An inclusive table tennis program run by the Tonga Table Tennis Federation has expanded to Tonga’s outer islands for the first time, with outreach activities held in Haʻapai and Vavaʻu, recently.
The outreach was carried out under the Smash Down Barriers program, which uses table tennis as a tool to promote confidence, inclusion and community participation, particularly for young people and people living with disabilities.
A development officer travelled by local ferry to the two island groups, delivering full table tennis tables that were sent to each island to support the continuation of the program. The other development officer and organizers followed shortly after to offer the program.
The program uses sport as a platform to help young people build self-belief while also promoting awareness and understanding of disability within schools and communities.
This is the first time the program has been delivered outside Tongatapu.
In Vavaʻu, sessions were held at two high schools and two primary schools, with more than 630 students participating throughout the 3 days.
In Haʻapai, outreach activities were led by Laipeli Ulavalu, a development officer for the Tonga Table Tennis Federation based on the island. Ulavalu said he was delighted to see the table tennis table arrive for local children to use.
The team also held meetings with schools and community centres to gather feedback on the program. Discussions focused on what participants enjoyed most, what aspects could be improved, and where the Smash Down Barriers initiative could expand in the future.
Both island visits concluded with friendly competitions on the final day.
One table was installed at FWC Penitani, while another was placed at the Vavaʻu Public Library and Community Centre.
Both community partners have agreed to make the tables available for young people to use during afternoons and weekends, allowing children and community members to continue learning and playing the sport.
Program facilitators say the aim of Smash Down Barriers is to show that everyone belongs in their community and that individual differences should be recognised as strengths.
Organisers described the outreach as a success and thanked schools and community partners in Haʻapai and Vavaʻu for their support. They hope the initiative will continue expanding to reach more communities across Tonga.
Each year the program reaches around 50 schools across Tongatapu, as well as between five and ten disability centres, delivering inclusive table tennis sessions and community discussions focused on confidence, acceptance and respect for differences.
