In 2005, two Aquinnah residents, John Walsh and Craig "Spa" Tharpe, with permission from the Selectmen, set up a table tennis venue in the town hall. They borrowed two beat up tables and, relying on their construction skills, attacked the dimly lit meeting hall. They fitted several 20 foot long bamboo poles on ceiling support wires, hung power cords to lamps hung directly over the tables and invited the public to Aquinnah to play.
Naming the group, Quinnapong, the sessions quickly devolved into a family party event. Music was piped in and nursing mothers with babies came to watch and play. Dogs and toddlers scrambled under tables, all while competitors played.
The fun continued for three years until a town hall remodeling project left the loyal group of up-sland players homeless. A temporary venue was found in an Edgartown fitness center. The small low ceilinged room was suitable for just a single table. Interest waned, until gym space became available in the West Tisbury Elementary School. With the gym space reserved and funds raised, new and used tournament tables were purchased. The playing group quickly expanded, attracting men and women of all ages, including young players, from all of the island's towns. Nearly 90 players cycled in and out of competition during five years of play in West Tisbury.
When the YMCA of Martha's Vineyard opened in 2010, a new playing venue opened on weekends and in the summer.
The core group of regular players formed the Martha's Vineyard Table Tennis Club, and became a sanctioned club member of USA Table Tennis in 2013. Officers were elected and annual dues established for membership in MVTTC. Later that year, the club moved to the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.
In 2015, MVTTC expanded its role in the community by hosting a teen table tennis program at the YMCA and established a high school table tennis club at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.
Naming the group, Quinnapong, the sessions quickly devolved into a family party event. Music was piped in and nursing mothers with babies came to watch and play. Dogs and toddlers scrambled under tables, all while competitors played.
The fun continued for three years until a town hall remodeling project left the loyal group of up-sland players homeless. A temporary venue was found in an Edgartown fitness center. The small low ceilinged room was suitable for just a single table. Interest waned, until gym space became available in the West Tisbury Elementary School. With the gym space reserved and funds raised, new and used tournament tables were purchased. The playing group quickly expanded, attracting men and women of all ages, including young players, from all of the island's towns. Nearly 90 players cycled in and out of competition during five years of play in West Tisbury.
When the YMCA of Martha's Vineyard opened in 2010, a new playing venue opened on weekends and in the summer.
The core group of regular players formed the Martha's Vineyard Table Tennis Club, and became a sanctioned club member of USA Table Tennis in 2013. Officers were elected and annual dues established for membership in MVTTC. Later that year, the club moved to the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.
In 2015, MVTTC expanded its role in the community by hosting a teen table tennis program at the YMCA and established a high school table tennis club at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.