West Epping Park. The “second home” of almost all who enjoy outdoor activities in Epping and Carlingford, boasts a handsome multi-purpose astroturf oval housing three cricket nets, a cricket pitch and two football fields.
It also features a large playground, skate ramps, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, BBQ shelters, multiple car parks, a multi-purpose gym and most importantly — two outdoor table tennis tables.
“A sport for all.” Photo: Mahir Munot.
Every Sunday, a group of predominantly Indian migrant fathers take off their IT hats and bring out their table tennis racquets, and challenge one another to play 20-point doubles games until twilight.
Last year, table tennis as a sport registered a record-breaking 47 per cent increase in participation rates, but what could not be captured by the statistics was its role in increasing community integration and social participation.
The Sunday Squad founders. Photo: Mahir Munot.
Initially coming to the park to drop off their kids, founding members Devender Kumar and Sumit Gandhi tell Central News: “We decided to try something on our own too… all of us were in IT with no physical activity so we wanted to find something where we didn’t have to stretch our bodies too much”.
Consequently, ‘The Sunday Squad’ was officially formed in January this year.
The squad has continued to expand, and now numbers 31. Photo: Mahir Munot.
Now, the group has grown from a meagre four to a commendable 31, with ages ranging from 18-49, consisting of university students, business owners, gardeners, software developers and migrants from other parts of Asia.
“It’s not just Indians, we play with Pakistanis, Koreans, Chinese and a few ladies who play very well too,” says founding member Nagendra Shukla.
West Epping Park is a mecca for local sport and where the Sunday Squad play. Photo: Mahir Munot.
Initially starting with just four, lower-end Kmart table tennis racquets, most regular members now bring more than two, mid-to-high range racquets to use and share among the local community – alongside multiple table tennis balls.
Labelling it the group’s “latest experiment,” Devender Kumar now brings a green fluorescent ball which glows in the dark and allows games to extend well into twilight.
Table tennis has become a way of bonding. Photo: Mahir Munot.
“The best part is that we’ve reached a level that on any Sunday, you can come here and you will find four players,” says Shukla, as he welcomes a fresh face from Gujarat, India and officially the 31st member of the ‘Sunday Squad’.
Main image by Mahir Munot.
