Many of you know him already, but we are pleased to announce Yugandh Zende has recdently joined TTV as our new HP and Competetions Coordinator. He has already started off brilliantly, helping to run TTV's new Lightning League to close out 2021. We are excited to work with him throughout 2022. Read below to get to know Yug a little better.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself: -

I am a post-graduate student studying Sports Management from Deakin University as well as I am a national level table tennis player representing the Victorian State Team for the year 2021. I also am a Table Tennis Australia Level 1 accredited Coach. I have worked with renowned Prahran Cricket Club as one of their Team Managers for the 2020-21 season. I have also worked in one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world i.e. The Australian Open. I came to Australia in February 2020 just before the lockdown started. As soon as I reached Melbourne, I visited the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre and registered for the TTV Premier League. This is where I got motivated and inspired to work with Table Tennis Victoria being a sports management student aspiring to work in this country’s amazing sports fraternity.

2. What brought you to TTV? -

Being a professional Table Tennis player and coach, I always wanted to be involved with the sport in any and every way possible. As I started to learn more and more about the sports industry from my professors, I understood that I need work experience to find a good job. That is when I approached Table Tennis Victoria if they can give me an internship with them as I have been participating in a lot of state tournaments and pennants in and around Victoria. Table Tennis Victoria is the best place for me to work because I get to do what I love which is work for the sport of Table Tennis.

3. What are your goals for your time at TTV? –

My aim is to restart the Tuesday night competitions back at MSAC which will be called as TTV Lightning League now onwards and make it a sustainable event for seasons to come. I also want to start a fun and social format for garage players and beginners known as Ping Pong Rush which will give them a platform to socialise and have a hit altogether. And I also want to streamline the High-Performance Program conducted by TTV by engaging more and more participation for young and budding talent in the state.

4. What do you think you are going to find rewarding and challenging about your new role with TTV? –

One of the most rewarding aspects about my role with TTV is that I will be doing what I always wanted to do since the moment I decided to make my career in sport i.e. work in the Operations side of the sporting events. Getting to know all the Premier League players will be rewarding as well as challenging as I look forward to manage the Premier League and other competitions smoothly.

5. What would you say to the TTV members and Premier League players during this time? -

I would want to tell all the members and players to get ready for some amazing events which are being planned to engage more and more participation after being stuck in lockdown for almost 2 years on and off. I also would like to invite all social and casual players to join the new Ping Pong Rush which will begin next year. I would also invite all the Premier League and junior players to register for next year’s Premier League as well as High Performance program. Cheers!