Butterfly Leagues Talking Points
August 5, 2008

By Mitchell Seidenfeld As part of our effort to promote the development of Community Leagues, we believe that it is important to provide as much information as possible to potential league directors. We hope these talking points will give you confidence to go out and find new playing locations, recruit and retain recreational players, and make leagues a catalyst for the growth of our sport.

1. The 2007 SGMA (Sporting Goods Manufacturer’s Association) Sports and Fitness Participation Report shows that table tennis has approximately 4,594,000 Core Participants in the United States. These 4,594,000 Core Participants come from two distinct groups. There are 3,049,000 Frequent Participants (people who play 25 or more times each year) and 1,545,000 Regular Participants (people who play 13-24 times each year). That makes about 60,000 people in each state that play table tennis 25 or more times each year. Of course, the population of each state varies and so will the number of Frequent Participants within each state.

2. There is a huge disparity between the number of Frequent Participants (3,049,000) and the number of official USATT members (approximately 7,500). This disparity suggests that there are both tremendous challenges and opportunities for U.S. table tennis.

3. At Butterfly Leagues we believe that the biggest problem with U.S. table tennis is that not enough programs exist to ease the path or bridge the gap for novice, recreational players to enter into organized table tennis. Our current club system is inadequate because most clubs do not provide programs that are focused on the novice, recreational player. Most USATT affiliated clubs require that new players participate with experienced, advanced-level players. These new players have no chance for initial success and do not feel wanted or accepted. Their initial experience at a club is almost always frustrating and embarrassing. As a result, they do not have fun and do not continue to participate in organized table tennis.

4. Organizing a Community League is one solution to this problem. Community Leagues are the best way for recreational players to get involved in organized table tennis. They can join a league that is close to their home or workplace and compete against players of similar playing level. They can have fun, stay fit, and make new friends while doing something that they love to do. The unique point-handicap system gives everyone a chance to win. And while most of us do not have the skills to compete on an international level, many of us do have the skills to organize a Community League.

5. Table Tennis is an extremely popular sport world-wide. It is included in nearly every multi-sport event: the Olympics; the Paralympics; the Special Olympics; the Junior Olympics; the Senior Olympics; the World Masters Games; the World Deaf Games; the World Transplant Games; the Pan American Games; the Pan Asian Games; the World University Games; and the World Corporate Games. Table Tennis is so popular around the world that, in 1988, it was added to the Olympic schedule as a full-medal sport. At the same Olympics, baseball was included as an exhibition sport.

6. Table Tennis is a sport that everyone can enjoy! Kids of all ages love to play. Adults can participate right along with their children instead of just cheering from the sidelines.  Retired adults and working seniors receive all the health benefits that come from staying active and fit. People with disabilities can compete with able-bodied athletes and in prestigious events against athletes within the same disability classification. It doesn’t matter if you are four feet tall or if you weigh more than four hundred pounds, you can still have fun and be competitive.

7. Table Tennis is inexpensive to play and leagues are inexpensive to organize. Partner with a school, recreation center, or church. Discover a location with pre-existing tables, purchase new equipment, or ask people to donate used equipment. All it takes is four tables, four net sets, some cardboard barriers, and some balls and the stage is set for a great Community League.

We are interested to know your thoughts about organizing table tennis programs in your area.