselves against their peers from across the country, and gain some rating points.

The ITTF Hopes plan for 2012 can be viewed via the prospectus on their website.  There are opportunities available for our best boy and best girl, born 2000 or 2001, to participate in.  But, there will be a substantial financial commitment required for anyone given this opportunity.

The goal is for National Bodies to develop proper talent identification and work at an early stage with talented individuals and their parents and coaches.

TTNZ will have representatives at the event who will give a brief outline of the opportunities available to rising talent, and be available to answer questions.

This is also a superb opportunity for great match-play for those who have their sights set on the Under-15 events at the ITTF Global Junior Circuit event in Auckland in mid-April.  Final selections for this event are due on March 28th.

The North Harbour Junior Open takes place on the preceding day, Saturday 24th, allowing those that travel to have a great weekend of table tennis.

TTNZ Hopes to see you there!