AUSTRALIA—Approximately 75 members of the Sydney congregation had their first table tennis tournament on the evening of August 15 at Eschol Park School.

Several members already owned table tennis tables, helping event organizer and member Andy Klusenberg sort out the logistics.

Squeals of excitement sounded through the room as teammates, from kindergartners to grandparents, high-fived each other after a successful play or laughed when the ping pong ball accidentally flew across the room.

“It was really enjoyable and the thought occurred to us that it would make a good social activity,” Local Elder Colin Hercus said. “Everyone can play table tennis—young and old—so [it] gets the whole family and congregation involved.”

Couples, parents, children, siblings and friends formed 28 teams of mixed doubles for the competition. Teams played three games against randomly selected opponents for the first round of competition, taking turns playing on one of the six tables. Teammates were required to take alternating hits to level out the teams and encourage teamwork, according to Mr. Hercus.

“It was tricky remembering to take turns hitting the ball, and sometimes, even remembering it was my turn to hit the ball as it was heading to my husband,” said member Nicky Whiting. “We definitely need more practice before the next tournament!”

Mr. Hercus kept track of the scores on a score sheet that was projected onto a screen, so teams could see how they ranked as the night went on. The top eight teams were selected to go into the knockout round.

Jeremy and Rachel Kilpatrick played Andy Klusenberg and his teenage niece Mikayla Klusenberg for the grand final. The winning prize, a bottle of wine, was rewarded to the Klusenbergs, and the runner-ups received chocolate.

“I thought the event was really fantastic, with a feeling of light-hearted competition and fun. Everyone joined in with huge smiles on their faces, playing or supporting the other players,” Whiting said. “I can see this becoming an annual tradition for the Sydney congregation.”

Mr. Hercus said he received a lot of positive feedback regarding the event and plans on making it an annual event, joking that he was sure there are “some scores that need to be settled between some teams.”