The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) continues its commitment to promoting gender equality in sport with the launch of the 2026 edition of the “My Gender. My Strength.” programme, an initiative designed to support and empower female coaches across the global table tennis community.
Recognising sport as one of the most powerful platforms for advancing equality and strengthening the role of women and girls, the programme focuses on creating opportunities for women not only as athletes but also as leaders and coaches within the sport.
The project aims to enhance women’s participation in table tennis by helping ambitious and dedicated female coaches advance their careers while contributing to the development of the sport within their Member Associations and beyond.
Through the initiative, ITTF encourages Member Associations to identify talented female coaches who have the potential to grow in their roles and actively contribute to the development of table tennis in their countries.
Three-Stage Development Programme
The programme will be implemented over a two-year period, with the first two phases taking place in 2026 and the final phase scheduled for the first half of 2027.
Stage 1 – Theoretical Knowledge
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experienced international experts in coaching and sports development, gaining valuable theoretical insights to strengthen their coaching foundation.
Stage 2 – Practical Experience
In the second stage, selected coaches will enhance their practical experience by participating in high-level training activities such as the Hopes Programme or Youth Training Camps, where they will work alongside experienced head coaches and gain hands-on learning opportunities.
Stage 3 – Leadership and Legacy
The final stage focuses on leadership development and creating a long-term impact. Each participant will organise a minimum three-day Women and Girls Training Camp within their Member Association, including educational sessions for other female coaches, helping to expand the network of women involved in coaching.
The programme provides comprehensive support, including: mentoring sessions with experienced experts, travel and accommodation for development activities, organisational support for Women and Girls Training Camps.
Member Associations are invited to nominate one female coach for the programme through the following link.
Eligible candidates should: be active coaches or retired elite athletes with coaching experience, hold a national coaching qualification or ITTF coaching certification, have at least two years of experience at regional, continental, or international level, possess a communicative level of English.
Priority may be given to coaches who have previously participated in ITTF development programmes such as the Hopes Programme, Youth Training Camps, or scholarship initiatives.
