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CONTACT: Andy Kanengiser PHONE: (800) 581-6770 EMAIL: publicrelations@nctta.org |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April
4, 2013 Be
All You Can Be - Volunteer for the NCTTA One
Ex-College Student Plays a Vital Role for NCTTA Wanda Wong could have easily walked away from the
Olympic sport of table tennis after her playing days were over at the
University of Western Ontario. But at NCTTA headquarters, we are so fortunate that
Wanda chose to stay involved with her favorite athletic activity and boost
the sport at scores of colleges all over North America. Officially, Wanda is the human relations coordinator
for the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association, a non-paying job that’s
keeps her days busy, especially when the National Championships roll around
in April. The NCTTA oversees more than 160 college table tennis teams. A native of Ottawa, Ontario in Canada, Wanda lives,
eats and breathes table tennis when she’s not working in management at a
coffee shop in her hometown. Whether she’s pleasing customers with a good cup of
coffee or wearing several hats serving NCTTA, Wanda brings many skills to the
table. Her voice perks up when she talks about table tennis. “I am a people person. I love talking to people, meeting
people and bringing people together,’’ Wanda Wong says. “That’s what I do for
NCTTA. I recruit volunteers and I’m also the main contact for Canadian
schools that play in the league.’’ It doesn’t matter if the team is the University of
Western Ontario, the University of Ottawa, the University of Toronto or you
name the school, Wanda builds bridges between Canada and the USA. Her game may not nearly be what it was several years
ago when she was in college, but she’s much more valuable as a volunteer
coordinator. Volunteers are the lifeblood of NCTTA. “Playing in NCTTA in college has made me realize how
much I love the sport and the people that are involved,’’ says the Ottawa
resident. “This encouraged me to get involved, to make the experience
worthwhile for someone else as well.’’ Table tennis fans and players will see Wanda Wong
running all over the place in Rockford, Illinois in mid-April as she works
with NCTTA President Willy Leparulo and others to
make sure the April 12-14 National Championships run smoothly. Wanda will
come in early and stay late to make sure the three days in the Land of
Lincoln are a rewarding experience for all involved. “I love being part of NCTTA because it brings people
together,’’ Wanda says. “It amazes me that everyone can come together to play
some table tennis. Friends are reunited, new friends are made and everyone is
playing a sport that they love.’’ Table tennis players, fans, coaches, referees and
others in NCTTA ranks should thank Wanda Wong and others make a difference at
the national championships and the rest of the season. Whether it’s
ex-Columbia star Stephanie Shih stepping up as the NCTTA’s Jersey Shore
Division director, or Wanda Wong doing her thing as HR director, or coaches
like Fede Bassetti
organizing an impressive team at Northern Illinois University, there are
plenty of NCTTA people to thank for their service year-round. Wanda Wong loves the sport for other reasons – the way
it unites people from all walks of life. It doesn’t matter if they are
physicians, business people, lawyers, educators, truck drivers or folks behind
the scenes at restaurants, “It brings people from unexpected backgrounds
together,’’ Wanda says. “Anyone and everyone can enjoy the sport no matter
who they are, where they’re from and what they do.’’ Interested
in serving as a volunteer with NCTTA and staying active with the organization
once your college table tennis playing days are over? Opportunities are
unlimited. Contact Wanda Wong at wanda.wong@nctta.org About NCTTA The National Collegiate Table
Tennis Association (NCTTA) is a non-profit organization established
exclusively for promoting the sport of table tennis at the college level. As
the national governing body for college table tennis in the United States and
Canada, NCTTA organizes intercollegiate competition throughout North America.
www.nctta.org About USA Table
Tennis Headquartered in Colorado Springs,
USATT is the national organizing body for table tennis in the United States,
serving 9,000+ members and nearly 300 clubs. USATT sanctions 200+ events a
year including the US Open and US Nationals. USATT is affiliated with the
International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), as well as the United States
Olympic Committee (USOC). www.usatt.org
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