Brendan & Taleisha Gaeta

Brendan & Taleisha Gaeta

Brendan Gaeta

• President of the Association.
• The Head Referee for all NQ Tournaments and also often for most State Tournaments.
• Organise with the support of the committee all tournaments and events held in Townsville.
• In-between table tennis I work as a full time solicitor and my wife and I have four children.
• Have competed at a local, state and national level previously.

Taleisha Gaeta

• Current under 13 State Champion
• Won every under 13 age event competed in throughout 2021.
• In 2021 didn’t finish lower than second in all age agents competed in, from under 21 down.
• In 2021 didn’t finish lower than the semi-final in every women’s open event competed in.

Awards:

• 2021 Queensland Table Tennis Queensland Junior Female Representative Player of the Year
• 2021 Townsville Table Tennis Open Representative Player of the Year
• 2021 Townsville Table Tennis Junior Representative Player of the Year
• 2021 Townsville Table Tennis Junior Volunteer of the Year
• 2021 QLD Junior Championships President’s Shield for best and fairest.
• About to go on the Australian Tour
• Currently ranked 5 in Australia.

What event will you be participating at the NQ Games?

B – I will be competing in the senior doubles, mixed open doubles, men’s open doubles, men’s open singles, over 30 men’s singles.

T – Taleisha will be competing in the junior doubles, mixed open doubles, women’s open doubles, women’s open singles, under 15 mixed singles and under 18 mixed singles.

Have you ever competed in an NQ Games before?

No.

How important is it for you to have local competition like this event?

B -Extremely important. Table tennis is an inclusive sport that can be played by people of all ages and abilities. The local table tennis club is very much family oriented and prides itself on being one of Australia’s leading associations.

What’s your best piece of advice for athletes in your sport?

B – Have fun!

Who has inspired you the most in your sport?

B – There are many people, but for me it is some past greats from the Townsville club
T – Taleisha is inspired by Melissa Tapper (the only person to represent Australia at both the Olympics and Paralympics in any sport) and Matilta Alexanderrson from Brisbane, the under 21 National Champion.

What part of North Queensland are you from?

B – I am originally from Brisbane, but now live in Townsville (and have for around 25 years).
T- Townsville

What’s your favourite thing to do in Townsville?

B – Play table tennis! Otherwise, enjoy natural areas, such as camping.
T – no answer

How did you start/get into this sport?

B – Back-yard playing and a friend convinced me to come down to the local club for a hit.
T – Taleisha came in for a hit with myself when she was 6 and loved it.

How long have you been playing/competing in this sport?

B – Around 10 years.
T – Taleisha has been playing since she was 6 (just turned 13).

What are your sporting career goals?

B – To win the gold in my age category at the state championships.
T – Taleisha’s is to represent Australia at the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane.

Are you competing in a few sports at the games?

B – No. We are running the Townsville Open Championships on the same weekend, so it will be an action-packed table tennis weekend for us.

The NQ games are a great event to meet and socialise with other athletes, have you made new friends through sport?

B – Yes. We will be supporting many sports over the weekend.