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Greenflash
21st October 2009, 11:10 AM
Having read the ETTA quote below of:


On the 17th October a High Performance Seminar took place at the National Table Tennis Centre in Sheffield. Personal coaches of the international squad players were in attendance along with the Regional Coaches.

Matthew Syed gave an insightful and challenging keynote speech, with Alan Cooke and Alex Perry running the day, both gave clear and thought provoking presentations and were brilliantly assisted by Chris Loxston with the visuals and Kelly Sibley helped Alan with the table tennis demonstrations.

The aim and objective of the day was ‘To ensure that young players entering the national squad have the necessary knowledge, skills, techniques and attitudes to enable them to maximise their potential’. Practical demonstrations covered the importance of good basic technique, as a player’s development is like building a house, ‘the foundations need to be stable or big problems will occur later’.

The second presentation covered ‘Attitudes needed for successful international play’ and Alan and Alex went through the 5 C’s – Commitment, Concentration, Communication, Control and Confidence, that are the essential ingredients to achieve sporting excellence.

Peter Charters on behalf of the ETTA Selection Department finished the day by saying that "We want to return to an era when England's best ever male and female players, Des Douglas and Jill Parker (Hammersley) who were in the room, were challenged at home by real world class strength in depth.

This can only happen if we get all the good coaches that we have around the country producing many young players with ability. With the help and co-operation of the new Regional Coaches and good coaches working with these same players in the national team, all pulling together as Team England, it can happen. This will only happen if it is all built on mutual respect of all involved, co-operation and communication."


The objectives as stated were to "ensure that young players entering the national squad have the necessary knowledge, skills, techniques and attitudes to enable them to maximise their potential" and this has to be commended but are we too little to late?

There has been much talk about the development of the "squad" but not so much of the grass roots leading to that point in a young players playing career.

The Regional Coaches, which personally i see little if nothing of are tied up in certain areas it seems that are more active or will provide more players. This in itself is not very useful and will lead to the demise of some leagues, associatons and clubs. Short contracts and finance are maybe the reasons for this but does anyone else see those "Regional coaches / development" officers ?

JKC
21st October 2009, 01:04 PM
I haven't seen a regional development officer for a few years, but our regional coach is quite visible.

Belisar
21st October 2009, 05:02 PM
Same as Choppy.

Not seen the RDO for some time.

Our regional coach seems to be putting himself out a fair bit and is visiting clubs looking at players, the set up and the coaching. Regional coaching days are up and running with guest coaches and practise partners. Not too sure but I think they are restricted in terms of where and when they can actually coach (someone can correct me if I am wrong).

Alex
22nd October 2009, 07:04 AM
Hi,
Note the comments about your Regional Development Officer, if you could send me details of your League, County and Region directly to my email I will follow this up for you.
Included in the Whole Sport Plan summary is a copy of the routes for young players happy to come back on any specifics relating to this.
Regards
Alex

JKC
22nd October 2009, 07:15 AM
Having said that, I haven't been in a situation where I have needed to see the RDO. I'm sure he is around somewhere, just not in the small area I tend to occupy.

Chopfloat
22nd October 2009, 09:09 AM
I have to say that our RDO is very visible and active in our area the North-East. Tony Taylor is his name.:pingbat: