by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

The Course Conductor for the visit to the small French territory situated in the South Pacific was New Caledonia’s Cathy Gathier; it was her second journey to the island.

Previously she had travelled to the remote collectivity in November 2011, her presence followed visits by Patrick Gillmann, at the time President of the Oceania Table Tennis Federation and Scott Houston who had been on duty in his role as the Oceania Development Officer.

“It is important to see a rejuvenation of table tennis within Wallis and Futuna, as one of the most recent affiliated associations, the ITTF-Oceania Development Programme is looking to provide additional support to ensure the association can provide table tennis throughout the territory”,  Michael Brown ITTF and Africa-Oceania Development Co-ordinator

A return for Cathy Gauthier with the task being  to rekindle activity in schools as well as improving the administrative level of the national association and to teach the volunteers.

Meetings were held with Charles Gaveau the newly elected President of the Ligue de Tennis de Table de Wallis and Futuna; the result being that a National Championships and international participation is planned for next year.