by Ian Marshall, Editor
Overall, nine coaches attended, included three members who travelled from Laos; the course was conducted in English, the course members being able to read the relevant parts of the ITTF Advanced Coaches Manual that had been translated to Thai.
Additionally, throughout Don Mudtangam, General Secretary for the Table Tennis Association of Thailand, served as translator.
“Don’s experience as a former national player and coach, along with his excellent translation skills, no doubt helped to produce the excellent result as all the coaches were able to pass the exams.” Richard McAfee
A theory sessions commences matters (Photo: courtesy of Richard McAfee)
The course completed, a training camp which involved national team players was staged, players of a national team level being present alongside six of the Level Two coaches.
“Focus for the camp was to prepare the athletes for their first matches in the new Thai Professional League and to provide additional training to the coaches. The coaches took part in organizing and planning the camp, writing the required lesson plans. The coaches also received more advanced training on athlete technique analysis. After the camp finished the coaches then travelled to watch the athletes as the new Thai Pro League played the first round matches; the coaches were able to work on competition athlete analysis The approach of having the coaches take part in a high level course and then to work immediately with athletes to put their new skills into practice proved to be very beneficial to both the coaches and the athletes.” Richard McAfee
Concluding matters, the training of Thailand’s first ITTF Level Two Course Conductor was the subject.
“In recent years Thailand’s National Team Coach, Korakij Sermkijseree, has also been conducting several successful ITTF Level One Courses. Not only is Korakij the National Coach and ITTF Course Conductor but he is also the author of his own Table Tennis Instructional Book written in Thai.” Richard McAfee
Richard McAfee explains (Photo: courtesy of Richard McAfee)
After helping Richard McAfee conduct the ITTF Level Two Course, Korakij attended an additional two days of training and testing.
“Thailand now has its own ITTF Level Two Course Conductors and plans are under way for Korajij to give his first Level Two Course in the upcoming months. In addition to this new responsibility, Korakij will also be mentoring the three new Thai ITTF Level One Conductors that recently passed their own training course.” Richard McAfee
The training camp, a session ready to start (Photo: courtesy of Richard McAfee)
New ITTF Course Conductors an innovative Professional League started; it would seem that in 2019, Thailand is set to reach even greater heights than at present enjoyed.
Present for the awarding of certificates, in addition to Richard McAfee and Don Mudtangam, Piradej Pruttipruk, President of the Table Tennis Association of Thailand, attended as did Nattavuth Ruengves, the Deputy Governor of Sports Authority of Thailand.
Korakij Sermkijseree teaching (Photo: courtesy of Richard McAfee)