Table Tennis Scotland in partnership with British Para Table Tennis and assisted by the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) National Association assistance programme and UK Sport International Relations funding hosted a Para training Camp and Coaches conference at Sport Scotland’s National Sport Centre Inverclyde Largs from Friday 13th – Sunday 15th October. This was designed as part of the Legacy Programme from European Para Championships 23 in Sheffield. Delegations from Scotland England Wales Ireland Italy Norway Belgium Greece and Hong Kong all working together.
There was also a Scottish Pathway Squad training session taking place with over 30 youngsters taking part. A total of 120 players coaches and officials were involved over the weekend.
Goradz VECKO Performance Director for British Para Table Tennis led the training camp assisted by National Coach Matt KENNY and National Pathway Coach Matjaz SERCER as well as Coaches from Norway Wales and Scotland with all players working hard and mixing well.
Coach Education was a key part of the weekend and several workshops were held to develop the Scottish Coaches; while foreign coaches worked with GB coaches
Richard YULE Chief Operating Officer for Table Tennis Scotland got things started with presentations on their new projects in terms of Social Table Tennis Table and looking showcasing their Pop up and Play programme.
Karen TONGE OBE former Chair of British Para Table Tennis then delivered a workshop on the various rules for Para Table Tennis and this was very useful as many of the coaches shad not been involved with competitive Para players. She also covered integration of players within a club setting who may have a disability.
Dr Kim DAYBELL who recently retired from the British Para World Class Performance Programme has qualified as a classifier and delivered a workshop explaining the various classifications and the challenges with reclassification.
Sunday saw three more workshops for the Scottish Coaches in relation Scottish Disability Sport. Led by Club development and Performance pathways. These were also led By Richard YULE Chief Operating Officer for Table Tennis Scotland as well as Match play for the athletes and final feedback and words from Goradz
