ATTENTION: ARKTTA Open Since Monday, May 4, 2020 with Modified Operations
Please Note - Lessons Available by Video Chat: During our modified operations and schedule, I am available for individual and group lessons by video chat using apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom. If you have a favorite online video app, we can use whatever works best. To schedule a lesson, simply contact me by phone, text, or email: 501-291-3142, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please Help - We Need Your Help to Meet Our Monthly Expenses: Because ARKTTA has lost income since March due to cancelled memberships and loss of income from pay-as-you-go services, please consider making a donation to help us stay open. Any size donation is an investment in supporting table tennis in our community that is sincerely appreciated and will be used to pay our monthly rent and electricity and gas bills. ARKTTA receives 100% of your donation without any processing fees when you donate through our PayPal Giving Fund portal: http://paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/3690307. You may also make a donation in person or by mailing us a check or money order. Your donation is fully tax deductible.
Arkansas Table Tennis Academy
Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) & Arkansas Governor's Reopening of Indoor Athletic Facilities as of May 4, 2020
North Little Rock - May 3, 2020
Please visit the Center for Disease Control's website resource for Coronavirus (COVID-19) for details on how you can protect yourself and your loved ones: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. Arkansas goverbment also provides a dedicated COVID-19 website with many resources: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus.
Your Health and Safety Come First
Our highest concerns at the Arkansas Table Tennis Academy include the health and safety of our members and guests and providing a clean and sanitized environment in which we can have fun, interact with one another, and share the many benefits of the sport we love.
While it's important to stay physically active and mentally resilient during the current health care crisis affecting our community, minimizing exposure to and helping to limit the spread of the virus is our responsibility. Some of us either have serious health conditions which make getting sick even more dangerous, or we have frequent contact with those who do.
Limited Reopening on Monday, May 4, 2020
On Thursday, April 30, 2020, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) held an online press conference to announce plans to reopen gyms, fitness centers, and indoor athletic facilities. These business are allowed to resume operations only if they follow the directives set forth by the Governor and the ADH. This short video clip of one of the Governor's previous press conferences, he explained the criteria used in his decision to reopen businesses.
ARKTTA will reopen on Monday, May 4, 2020 with limited activities for current members only. We will take each day and week one at a time. Based on current events, we will update our website and inform our members with changes to our schedule and activities. Membership plans (Bronze, Silver and Gold) will be extended accordingly and members will have access to make-up lessons when we resume our regular schedule.
According to the directives referenced above, individuals who have any of the following characteristics will NOT be allowed to enter ARKTTA:
- Have returned from travel to NY, NJ, CT, New Orleans or overseas within the last 14 days
- Have had a fever of 100.4°F or greater in the last 2 days
- Have a cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell
- Had contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19 within the previous 14 days
- Have compromised immune systems and/or have chronic diseases
The directives also require ARKTTA to make hand sanitizer available throughout the facility. We have been doing this from the beginning but we have added extra hand sanitizer.
Requirements for Players in Attendance at ARKTTA
Everyone who comes to play will be required to follow these requirements:
- Sign an injury liability waiver
- Sign a COVID-19 screening acknowledgment verifying that they do not have any of the characteristics described above
- Verify current contact information for our COVID-19 tracing log. Should anyone get sick with the virus at our facility, we will turn this log over to the ADH and cooperate with them in every way possible
- When entering the building and at all times when not playing table tennis, individuals must wear a protective face covering (over the mouth and nose)
- Avoid personal contact at all times, including hand shaking
- At all times while inside the facility individuals must maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from other individuals
- When playing table tennis, both players are required to maintain 12 feet distance between each other (we have markings on the floor to designate 12 feet)
- No Doubles play is allowed
Precautions We Are Taking To Help You Stay Safe
- Providing multiple hand sanitizer pumps for those in attendance to use while in the facility.
- Using sanitizers approved by the EPA for combating the COVID-19 virus at regular intervals to disinfect most surfaces, including playing surfaces, other table tops, chairs, door handles, sink and toilet handles, and other items that are touched by those in attendance.
- Having on hand Lysol aerosol disinfectant spray to help reduce germs in the air.
- Installing a multi-fold paper towel dispenser to make it safer to dry your hands after washing with soap.
- Maintaining a humidity level that is recommended to reduce the spread of COVID-19. According to various medical sources, a humidity level of between 40-60% may be ideal. From the beginning we have been using a dehumidifier that runs nonstop to maintain a consistent humidity of around 50% in our facility. The ITTF also recommends 50-60% humidity for indoor facilities.
- Preventing use of microwave and water dispenser to reduce exposure to harmful germs.
- Setting limitations on the types of activities that take place during this period of limited operations.
Stay Safe and Contact Us If You Want to Play Table Tennis!
Finally, please take care of yourselves, stay active both physically and mentally, wear a covering over your mouth and nose when in public, and stay home as much as you can. If you are not a member and want to come out and play table tennis with us, please contact me by phone or email and I'd love to talk with you.
Mike Lauro
Coach/Director - ARKTTA
501-291-3142
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ARKTTA 2020 March 7-8 Junior Weekend - Tournament Report
Welcome to the tournament report for the ARKTTA 2020 March 7-8 Youth Weekend, a USATT 2-Star Sanctioned Tournament, at the Arkansas Table Tennis Academy.
Reflections on our March 7-8 tournament and current events:
As I write this tournament report at the end of March while relegated to my home in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I'm reminded of how special these tournaments can be. When we are able to gather together as a group in a competitive and friendly environment to share the sport of table tennis that we all love, it really is one of life's blessings. Shortly after this tournament, life as we have known it changed course. With so many people affected by this pandemic and requirements to avoid group activities, going forward has not been easy.
At the moment, we have no idea when our next group training will be, let alone when we'll be able to hold another tournament. Too many people around the world are dying during this pandemic and tens of thousands more are sick. But we are hopeful because many more are on the front lines fighting for our health. Hopefully there will be relief on the horizon and we will someday be able to take comfort in each other's presence again. In the meantime, we can count our blessings, practice safe and healthy habits, and help each other when possible. Working together toward a common goal to defeat COVID-19 gives us the best chance to overcome all of the challenges that the pandemic presents. Until next time, I wish all of you love, health, and happiness. Please take precautions, stay healthy, and be active.
As a tribute to the human spirit and the many bonds we share, I offer you this tournament report...may it bring a smile to your day. :)
Read more: ARKTTA 2020 March 7-8 Junior Weekend - Tournament Report
ATTENTION: ARKTTA Closed through Thursday, April 30, 2020
Please note - Lessons Available by Video Chat: While our facility is temporarily closed, I am available for lessons by video chat using apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, Zoom. If you have a favorite online video app, we can use whatever works best. To schedule a lesson, simplly contact me by phone, text, or email: 501-291-3142, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Arkansas Table Tennis Academy
Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
North Little Rock - March 31, 2020
Please visit the Center for Disease Control's website resource for Coronavirus (COVID-19) for details on how you can protect yourself and your loved ones: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Our highest concerns at the Arkansas Table Tennis Academy include the health and safety of our members and guests and providing an environment in which we can have fun, interact with one another, and share the many benefits of the sport we love.
While it's important to stay physically active and mentally resilient during the current health care crisis affecting our community, minimizing exposure to and helping to limit the spread of the virus is our responsibility. Some of us either have serious health conditions which make getting sick even more dangerous, or we have frequent contact with those who do.
From now through Thursday, April 30, 2020, all activity at the Arkansas Table Tennis Academy is suspended. We will continue to monitor the news and post updates when appropriate. Membership plans (Bronze, Silver and Gold) will be extended accordingly and members will have access to make-up lessons when we resume our regular schedule.
Read more: ATTENTION: ARKTTA Closed through Thursday, April 30, 2020
ARKTTA 2020 March 7-8 Junior Weekend
Welcome to the third USATT sanctioned tournament at the Arkansas Table Tennis Academy!
Our March 7-8, 2020 weekend tournament includes junior singles and doubles, open singles, rated singles and doubles, and hardbat singles and doubles. For more details, download the entry form or visit Omnipong.com (official tournament software of USA Table Tennis).
You can enter/register/pay at Omnipong using the link: Omnipong Registration for ARKTTA Mar 7-8 2020 Junior Weekend Tournament (you'll need to create an Omnipong account if you don't already have one...logging in will take you to the registration page for the tournament.)
Order your own ARKTTA T-Shirt today!
Update: The Shirts have shipped and should be here around March 4. I will have some extra Mediums, Larges, and XLs shirts for those who still want to pick one up.
We set up a group order form at Custom Ink so that everyone can get their own ARKTTA T-Shirt. You can select your own size, quantity and shipping options. If you have them shipped to the academy for free, the shirts cost less than $15 each (sizes 2XL and up have an extra cost).
The order form closes on February 16, 2010 for this round of t-shirts, so get your order in soon at the following link: Purchase my ARKTTA T-Shirt!
The t-shirts include a logo on the left front chest and the back:
ARKTTA 2020 January 18-19 Teams Weekend - Tournament Report
Welcome to the tournament report for the ARKTTA 2020 January U3200 Teams Weekend, a USATT 2-Star Sanctioned Tournament, at the Arkansas Table Tennis Academy.
Thank you to our local sponsors Edward Henkel, DVM & Mary Henkel, DVM of Stuttgart Animal Clinic in Stuttgart, Arkansas! They helped us cover the USATT sanction fee. Also, thank you to my parents, Mike & Cathy Lauro of Tampa, Florida for donations to cover Subway sandwiches for all competitors on both days.
Results and Scores are published online at our Omnipong Tournament Listing.
Results of Saturday Events
Under 3200 Teams
- Champions: Carlo Satierra (Pine Bluff) & Charlie Brooks (Sheridan)
- 2nd Place: Mike Lauro (Little Rock) & David Willard (North Little Rock)
- 3rd Place: Jason Piech (Rogers) & Kitt Oudthone (Ward)
- 4th Place: Alex Piech (Rogers) & Darius Ford (Little Rock)
Double Elimination (with Random Redraws after each stage)
- Champion: Mike Lauro
- 2nd Place: Carlo Satierra
JOOLA Mini Table Challenge Round Robin
- Champion: Mike Lauro
- 2nd Place: Jason Piech
Results of Sunday Events
Open Singles - Division 1 (Round Robin)
- Champion: Ricky Criado
- 2nd Place: Raj Coona
- 3rd Place: Shoujie Yang
Open Singles - Division 2 (Round Robin)
- Champion: Perry Smith
- 2nd Place: Darius Ford
- 3rd Place: Kitt Oudthone
Open Singles - Divison 3 (Playoff)
- Champion: David Willard
- 2nd Place: Tony Webb
Hardbat Singles
- Champion: Mike Lauro
- 2nd Place: Ricky Criado
Links to Media:
- Facebook Photo Album (group photos and results) at ARKTTA Facebook Page
- Google Photo Album - Saturday, January 18
- Google Photo Album - Sunday, January 19
