JUNIOR PROGRESS
This section is to highlight the progress of our young players both locally and at national level. The Association has, this season, been working hard to re-establish the strong group of young players that are critical to the long term of our sport.
Ryan Stockham and Richard Jardim have been establishing after school table tennis clubs in a number of our schools with considerable success. This is a gradual process that requires the rebuilding of contacts and support within each school. From this base of young players who may be completely new to the sport but may also be keen players who have not been able to get the support they need we are encouraging them to come to Saturday morning sessions (start 10.00am) either at the Phoenix club in Wyken or at The Woodlands school, across the city in Broad Lane. At the Saturday morning sessions the young players are given additional coaching and the chance to play in friendly competition with each other. THE SUPPORT OF ESTABLISHED PLAYERS IS ALWAYS WELCOME AT THESE SESSIONS.
Gradually the aim of the Association is to introduce young players to League play and eventually set up 2-a-side divisions as a starter league for very young players. Already the Association has added a very young team of 11 and 12 year olds to division 5 and this move has been eagerly supported by adult teams.
However, for young players who are keen and show potential, the Association is also building a strong support base for young players at a higher level. Under the name of Coventry Schools we have a team of cadets in the Heart of England League and it is expected that the teams will be expanded next season.
A number of our junior players (U18) - Richard Partridge, Aaron Riley, Ricky Birtley and Taron Dhillon - have played for the Coventry Junior squad and are establishing themselves at senior level along with older Youth level players (18 to 21).
Along with our developing relationship with Coventry schools we are now an increasingly stronger force within the umbrella Warwickshire Schools Association and several of our players entered the recent WTTA team and Individual championships with great success. In the team event, Simon Thompson (Phoenix Ebo) was unbeaten and led his team, Warwick School, to victory at U13 level. Simon followed this by winning the individual U13 boys championship beating 25 other boys from across Warwickshire.
The girls are just as successful and his sister Holly Thompson (Phoenix Ebo) won the U16 Girls title and Milly Bradshaw (Phoenix Jutes) won the U11 Girls title. All three players will represent Warwickshire Schools at the England Schools Individual championships in Doncaster.
Several local players entered the ETTA West Midlands Regional age group (U11 to U14) trials – for the boys, Simon Thompson and George Allison, and for the girls Milly Bradshaw. The boys did very well to win a number of matches and Milly will represent the West Midlands at the ETTA National Finals, again in Doncaster. At only 11 Milly has been selected to play for Warwickshire Cadets (U15) at the highest level of the County championships, the Premier division.
WELCOME TO THE NEW WEB PAGE FOR COACHING
COACHING IN THE SCHOOLS
This season the Coventry committee has renewed it’s determination to develop the sport throughout the primary and junior schools of Coventry and surrounding districts so that children of all ages and abilities can be introduced to the sport.
Already a number of schools have taken advantage of the coaching and support provided by the Association and if, as a teacher, parent or young player, you want help in bringing the sport to your school then do not hesitate to contact any of the committee listed on the web site.
COACHING IN THE CLUBS
At this point in time the Association has encouraged over 40 young players to attend Saturday morning coaching sessions at The Woodlands School (10.00am to 11.30am - £3.00 Adults, £1.50 Juniors) in Broad Lane and at the Phoenix club in Wyken. Local clubs such as Potters Green and Massey Ferguson are also involved in introducing young players to league play so there will be opportunities, wherever you live, to take up the sport. This also applies to adults of all ages so it is never too late to get involved. Parents are especially welcome.
The range of coaching sessions available are not restricted to new players as there are a number of existing players who take advantage of one-to-one coaching provided by our coaches and top players. The Association is very keen to provide the essential support to all our young players, some of whom are regular County players and are rising through the England rankings at the various age groups.
Introduced this season is a state of the art robot capable of providing the full range of play so that players of all standards can improve not only stroke technique, but their general play during a wide range of rally situations.
SUPPORT FOR IMPROVING PLAYERS
The Coventry Association recognises that introducing a young player to the sport together with regular coaching, is only the first important stage of the development of our young players. When players are introduced firstly to league play and then competitive play in local and national competition it is vital that they receive individual support by experienced coaches and our top players. This support is ongoing and tailored to the specific needs of the individual player to help them reach their full potential.
Ryan Stockham is now available to provide one to one coaching sessions. For more details contact Ryan on 07506 790156
