Everyone loves competing, winning medals and being involved in a sporting event, but without the amazing people behind the scenes these sporting events, tournaments and pennants would not be possible.

Table Tennis Victoria’s ‘Unsung Heroes’ are our volunteers, coaches, parents and anyone who goes above and beyond to help make table tennis a great sport and deserves a bit of extra recognition for their brilliant work.

In this edition we had a chat to Marguerite O’Bryan or as most people would know her, Daisy. Her love for the sport and the Melbourne Veterans Table Tennis Association is obvious to anyone that meets her.

She has had an extremely diverse number of roles when it comes to volunteering over the years ranging from, committee member of clubs and sub-committees, member of TTV State Selection and Disciplinary panels, Non-Playing Captain at Junior Nationals, Team Manager at Veterans Nationals, umpiring and coaching all the WITT to establishing social table tennis opportunities, set-up / pack-up / clean-up, handing out balls and scoreboards and making cups of coffee.

Daisy started out playing table tennis in the 1970’s in a university basement called “The Cellar”.

“In the early seventies at Monash University, during a very wet winter, I decided that I needed an indoor sport to play,” Daisy explained.

“I sussed out university clubs - table tennis, badminton and squash. I chose table tennis because the members were most welcoming.

“I learnt to play in “The Cellar”, a convenient university basement. The area was equipped with billiard and table tennis tables. TT club members gathered nearly every lunchtime to belt the ball backwards and forwards despite the accompanying noise of crowded billiards games nearby.”

It was in this Monash University basement that Daisy’s joy for the sport started and she began playing for Monash on Wednesday nights at Albert Park.

“I played for Monash on Wednesday nights at Albert Park, starting at grade E12. My team, Chris, Greg and Marguerite won heaps of pennants over several years to reach B6. We also made it to A grade in the South Eastern competition. This era of table tennis lasted about six years, then I moved to the country to live.” She said.

After leaving the sport for a few decades, Daisy was drawn back in by a quick table tennis competition at work.

“There was an in-house table tennis competition at the school where Viv Halocha and I both worked, it reminded me of how much I liked playing. That is when I sought out some coaching and competition with the Friday night Vets,” Said Daisy.

“During one school holidays I had a private lesson with Mark Smythe. He asked me how serious I was about playing. I replied, “Let’s say I am.” “OK”, he said, “You are holding the bat wrong.” Thus, began the minute deconstruction of bad habits homed in The Cellar, and a reconstruction of better techniques and attitude. I was a slow learner.

“My achievements are limited - a Bronze medal O/60 Women’s Team event at Vets Nationals in Darwin and making the main draw at the 2012 World Veterans Championships in Sweden.”

Despite Daisy thinking her achievements are limited she has definitely had a positive impact on the sport and at Table Tennis Victoria. She has also managed to play in a few places around the world.

“I love playing table tennis because the game can be played and enjoyed at any level and almost anywhere. In addition, table tennis is a great activity with physical, mental, and social benefits,” She said.

“I have played in Leicester Square London, and at the Ericsson Globe Stockholm, TT clubs in Denmark, the University of Papua New Guinea, on cruise ships, and all over Australia at resorts, stadiums, universities and schools, clubs and pubs, halls, parks, backyards all the way to garages riddled with cobwebs and red-back spiders.”

Playing the game is wonderful but something Daisy does so well is volunteering her time to help the sport and others whenever she can.

“Being a volunteer provides a sense of purpose and completeness found in working with and for like-minded people. The competitive focus expands to include an understanding of the table tennis community as a whole,” Daisy explained.  

“Instead of being just a consumer of table tennis, you become a provider of table tennis. A team of volunteers, together with a little, sometimes much, time and energy can contribute in small or large ways to sustain and grow an enjoyable sport.

“Volunteering provides opportunities to watch and learn about the game and meet wonderful people. I met the ITTF President in Bendigo. He was super charming and sophisticated. I was rendered speechless when he thanked me and thanked me for volunteering while his penetrating blue eyes bore into my soul.”

It is the amazing work she has done with the Melbourne Veterans Table Tennis Association that stands out when you think of Daisy’s work over the years.

“My favourite part of MVTTA is being a member of a great community. The TTV Veterans sub-committee, especially Pam, Nick, Lois and Joan, fostered an exemplary playing culture at Albert Park on Friday nights,” She said.

“These people have grown and maintained the sport of Table Tennis at Albert Park, long enough at least, that I could have a second shot at the game.

“MVTTA committee has endeavoured to continue and then expand their effort. We have recently added daytime social competition, successfully targeting women and by the laws of nature randomly collecting a few blokes along the way. Being part of a team that enhances table tennis for all these people is very pleasant, worthwhile and extremely satisfying.”

With MSAC being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MVTTA has struggled a bit, but it isn’t all bad as Daisy explained.

“The pandemic has exacerbated the problem but is has also provided breathing space for TTV and MVTTA to hatch a new plan for the club. The plan includes a return to play, but also the provision of an ongoing table tennis environment that caters for the training, social and competitive needs of our current and future members in a COVID-normal way, of course”

Everyone at TTV is unbelievably grateful to Daisy and all the wonderful people in our sport just like her and cannot wait to see everyone back on the tables.

If you know anyone that would make a great Unsung Hero please email Jason at mmo@tabletennisvic.org.au.