On Thursday, 22 May 2025, Forestville Table Tennis opened more than just its doors — we opened our hearts.
At 7:30 PM, we paused all matches for a few minutes of something truly special. We welcomed three incredible guests into our community:
🎗️ Nenad Bach, founder of Ping Pong Parkinson — a global movement using table tennis as therapy for people with Parkinson’s.
🧠Helen Halford, a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner dedicated to making this initiative a reality in our local community.
đź‡đź‡· Ivica Glasnović, Consul General of Croatia, supporting the movement with heartfelt presence.
Together, they reminded us that table tennis is more than just a sport. It’s connection. It’s therapy. It’s hope.
Nenad and Helen shared how this simple game — with its rhythm, repetition, and reflex-building — can help slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Their message was clear: We all have a role to play in creating an inclusive and healing community.
After speaking, Nenad gave us a beautiful surprise — a moving musical performance on both guitar and piano, filling the hall with music and inspiration. He showed us not only the power of movement but the power of art and spirit, even in the face of physical challenges.
Other guests from the Parkinson’s project joined us too, mingling with players and sharing stories.
What This Means for Us
As a club, we often focus on the joy of the game, the thrill of competition, and the friendships we build. But nights like this remind us of something even deeper: We can also be a space for healing, inclusion, and support.
Thank you to everyone who paused, listened, and welcomed our guests with warmth and openness.
Let’s carry that same spirit into everything we do — on and off the table. 🏓❤️
Follow the project at pingpongparkinson.org and help spread the word to people you know. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Parkinson’s, dementia, or any other challenge we may face in life.
