Table tennis enthusiasts enjoy finding new and more challenging opponents to compete against. One place to turn is their local table tennis club. Clubs can be found in many communities around the globe. A search on the USATT Vclubshop website will point you in the right direction to a club near you. Most clubs have membership fees to help cover overhead such as building costs, staffing and administration costs, etc. Some clubs are open to members only while others are open to the public. Some require annual membership fees and some charge per activity.
It is important to decide which features matter most to you before joining a club. Do you want a club that is open to everyone or one that is a member only facility? Are you looking for a place for a fun pick-up game or do you want a club that is staffed with an employee who arranges matches between players with comparable skills? Do you want a professional coaching staff or a club for casual players? The type of club that is the best fit for your neighbor may not be the club that best meets your needs and expectations. It is always a good idea to research club options before signing up for a membership. Most clubs will permit you to visit as a guest so that you can decide whether or not the club is compatible with your table tennis life. If you do not find a club that meets your needs, consider starting a new one.
Most clubs provide a variety of training opportunities. Vclubshop Often, clubs hire experienced players to teach lessons or hold clinics at the club. Talented players who are interested in becoming coaches can train and become certified coaches at clubs offering these services. A number of clubs utilize robots for independent training sessions. Coaches and trainers might also use robots to repeatedly serve the ball in an exact way over and over again so that they can instruct the player on the best way to respond. Robot training sessions may run a half hour or full hour. Fees can range from a few dollars to $15 per session. Members may receive discounted rates.
Small clubs without major Vclubshop sponsorship or contributors may have minimal space and equipment. Often, it is the desire of these clubs to remain small and intimate but other times this is simply a starting point for newly formed clubs. Some clubs meet at area schools and community centers while others are housed in permanent structures. Clubs that meet at schools or community centers may only meet once or twice a week with a schedule of limited activities such as open play or group lessons. Clubs that are located in a dedicated space and outfitted with professional equipment are more likely to offer open play, private and group lessons, clinics, robot training sessions, and league play on a weekly basis.
Membership fees for clubs will vary depending upon , type of club, and services offered. Annual fees range from $50 to $500 per adult. Membership fees for junior and senior players are usually reduced. In addition to an annual fee, members may be expected to pay additional fees for robot training sessions, private or group coaching, clinics, tournaments and league play.