Otago Men's Team 1976.
Martin Duffy, Gary Williams, Eric Chung & Grant Wilson

 

TTNZ is proud to announce that members at this year’s AGM have agreed to award Life Membership to Martin Duffy, recognising a lifetime of service, leadership and dedication to table tennis in New Zealand.

Martin has devoted most of his life to the sport, with a strong belief in the power of grassroots development and the role that national events play in building deep and lasting connections to table tennis. His commitment has shaped programmes, players and communities across the country for more than five decades.

A Significant Coaching Legacy

Martin’s international coaching career with TTNZ spanned an impressive eight years, representing New Zealand at junior and senior events across Australia, the Pacific, Asia and Europe. He served as coach at:

• Junior Australian Championships (Brisbane 1987; Perth 1988; McKay 1992; Canberra 1993; Geelong 1994)

• U19/U21 Australian Championships (Sydney 1990)

• New Caledonia Senior Invitationals (1989, 1991, 1993, 1995 – often as sole coach)

• Oceania Championships (Melbourne 1993; Tahiti 1994)

• Asian Senior Women’s Team – Tianjin, China (1994, sole coach)

• World Championships – Gothenburg, Sweden (1993)

• Malaysia Development Tour (1992)

• Multiple New Zealand junior trips to New Caledonia

Alongside these appointments, Martin contributed heavily to national senior and junior coaching camps across New Zealand and delivered school visits, promotional activities and coaching workshops.

National Leadership and Service

Martin served as a TTNZ National Selector from 1985 to 1996, and again from 2015 to 2018. His work required a strong presence at tournaments nationwide and a close connection with players and coaches.

He was also a TTNZ Board Member from 2013 to 2018, including time as Deputy Chairperson. During this period, he continued to support coaching development, particularly in South Canterbury.

Impact in Otago

Martin was first appointed Otago coach in 1980 and returned to coaching in the region in 2013. Since then, he has helped more than double local player participation and developed several juniors who have gone on to represent New Zealand. He has also been a head coach at the Southern Region junior camp for more than a decade.

His contribution remains enormous today.

“At 75, Martin remains the heartbeat of table tennis in Otago. He runs all of the squad trainings, provides free coaching every Sunday, oversees the schools competition, and manages Dunedin’s largest table tennis club. He often sets up and packs down the hall himself.

For the past 12 years, Martin has also led our toilet paper fundraiser, handling everything from collecting pallets to storage, distribution and payments. He’s the driving force behind our raffles too, sourcing prizes so our juniors can afford to attend national tournaments.

Martin’s commitment and passion have touched hundreds of players across New Zealand. His contribution is immense, and we truly believe he is a very deserving recipient of Life Membership.”
— Debs King-Newell, Otago Table Tennis Association, Treasurer

A Legacy That Reaches Across New Zealand

Martin’s service has touched hundreds of players, families and volunteers. His belief in opportunity, fairness and connection has helped build stronger pathways for young players and sustained long-term growth in his region.

TTNZ congratulates Martin on his Life Membership and thanks him for the contribution he has made to the sport. He has helped grow table tennis in meaningful ways, and his influence will continue to be seen throughout the sport.