After two years of delays, the 70^th anniversary of Table Tennis Victoria’s Country Championships is finally taking place this weekend in Albert Park.

The Victorian Country Championships, nicknamed ‘Country Week’, is adored by Victorian Table Tennis players for the fun nature and team environment with the marquee event having some of the best and most-loved memories amongst TTV’s yearly tournaments.

The 2022 Victorian Country Championships will be held over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend from June 11-13 at MSAC in Albert Park with the 70^th anniversary celebration having had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021.

Country table tennis clubs and associations from across Victoria will be striving to bring home the perpetual shields and trophies. There will be teams from Albury and Ballarat to Bairnsdale, Leongatha, Wonthaggi and more entered in the three-day event with teams spread out over 12 grades. Players will also play in an Individual Tournament.

Teams for the Country Championships consist of 3 players with all players listed required to play in singles games of a team match to be eligible to play the individual tournament.

The team format will consist of nine singles and two doubles matches and all matches are the best of five games. The Individual Tournament will include a standard group and knockout stage format in a variety of events.

While the competition aspect is important and everyone wants to win the Shield, plenty of people will tell you the atmosphere is what they love most about Country Week.

One of those being Country Week legend Mark Smith from Ballarat Table Tennis Association who has three decades of experience and has won the “A Grade” team shield 12 times; such a feat that he’s had the Shield named after him.

“The best part about Country Week without a doubt is getting away with the Ballarat group, playing as a team, then catching up for a meal and a few ‘quiet’ drinks with everyone after the days play. It is something I always look forward too,” said Mark.

“Being able to catch up with people that I only see at Country Week each year from the other associations is a great highlight.”

TTV’s CEO Gen Dohrmann, just four months into her tenure at the organisation couldn’t be more excited about her first Country Championships.

“One thing that has struck me about Table Tennis is the strong sense of community so I can’t wait to experience everyone coming together for the Country Championships,” said Dohrmann.

“We are looking forward to having over 300 people through the doors at MSAC and will have table tennis products on display and some pop-up tables ready for people to have a hit.”

Dohrmann and Table Tennis Victoria staff and volunteers will be busy spreading their time over three venues with the 2022 Metro Championships taking place on the same weekend at the Greater Dandenong Table Tennis Centre and Kilsyth International Table Tennis Stadium.

Running in a similar format as the Country Championships, Metropolitan table tennis clubs and associations such as LOOPS, Coburg, Dandenong, Croydon and more will be competing as the defending champions look to defend their titles and hold on to the Shields.

For information on both Championships, including tournament information, team lists, draws and results, ladders and more please visit our website:

• • 2022 Vic Country Championships
  • 2022 Vic Metro Championships