08/11/2012       

Staged at the Westchester Table Tennis Center in New York State, a total of eleven coaches, under the guidance of Sydney Christophe, have enrolled on an ITTF Level One Course.

It is the latest such course in a series organized under the auspices of the United States Table Tennis Association. The targets set increase the number of coaches are being rapidly reached and exceeded.

Following the principles of the ITTF Development Programme, the course is being organized over three weekends.

Matters commenced on Saturday 4th August and conclude on Saturday 18th August 2012.

Internationals Present
“Among those attending this two weekend course are former two-time Caribbean champion Robert Roberts and former National Coach, Rawle Alleyne”, explained Sydney Christophe. “Both of these gentlemen represented the Caribbean island of Barbados with distinction in the early 1990s up until around 2005.”

More From Foreign Shores
Two course members from Barbados and there are more from foreign shores.

“In addition there is Carlos Espinoza-Toro, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate and a former national junior player from Peru”, continued Sydney Christophe. “Also there is Wilbert Lawrence, a former Jamaican player; Louis Petrocelli, a Physical Education teacher from a middle school in Queens and Wilson Cheah, a Sophomore at University of Albany.”

Long Journeys
Furthermore, it would seem that distance is no object.

“Some coaches have travelled more than three hours to attend this course”, added Sydney Christophe. “Daniel Moon lives in Pennsylvania; Khanh Ngo and Aabid Sheikh are from Massachusetts.”

Opening Address
All present, proceedings commenced with a formal address.

“On Saturday the coaches were given a pep talk by the Director of American Youth Table Tennis Organisation, Ben Nisbet”, explained Sydney Christophe. “The American Youth Table Tennis Organisation, for the second time in two years, has been very instrumental in organizing and co-ordinating this coaches course.”

Matters under way, there was a welcome guest on the second day of action.

Setting An Example
“The course was graced by the presence of Will Shortz, owner of the Westchester Table Tennis Center”, said Sydney Christophe. “Will, who is considered as a table tennis fanatic, said that he has played in more cities and tournaments than any other player in the USA.”

No doubt that is true and judging by the rapid increase in coaching activity, ITTF Level One Coaches Course could well be following the example of Wlii Shortz!

Members of the ITTF Level One Coaches Course at the Westchester Table Tennis Center
Photo courtesy of Polona Cehovin Susin