ITTF Development Plan

1. Continental Development Program

1.1. Continental Development Officers

Main aim:

To ensure the continuous development and implementation of the joint ITTF and Continental Development programs, by employing multi-skilled Development Officers either on a full-time or pay per visit basis in targeted continents and regions.

General objectives:

· To accelerate the development of table tennis in the Continents.

· To have direct links between the ITTF and the Continental Federations.

· To provide multiple benefits and a lasting legacy from Development Officer visits.

Contribution and Requirements:

· ITTF will contribute up to 50% of the salary of the Continental Development Officers.

· The ITTF and the Continental Federation will jointly select the appropriate Development Officer[s] for each Continent and Region.

Partners:

ITTF, Olympic Solidarity, Continental Federations, Regional Federations, National Federations and National Olympic Committees

Application procedure and implementation:

Continental/Regional Federations proposal to the ITTF Development Program Manager through Continental Agreements of Understanding.

1999: 1 Development Officer (Oceania)

2000: 3 Development Officers (Oceania, Africa, Latin America)

2001: 4 Development Officers (Oceania, Africa, Latin America, Europe)

2002: Development Officers

· Oceania-OTTF co-ordinate Development Officer visits on a pay per visit basis,

· Africa-ATTF co-ordinate with ITTF 4 Development Officers on a pay per visit basis [French Speaking, Arabic Speaking, Northern/Central English Speaking, Southern English Speaking]

· Latin America-1 Development Officer full-time, 1 High Performance Development Officers, part-time on pay per visit

· Europe-Development Manager full-time

· Asia-Development Officer co-ordinating program of ITTF Development Projects

Co-ordinator:

ITTF Development Program Manager-Glenn Tepper

Long-term vision:

To have multi-skilled Development Officers in each Continent, co-ordinating all aspects of development plus Development Officers in various Regions.

1.2. Continental/Regional Development Projects

Main aim:

· To accelerate the development of Table Tennis in the Continents/Regions

· To improve the structure of member associations

· To extend and reinforce the membership of table tennis in each Continent/Region

General objectives:

· Development Officers will offer a range of activities aimed at leaving the maximum possible legacy in each country, as per the needs and requests of each country. This could include: Training Camps, Coach Education, Coach Education Presenter Training, Schools Development, Tournament Organisation, and liaison with National Olympic Committees, Government Departments such as Sport and Recreation and other sports related bodies.

Contribution and Requirements:

ITTF will contribute up to 50% of the total cost of the Continental/Regional plan, with Continental Associations actively seeking funding partnerships, and utilising existing sources such as Olympic Solidarity.

Partners:

ITTF, Olympic Solidarity, Continental Federations, Regional Federations, National Federations and National Olympic Committees.

Application procedure and implementation:

Continental/Regional Federations proposal to the ITTF Development Program Manager through Continental Agreements of Understanding.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF Development Program Manager-Glenn Tepper.

Long-term vision:

Continental Development Programs in each Continent plus several Regional Development Programs achieving long-term legacy and sustainability with multiple project partners.

1.3. Equipment assistance

Main aim:

To provide associations from the developing countries with the necessary table tennis equipment to develop the sport.

Contribution and Requirements:

The equipment will be donated to organisers of continental or regional championships in developing countries and to countries with special needs.

Distribution will occur at major championships where multiple countries are in attendance and during Development Officer visits.

Partners:

ITTF, Olympic Solidarity, table tennis manufacturers and National Associations.

Application procedure and implementation:

Continental/Regional Federations proposal to the ITTF Development Program Manager through Continental Agreements of Understanding.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF Development Program Manager-Glenn Tepper.

Long-term vision:

All Continents have access to sufficient table tennis equipment to meet their needs and to accelerate their development.

1.4. Olympic Solidarity-Regional and Continental Games NOC Preparation Program

Main aim:

To offer NOC’s assistance for their individual athletes and/or National Teams in their final preparation programs for Regional and Continental Games.

Requirements/Application Procedure:

[NF-NOC-OS] National Federations should contact their NOC for a list of Regional and Continental Games included in this program and submit detailed proposals for individual or team preparations.

Athletes may receive assistance from this program OR Olympic Scholarships for Athletes 2004[see 2.2.1] and not both.

Partners:

Olympic Solidarity, Continental Federations, National Federations and National Olympic Committees.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF Technical Co-ordinator-Lausanne

Long Term Vision:

Full co-operation with Olympic Solidarity and regular increase in the number of athletes/teams benefiting from this program.

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2. Athlete Development

2.1. ITTF Global Youth Program

Main aim:

To identify and implement a world-wide competition program supported by a specific training structure recognised by all continental associations and integrated with the ITTF continental development plans.

General objectives:

2.1.1. World Junior Championships

To organise annually an ITTF Junior World Championships, from 2003, with a strict quality philosophy involving national associations and individual players qualified through continental championships and ITTF World Ranking list.

2.1.2. ITTF Junior Circuit

To organise a series of high quality tournaments identified and endorsed by the ITTF in co-operation with the Continental Associations, with Talent Identification Training Camps held at ITTF International Training Centres prior to each event.

2.1.3. ITTF World Under 14 Challenge

· To organise a Continental Team and Individual Competition at under 14 level, designed to generate motivation and act as a catalyst for world-wide High Performance initiatives.

2.1.4. ITTF High Performance

· To more closely link the activities of the Global Youth Program including: Competitions, International Training Centres [ITC’s], Talent Identification Camps, High Performance Coaching Courses and Coach Education/Training Camps conducted by Continental Development Officers and Olympic Solidarity Course Conductors.

· To educate young athletes and their coaches on training requirements, while proving a High Performance training environment, leading to increased performance

· To give players the opportunity to gain multiple benefits from each airfare by providing both high level training and competition in a co-ordinated manner, and by linking training camps with major junior events.

2.1.5. ITTF Matching Stars Program

· To establish a model in which our current Super Stars and sponsors work together with the ITTF in providing assistance to young promising players in the developing world.

Partners:

ITTF, International Training Centres [ITC’s], Continental/Regional Federations, ITTF Super Stars.

Contribution and Requirements:

To be advised in 2002.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF Global Youth Program Co-ordinator-Mikael Andersson

Long-term vision:

To have a co-ordinated and progressive developmental pathway at all levels.

2.2. International Training Centres [ITC’s]

Main aim:

· To provide training and coaching opportunities to talented athletes and their coaches from various countries in a centralised and co-ordinated manner.

General objectives:

· To provide a co-ordinated link between Continental Development Plans and activities, and the ITTF Global Youth Program.

· To provide training and coaching opportunities in a high performance environment to athletes and coaches from all countries.

· To provide the latest and most advanced training methods and techniques.

· To provide a scientific approach to training plans and preparation for competitions, to assist in improving the performance level of the participants.

Contribution:

The ITTF can provide the following:

Salary and Travel of ITTF appointed coaches for regional/continental training camps.
Assistance with playing equipment (tables, nets, surrounds, balls, etc.).

Participating Associations pay for their members to travel to the venue and for the cost of accommodation and meals.

The host Association should provide the venue.

Partners:

ITTF, Host Association, Continental or Regional Federations.

Application procedure:

Activities at the International Training Centres will be announced to all the National Associations in due time.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF High Performance Director-Mikael Andersson

Long-term vision:

To have a minimum of 1 International Training Centre in each Continent.

2.3. Olympic Solidarity Scholarships

Main Aim:

2.3.1. Olympic Solidarity Scholarships for athletes “Athens 2004”

This program has been developed by Olympic Solidarity with the principle objective of assisting athletes from the developing NOC’s in their preparation and qualification for the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, Athens.

2.3.2. Youth Development Program:

This program has been developed by Olympic Solidarity with the aim of:
a. identifying young, talented athletes at a National Level
b. offering high-level training to a limited number of young, talented athletes who
have a strong potential and who have already demonstrated a good standard

Requirements/Application Procedure:

2.3.3. Olympic Solidarity Scholarships for athletes “Athens 2004” [NF-NOC-OS-ITTF]

A detailed program for talent identification and youth sports development must be submitted to the NOC, who in turn apply to Olympic Solidarity

2.3.4. Youth Development Program [ITTF-OS-NOC-NF]

a. Applications with detailed programs to NOC.

b. The ITTF, in conjunction with Olympic Solidarity will identify a limited number of highly talented athletes, based on their results at Continental and International competitions offering short term training courses at ITTF designated and approved training centres in the period 2003 to Athens 2004.

Partners:

Olympic Solidarity, National Olympic Committee, ITTF

Co-ordinator:

ITTF Technical Co-ordinator-Lausanne

Long-term vision:

Full co-operation with Olympic Solidarity and regular increase in the number of scholarships.

2.4. Women Athlete Development

Main aim:

To provide opportunities for women to reach their sport performance potential.

General objectives:

· To provide equal training, competitive and administrative opportunities to women.

· To provide training opportunities in a high performance environment to girls and women from all countries, specifically to countries in the developing world, according to geographic and cultural factors.

To increase the overall number of women table tennis players world-wide.
To form a Womens Development Commission to produce an overall plan and policy for Womens Development and oversee its implimentation.

Contribution and Requirements:

Participating associations pay for their members to travel to the venue. The host Associations should provide the venue and local transportation free of charge. The ITTF will pay the fee, travel, accommodation and expenses of the expert, plus some funding towards the cost of accommodation and administration, as negotiated through Continental Agreements of Understanding.

Partners:

ITTF, Olympic Solidarity, Host Associations and Continental/Regional Federations.

Application procedure:

Applications are made by Continental Federations as part of the Agreement of Understanding.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF Program Co-ordinator-Lilamani De Soysa-Lausanne

Long-term vision:

To utilise the DENG YA PING PROGRAM for Women Development (Training Camps, Seminars on Women in Table Tennis, Women’s participation in the ITTF structures, Women and Table Tennis Working Group) in each continent.

To have a Women’s Development Committee actively pursuing all aspects of Women’s Development.

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3. Coaching Development

3.1. High Performance Coaching Project

Main aim:

· To provide high level coach education opportunities to coaches of ITTF member associations.

General Objectives:

· To assist continents and regions in raising their coaching levels, by providing an intensive high level coaching course environment.

· To facilitate the sharing of ideas and international co-operation by involving multiple countries leading coaches.

· To train elite coaches in coach education presentation, so that knowledge may be efficiently passed on.

Contribution and Requirements:

· The ITTF will establish a pool of World-renowned coaches from which a head instructor and head coach for each camp will be selected.

Partners:

ITTF, Continental, Regional and National Associations.

Application procedure

Applications should be made by Continental Federations as part of their Agreements of Understanding.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF High Performance Coaching Director-Mikael Andersson.

Long Term Vision:

· Co-ordinate all High Performance activities with Continental Development activities, International Training Centres, and the Global Youth Program.

· Develop an ITTF Coach Accreditation Scheme to provide a sequential Level 1, 2 and 3 Course presentation.

3.2. International Training Centres [ITC’s]

Main aim:

· To provide coaching education opportunities to coaches from all countries in a co-ordinated, centralised and concentrated manner.

General objectives:

· To provide training and coaching opportunities in a high performance environment to athletes and coaches from all countries.

· To provide the latest and most advanced training methods and techniques.

· To provide a scientific approach to training plans and preparation for competitions.

· To co-ordinate activities of the International Training Centres with the Global Youth Program, Deng Ya Ping Program for Women, High Performance Coaching Projects and Continental Development Programs.

Contribution:

The ITTF can provide the following:

· Salary and Travel of ITTF appointed coaches for regional/continental training camps.

· Assistance with playing equipment (tables, nets, surrounds, balls, etc.).

Participating Associations pay for their members to travel to the venue and for the cost of accommodation and meals.

The host Association should provide the venue.

Partners:

ITTF, Host Association, Continental and Regional Federations.

Application procedure:

Activities at the International Training Centres will be announced to all the National Associations in due time.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF High Performance Director-Mikael Andersson.

Long-term vision:

To establish International Training Centres in each Continent.

3.3. Olympic Solidarity Programs and Courses

Main aim:

To improve the technical knowledge of table tennis coaches of all levels

world-wide and developing sustainable coaching structures

General objectives:

3.3.1. Technical Courses:

· To develop the technical table tennis knowledge of coaches utilising an international coach on a National or Regional basis.

3.3.2. Scholarships for Coaches:

· To offer coaches, working at National level a high level training experience at an ITTF approved Coach Education Centre that can later be applied to their National Table Tennis structure.

3.3.3. Development of a National Coaching Structure:

· To allow National Associations to develop their coaching structure by utilising an overseas coach to assist in developing an action plan and coaching structure.

Contribution and Requirements:

3.3.4. Technical Courses:

National courses (course reserved for athletes or coaches of the organising NOC):

National Courses will generally be Level 1.

Olympic Solidarity, through the NOC will cover the participants’ board, the administrative expenses, and the travel expenses, board and lodging expenses, and daily indemnity of an expert.

Regional courses (courses intended for athletes or coaches of the organising NOC and at least 4 invited NOCs):

Regional Courses will generally be Level 2 or 3.

Olympic Solidarity through the Continental NOC will cover the participants’ board and lodging expenses, the travel expenses of one participant per invited NOC, the administrative organisation expenses, and the travel expenses, board and lodging expenses, and daily indemnity of an expert.

3.3.5. Scholarships for Coaches:

Option 1: Training in sports sciences

The aim of this option is to allow a coach to follow basic training in sports sciences and thereby obtain university-level recognition (diploma or certificate). To achieve this, the coach would attend a high-level sports centre or a university identified by Olympic Solidarity [a. INSEP, Paris, FRANCE or b. University of Physical Education – Budapest, HUNGARY].

Option 2: Specific sports training

This training is intended to enable a coach to update his knowledge and increase his professional experience in table tennis.

The scholarship holder can take part in fixed-length technical courses organised by the ITTF, at a university or a high-level training centre, recognised by Olympic Solidarity as being of international level.

Currently Budapest has 2 x 3 month intakes per year.

Partners:

Olympic Solidarity, National Olympic Committees, National Associations and the ITTF.

Application procedure:

3.3.6. Technical Courses [NF-NOC-OS-ITTF]

· National Associations apply to their own National Olympic Committees. Each NOC may organise 2 courses per year.

· ITTF is involved in the nomination of the expert for technical courses.

3.3.7. Scholarships for Coaches [NF-NOC-OS-ITTF]

· National Associations apply directly to their NOC.

3.3.8. Development of a National Coaching Structure [NF-NOC-OS-ITTF]

· National Associations apply to their NOC

Co-ordinator :

ITTF Technical Co-ordinator-Lausanne

Long-term vision:

· The ITTF will have an ITTF Coaching Accreditation Scheme at Level 1, 2 and 3.

· Full co-operation with Olympic Solidarity and regular increase in the number of activities.

3.4. Women Coaches Development

Main aim:

To provide equal opportunities to women to reach their sport performance potential.

General objectives:

· To provide coaching education in a high performance environment to women from all countries, especially to certain countries in the developing world, according to geographic and cultural factors.

· To increase the number of women table tennis coaches.

Contribution and Requirements:

Participating associations pay for their members to travel to the venue. The host Associations should provide the venue and local transportation free of charge. The ITTF will pay the fee, travel, accommodation and expenses of the expert, plus funding for the cost of accommodation and administration.

Partners:

ITTF, Olympic Solidarity, Host Associations and Continental/Regional Federations.

Application procedure:

Courses and Seminars will be organised through the Continental Federations at the same time as the Women Training Camps.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF Program Co-ordinator-Lilamani De Soysa-Lausanne

Long-term vision:

To establish a specific program, the DENG YA PING PROGRAM for Women Development (Training Camps, Seminars on Women in Table Tennis, Women’s participation in the ITTF structures, Women and Table Tennis Working Group) in order to ensure and promote women’s participation in table tennis.

3.5. Training of Course Conductors

Main aim:

To develop a group of course conductors qualified to conduct Coaching courses at all levels.

General objectives:

· To develop a pool of Course Conductors in each continent able to conduct Technical and Coaching courses.

· To increase the number of qualified coaches world-wide.

· To assist countries in setting up a formal Coach Education structure.

Contribution and Requirements:

· To participate in these courses the candidates must be National level Coaches with proven experience at national/international level.

Application procedure:

Continental/Regional Federations proposal to the ITTF Development Program Manager through Continental Agreements of Understanding.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF High Performance Coaching Director-Mikael Andersson.

Long Term Vision:

· To create an ITTF Coach Accreditation Scheme at Level 1,2 and 3

· To have this scheme adopted in a large number of countries and a pool of coaches world-wide and in each country skilled in its presentation.

3.6. Coaching Apprenticeship Program

Main aim:

· To give coaches from less developed Associations experience in coaching that they would not be able to access in their own areas.

General objectives:

· To raise the level of coaches from developing associations.

· To increase the number of qualified coaches.

· To gain experience from top Master Coaches.

Contribution and Requirements:

· National Associations or the applicants themselves will pay their travel costs to attend the activity selected.

· ITTF will provide full accommodation to the apprentice and the Master Coach.

Application procedure:

Directly to the Development Program Manager.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF High Performance Coaching Director-Mikael Andersson.

Long-term vision:

All developing National Associations have exposed their top coaches to expert coaching of the highest level for the benefit of their current coaches and future generation of coaches in the association.

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4. Umpires and Referees Development

4.1. Educational Seminars

Main aim:

· To provide advice and assistance to all Associations for the education of Umpires and Referees.

General objectives:

· To develop a pool of International Umpires and Referees who will set the standards for Umpiring and Referee training and develop certification schemes within their own Associations or Continental Federations.

Contribution and Requirements:

Funded jointly by the host Association and the ITTF.

National Seminars: ITTF will nominate the expert/s to conduct the course.

International Seminars: ITTF will nominate expert/s to conduct the course and will pay the fee, travel, accommodation and expenses of the expert, or as negotiated through the Continental Agreement of Understanding.

In both cases the National or Continental Association will provide suitable conference facilities and any equipment necessary for the course.

Partners:

ITTF, Continental and National Associations.

Application procedure:

Directly to the ITTF, or the Umpires Secretary or the Referees Secretary of the Umpires and Referees Commission.

Co-ordinator:

Umpires Secretary or the Referees Secretary of the Umpires and Referees Commission.

Long-term vision:

All parts of the World have sufficient certified International Umpires and International Referees to meet their needs.

4.2. Training of Course Conductors

Main aim:

· To train Course Conductors to conduct Umpires and Referees courses.

General objectives:

· To develop a pool of experts able to conduct courses in different Continents and to assess International Umpires or International Referees.

Contribution and Requirements:

· To be certified to conduct Umpires courses, the candidates must be experienced International Umpires or Referees.

· To be certified to conduct Referee seminars the candidate must be an experienced International Referee.

Partners:

ITTF, Continental and National Associations.

Application procedure:

Associations interested in conducting this course can apply directly to the ITTF, or the Umpires Secretary or the Referees Secretary of the Umpires and Referees Commission.

Co-ordinator:

Umpires Secretary or the Referees Secretary of the Umpires and Referees Commission.

Long-term vision:

All parts of the World have sufficient certified International Umpires and International Referees to meet their needs.

4.3. Certification and Examination Preparation

Main aim:

· To provide an internationally accepted standard qualification for umpires of all Associations.

Contribution and Requirements:

· Candidates must have held their own Association’s highest qualification for at least 2 years and preferably have experience as umpires in international competitions.

Partners:

ITTF and National Associations.

Application procedure and timelines:

Associations wishing to enter umpires for the International Umpires Examination should write to the ITTF in the second half of the year, stating approximately how many candidates they have. The ITTF will then send the appropriate number of nomination forms, which must be completed and returned with the fee to the ITTF before December 1 of the year prior.

Associations requiring further information regarding the International Umpire system should write to the ITTF.

Co-ordinator:

Umpires Secretary of the Umpires and Referees Commission and the ITTF Administration Director.

4.4. Referee Apprenticeship Program

Main aim:

· To give Referees from less developed or remote Associations experience in tournament management that they would not be able to access easily in their own areas.

General objectives:

· To train international Referees from all parts of the world.

· To assist candidates in acquiring the necessary experience to become certified International Referees.

Contribution and Requirements:

· National Associations or the applicants themselves will pay their travel costs to attend the International Competition selected.

· ITTF will provide full accommodation and the Host Association will give them full accreditation.

Partners:

ITTF, Continental and National Associations.

Application procedure:

Direct to the ITTF or the Referees Secretary of the Umpires and Referees Commission.

Co-ordinator:

Referees Secretary of the Umpires and Referees Commission.

Long-term vision:

All developing National Associations have exposed their top Referees to expert refereeing of the highest level for the benefit of their current Referees and future generation of Referees in the association.

4.5. Umpire and Referee Assessment

Main aim:

· To maintain the standards of umpiring and refereeing and to ensure consistency and uniformity.

General objectives:

· To carry out practical assessments of International Umpires and Referees while they are officiating.

Contribution and Requirements:

· ITTF will provide free accommodation for selected officials to carry out the assessments during major tournaments.

Partners:

ITTF, Continental and National Associations.

Co-ordinator:

Umpires Secretary and Referees Secretary of the Umpires and Referees Commission.

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5. Human Resources Development

5.1. Marketing Seminars

Main aim:

· To impart to the Continental Federations the knowledge gained by the ITTF in Marketing the sport of table tennis to potential sponsors and to television networks, thus enabling the Continental Federations to implement their own Marketing Plan.

General Objectives:

· To provide the basis for the development of Continental Marketing Plans in close concert with the ITTF’s own Marketing Plan and activities.

· To forge joint marketing ventures between the ITTF and Continental Federations.

· To teach representatives of National Associations how to implement a Marketing Plan and how to introduce Table Tennis to television networks within their own territory.

Contribution and Requirements:

· Participating associations pay for their own representatives’ travel to the seminar and for the cost of accommodation. The host associations provide the seminar facilities and the local transportation free of charge to the participants. The ITTF will pay for all the costs related to the expert (travel, accommodation, salary, etc.).

· Participation of at least six (6) national associations is required.

Partners:

ITTF, Continental Federations and National Associations.

Application procedures and timelines:

· Applications to be made by the Continental Federation to the ITTF’s Marketing Department between September and December of the previous year.

· Only one such seminar per year will be supported by the ITTF. Additional seminars will be at the cost of the applicants.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF Marketing Director-Anders Thunstrom.

Long-term vision:

· All Continental federations have a comprehensive Marketing Plan and television exposure strategies in close concert with the ITTF’s own Marketing Plan.

· Continental federations become financially more self-sufficient and can offer Marketing opportunities to their member national associations.

5.2. Administration Courses

Main aim:

· To provide to member associations, through their Continental Federations or Regional Federations, a comprehensive table tennis administrative course as the basis for the development of a long term planning exercise for the national association.

General Objectives:

· To improve the planning process within national table tennis associations.

· To assist national associations in reaching their goals through sound planning practices.

· To establish sound administrative practices and long term plans covering all aspects of the table tennis development spectrum.

Contribution and Requirements:

· The ITTF provides an organisational grant to the host organising association.

· Participation of at least six (6) national associations is required.

Partners:

ITTF, Continental Federations and National Associations.

Application procedures and timelines:

· Applications to be made by the Continental Federation or a member association to the ITTF’s Administration Centre between September and December of the previous year.

· Only one such seminar per year will be financially supported by the ITTF. Additional seminars will be at the cost of the applicants.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF Program Co-ordinator-Lilimani De Soysa-Lausanne

Long-term vision:

· National Associations work on the basis of long term plans.

· National Associations have solid permanent structures based on a continuous planning process.

· National Associations assume their own responsibility in providing their volunteers and staff planning expertise. The ITTF introduces Administration Courses for the period 1997-2000 only.

5.3. Media Apprenticeship Program

Main aim:

· To improve the table tennis coverage in the media.

General objectives:

· To teach associations about the methods to improve media coverage.

· To give the opportunity to young sports journalists to improve their knowledge about table tennis.

· Provide education in media service to all the continents.

Contribution and Requirements:

Media Scholarships

· ITTF will offer free hospitality up to for 3 journalists during Pro-Tour finals and up to 5 journalists for World Championships.

· Apprentices should not be older than 30 years and have at least 3 or 4 years experience. They must be able to communicate in English.

Media Seminars

· ITTF will nominate the experts to conduct the Seminars (The Media and Communication Manager, one member from the Media Committee and one specialist from the Continent where the course will be held).

Partners:

ITTF, AIPS and National Associations.

Specific project 1999/2000:

Two (2) Media seminars in different Continents addressed to table tennis associations and various scholarships for journalists during the World Championships and Pro-Tour finals.

Application procedure:

Through the ITTF office in Lausanne or AIPS.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF Media and Communication Manager-Peter Jenson

5.4. Equipment control development

Main aim:

· Training of Racket Control Assistants and Certification of ITTF Racket Controllers.

· Develop a group of experienced ITTF certified racket controllers. The certification will only be maintained if the controller is available for racket controls and regular training

General objectives:

· The first group of 10 to 12 ITTF certified racket controllers will be able to conduct and organise a consistent racket control and to train new racket control assistants.

· The qualified local racket control assistants co-operate to set up the racket preparation and control areas and to achieve the racket controls.

Requirements:

· To become an ITTF-certified equipment controller, the candidates should attend and pass the course for control assistants, be interested and available, show a particularly well-developed technical and organisational skill and prove a high sense of responsibility, independence, steadfastness and also a fine communication ability with officials and players.

· To become an equipment control assistant, the candidates should attend and pass a theoretical and practical course and keep themselves informed about the equipment and its control.

Contribution:

· The candidates or their associations will pay their travel costs and a part of the accommodation costs.

Application procedure:

Directly by the Equipment Committee or by national or continental organisations.

Co-ordinator:

ITTF Equipment Committee.

Long-term vision:

All tournament organisers will have qualified racket control assistants who take care of the facilities for the racket preparation and the equipment control according to ITTF regulations.