Empire Table Tennis Club began in 1930 as a cricket club formed by Petone teenagers, and it took its name from the sugar bags they used to carry their gear. In 1934 the group affiliated with Hutt Valley Table Tennis and the table tennis club was born. Its purpose-built stadium at Hikoikoi Reserve on Marine Parade in Petone has 16 tables permanently set up, can take more if needed, and is available for hire. The first stadium went up in 1962, with extensions in 1970 and 2008.
The club has more than 200 members and runs sessions for all levels, including beginners. A Monday night club draws doubles and singles games from 6.30pm to 10pm, and a qualified coach runs free sessions that night. Midweek social play runs on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and there is a Friday night junior session from 6.30pm to 9pm. A Sunday morning open session runs from 9.30am to 12.30pm, from social to competitive play. Members have won 113 New Zealand Open titles and 83 New Zealand Veterans titles. Enquiries and stadium bookings go to info@empirett.org.nz.