Table tennis enthusiasts enjoy finding new and more challenging opponents to compete with. One place to go is your local table tennis club. Clubs can be found in many communities around the world. A search on the USATT website will point you in the right direction to a club near you. Most clubs have membership dues to help cover general expenses such as construction costs, staff and administration costs, etc. Some clubs are open to members only, while others are open to the public. Some require annual membership fees and some charge per activity.
It is important to decide which features are most important to you before joining a club. Do you want a club that is open to everyone or one that is a members-only facility? Are you looking for a place for a fun game or do you want a club that has an employee who organizes matches between players of comparable ability? Do you want a professional coaching staff or a club for casual players? The type of club that best suits your neighbor may not be the club that best meets your needs and expectations. It’s always a good idea to research club options before signing up as a member. Most clubs will allow you to visit them as a guest so that you can decide whether or not the club is compatible with your table tennis life. If you can’t find a club that meets your needs, consider starting a new one.
Most clubs provide a variety of training opportunities. Clubs often hire experienced players to teach lessons or run clinics at the club. Talented players who are interested in becoming coaches can train and become certified coaches at clubs that offer these services. Several clubs use robots for independent training sessions. Coaches and trainers can also use robots to repeatedly serve the ball accurately over and over again so they can instruct the player on the best way to respond. Robot training sessions can last half an hour or a full hour. Fees can range from a few dollars up to $15 per session. Members may receive discounted rates.
Small clubs with no significant sponsorship or contributors may have minimal space and equipment. Often it is the desire of these clubs to remain small and intimate, but other times this is simply a starting point for newly formed clubs. Some clubs meet in area schools and community centers, while others are in permanent structures. Clubs that meet in schools or community centers may only meet once or twice a week with limited activity hours, such as outdoor games or group lessons. Clubs that are located in a dedicated space and equipped with professional equipment are more likely to offer open games, private and group lessons, clinics, robot training sessions, and league play on a weekly basis.
Membership fees for clubs will vary based on location, type of club, and services offered. Annual fees range from $50 to $500 per adult. Membership fees for junior and senior players are usually reduced. In addition to an annual fee, members can be expected to pay additional fees for robot training sessions, private or group training, clinics, tournaments, and league play.
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