(by Steve Hopkins)

The 2024 rendition of the Rhode Island High School Team Table Tennis Championships is in the books, and Hendricken High School has been crowned champion.  Hendricken had a solid season, with a 14-1 regular season record and a 5-0 result in the end-of-season tournament.  The final day involved eight teams with Hendricken topping Lasalle Academy 2-1 in the Final.

For clubs looking to expand youth programs (or add some grassroots outreach in their area), the model used in Rhode Island may be worth a look.  Rhode Island Table Tennis has hosted a High School team event for a number of years.  This had often been in combination with inexpensive, unsanctioned singles events for kids.  Early on, sometimes there were only 2 or 3 teams that competed.

Over a number of years, however, the 3-person team format has caught on.  The club offers youth clinics in the Fall and uses those events as a marketing opportunity.  Players (and parents) are encouraged to go back to their schools and invite others to join a team.  At that same time, invitations are sent out to a number of schools.

This year, three events were offered.  These events have grown enough that they have filled three days just for team play (the club will host a separate USATT State Games event that will offer singles age events later this Spring).  Two of the team events were pitched as regional meets, and included teams from Massachusetts and Connecticut (as well as Rhode Island), and the third event was the RI State Team Championship that has been offered in past years.  The first event had 10 teams (representing three States).  The second event had 8 teams from RI and MA).  The third event was limited to only RI teams – and there were 8 teams (Hendricken High School, Lasalle Academy, Wheeler School, Classical High School, Pilgrim High School, Lincoln High School, Lincoln Middle School, Lincoln Elementary School).

Overall – through the three events, 15 schools were represented with a little over 40 different students participating.  Those participants were a mixture of seasoned players, and novice players.  Accompanying the student participants were parents and siblings.  The events were a lot of fun for everyone.  The events were also a nice change from the typical club look and feel – as the club was filled with young players (and many new faces).

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