Ping Pong Parkinson's Nationals Continue to Grow as Community Comes Together
The 2026 Ping Pong Parkinson's New Zealand National Championships took place on 18 to 19 September in Palmerston North, bringing together players from across New Zealand for two days of competition, friendship and support.
What started with just 14 players at the first championships has grown into a thriving national community. This year's event attracted 35 players, up from 24 in 2025, with competitors travelling from Auckland, Waikato, Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wairarapa, Levin, Kapiti, Nelson and Dunedin.
Across the weekend, 99 matches were played as players tested their skills, renewed friendships and shared experiences.
Mark Young and Tim Roberts
For Ping Pong Parkinson's NZ founder Mark Young, the numbers tell only part of the story.
The movement began in 2023 because of his friendship with Kapiti local Tim Roberts, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age of 50. After discovering international research showing the benefits of table tennis for people living with Parkinson's, Mark encouraged Tim to give the sport a try. What followed was the launch of New Zealand's first Ping Pong Parkinson's group, which has since grown to 12 active groups and around 200 regular participants nationwide.
"Tim is really the inspiration for Ping Pong Parkinson's," said Mark. "The way he has reinvented himself as a poet, author and visual artist is just awesome."
Today, the annual championships have become much more than a sporting event. For many participants, it is a chance to reconnect with friends who understand the challenges of living with Parkinson's, exchange information and advice, and celebrate what they can achieve.
"The Nationals brings people together from the Parkinson's family around New Zealand," said Mark. "People make new friends, share ideas about things that help them, and it gives them something to work towards. I know players who have been practising hard because they want to compete and challenge themselves."
Higher Mobility Men's Singles
🥇 Brian Renwick (Nelson)
🥈 Glenn Wallis (Otago)
Among those players was Nelson's Brian Renwick, who claimed gold in the Higher Mobility Men's Singles and silver in the Higher Mobility Doubles. A veteran of all three championships, Brian has witnessed the growth of the event firsthand.
"It's great to see people having so much fun and challenging themselves," he said. "Everyone who turns up is a winner!"
Later this year, Brian will make history as the first New Zealander to compete at the ITTF World Parkinson's Table Tennis Championships in Shanghai, China.
For TTNZ Board Member and Canterbury Ping Pong Parkinson's co coach Helen Beumelburg, attending her first national championships was an eye opening experience.
"I was blown away by the players' love for table tennis, the camaraderie amongst the players and the number of family and friends who had come to support," she said. "Table tennis truly is a sport for all, for life."
As the medals were handed out and the final matches completed, the real success of the weekend could be seen around the venue, in the conversations, laughter and encouragement shared between players.
Three years on from the first championships, the Ping Pong Parkinson's community continues to grow, proving that table tennis can offer much more than competition. It creates connection, confidence and a sense of belonging for people living with Parkinson's across New Zealand.
Find a Ping Pong Parkinson's Group Near You
The growth of Ping Pong Parkinson's NZ has seen groups established across the country, helping around 200 participants stay active, social and connected through table tennis.
North Island
📍Whangarei
Contact: Rishabh Kumar
Email: coach@tabletennisnorthland.co.nz
Session: Tuesdays at 1:30pm (weekly)
Address: 97 Western Hills Drive, Whangarei
📍Auckland
Contact: Judy Peacock
Email: mjpeacock@xtra.co.nz
Session: Tuesdays at 12.15pm to 1.15pm (weekly, term time only)
Address: 99 Gillies Avenue, Epsom, Auckland 1023
📍Kapiti
Contact: Nicola Binns
Email: nicolajbinns@icloud.com
Session: Every Tuesday, 9am to 10am
Address: Waikanae Memorial Hall, Pehi Kupa Street, Waikanae 5036
📍Wairarapa
Contact: Peter Herbert
Email: inpartnership@hotmail.com
Session: Tuesdays at 12:00pm (weekly)
Address: Red Star, 10 Herbert Street, Masterton
📍Levin
Contact: Jill Yap
Email: tandjyap@xtra.co.nz
Session: Wednesdays at 10:00am (weekly)
Address: Levin Table Tennis Club, 87 Oxford Street, Levin
📍Palmerston North
Contact: Matt Ball / Carl Johnson
Email: mattb.tabletennis@gmail.com
Session: Fridays at 12:15pm (fortnightly)
Address: 66 Waldegrave Street, Palmerston North
📍Hutt Valley
Contact: Wayne Upjohn
Email: wayne.upjohn@gmail.com
Session: Fridays at 11am (weekly)
Address: Walter Nash Stadium in Taita, Lower Hutt
📍Whanganui
Contact: Jan Purvis
Email: purvisjan@hotmail.com
Session: 1st Monday of the month at 10:00am
Address: 228 London Street, Whanganui
South Island
📍Nelson
Contact: Anna King
Email:tabletennisnelson@outlook.com
Session: Fridays at 1:00pm (weekly, term time)
Address: Table Tennis Nelson, Saxton Stadium, 142 Saxton Road, Stoke
📍Christchurch
Contact: Helen Beumelburg
Email: helen.beumelburg@gmail.com
Session: Saturdays at 10:00am (weekly)
Address: Canterbury Table Tennis, 294 Blenheim Road, Upper Riccarton
📍Dunedin
Contact: Liz Franz
Email: franz.liz@gmail.com
Session: Fridays at 11:00am (weekly)
Address: 301 Vogel Steet, Dunedin
📍Invercargill
Contact: Wayne McEwan
Email:office@tabletennissouth.org.nz
Session: Fridays at 1:00pm (weekly)
Address: Lindisfarne Street, Invercargill