WI To Host Table Tennis National Championships

The Waukesha & Pewaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau (WPCVB) in conjunction with the local Host Organizing Committee have won the bid to host the 2010 National College Table Tennis Association's (NCTTA) National Championships. Center Court Sports Complex will serve as the competition venue April 9-11, 2010. Linda Leaf, President of the Shorewood Table Tennis Club, will serve as the Host Committee Chairperson. Linda played a key role in bringing the 2008 Badger Open table tennis tournament to Waukesha and the event is returning this fall.

The NCTTA Championships will include three days of competition for males and females competing for singles, doubles and team titles with over 250 athletes from 30 colleges and universities nationwide. "On behalf of the NCTTA we are excited to be able to have the 2010 Championships in Wisconsin for the first time in College Table Tennis History." said Willy Leparulo, President of NCTTA.

A successful event of this scale requires an ongoing partnership from the hotel accommodations, sponsors and volunteers. WPCVB staff will assist with maximizing these partnerships. The Milwaukee Marriott West will serve as the host hotel, tournament staff headquarters, and will be the site of the annual awards banquet on Saturday, April 10.

Linda Leaf has served the table tennis community for many years and is on the national Board of Directors for USA Table Tennis (USATT). She frequently assists with table tennis events and meetings around the country, including the recent 2009 NCTTA Championships held in Rochester, MN. Linda says: "Table tennis is the largest participatory sport in the world. And, college table tennis is growing every year. The Wisconsin table tennis community is excited about the NCTTA National Championships coming to Wisconsin. The level of play at the National Championships is inspiring. I want to thank the Waukesha & Pewaukee CVB for their contribution in bringing this event. And, if you occasionally enjoy hitting that little orange or white ball, you shouldn't miss this tournament!"

This is the first national sporting event bid submitted by the Waukesha & Pewaukee CVB. With state and regional sporting events hosted much more commonly, the CVB recognizes these events generate increased interest and awareness, allowing greater opportunity for the community to pursue more prominent, national events. "We are proud to be awarded this bid, our first national bid, competing against established sports destinations like Grand Rapids, MI and New Haven, CT. With the continued support of local sports teams and clubs, we look forward to bringing more national events into our communities" said Matthew Olson, Sports Sales Manager at the Waukesha & Pewaukee CVB.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau is dedicated to the promotion of Waukesha & Pewaukee, WI, as a business and leisure destination. The allure of the area has been publicized by being chosen to host ABC's Good Morning America, named "Best Affordable Suburb" in the US - Business Week and named America's 8th "Best Place to Raise a Family" - Forbes Magazine. Additional community information can be found at www.visitwaukesha.org.