Club Joola: Where table tennis reigns
At Club Joola, ping pong reigns. This isn't your parents' basement anymore. This is where the pros come to play this vicious game, and where others come to become pros. The private, full-time table tennis club in Rockville, Md., features several regulation tables in a well-lit gymnasium strewn with orange balls across its red floor, and is complete with pro shop selling Joola-brand shirts, paddles, equipment and even special shoes.
Joola is a German manufacturer of table tennis equipment and opened the club in the neighborhood known for its strong Chinese presence. One of its coaches, Amy Feng, is a former Olympian. The gym is a contrast to its other competitors, which are either municipalities who offer table tennis space or a club that is open only a few hours a day. Club Joola offers classes for various levels, including beginner, intermediate, advanced and senior training.
Table tennis, which is the proper and official name for the game (Ping-pong was trademarked by Parker Brothers) has recently experienced a rise in popularity in the United States. Membership at Club Joola has grown significantly since its inception in 2008. Memberships are $10/ a day, or $40 a month. Various benefits are given, from free club shirts to lessons and tournaments as well.
There's an after-work crowd of table tennis enthusiasts who come to battle it out during evenings, including some serious competitive players who come to train and practice. There's an after-school program for kids which includes table tennis, study hall and a cross-training session. Friday nights are league nights, where single players are assigned into groups by level.
On Sunday afternoons there's elite training and competition. Various tournaments are held at the club throughout the year, and are US Association of Table Tennis-sanctioned and follow the rules and restrictions set.
HelloMetro Tip: All players are welcome to sign up for a tournament and must be USATT members (membership can be purchased at the tournament).
Posted by Rin-rin Yu
