12 Jan 2024

An ITTF Level 3 Coaches Course recently unfolded in Asunción (PAR), featuring the active participation of ten coaches hailing from seven countries, namely Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Paraguay. The event, held at the Paraguay Table Tennis Stadium from December 9 to 16, 2023, was made possible through the support of the ITTF Development Program, with the endorsement of the South American Table Tennis Confederation. This advanced coaching course was a progression from the previous year’s ITTF Level 2 Coaching Course, underlining the region’s commitment to furthering their coaches’ education.

Throughout the eight-day course, coaches delved into various facets of sports education, including physiology, biomechanics, psychology, and, of course, the essential technical aspects crucial for coaching at the highest level. Two women and eight men enriched their knowledge in a supportive environment, fostering camaraderie and the sharing of experiences from their roles as coaches in their respective countries.

The course’s culmination featured evaluations essential for progression, with the participants demonstrating an impressive collective skill level that translated into excellent results. Armed with newly acquired tools, the coaches returned to their home countries ready to implement their knowledge with national teams and clubs, gearing up for upcoming competitions.

Certificates of participation were distributed at the course’s conclusion, accompanied by sincere gratitude to the Paraguayan Table Tennis Federation, under the leadership of President Benjamin Real, for their unwavering support throughout the entire program.

Reflecting on the intensive course, participant Yasiri Ortiz from the Dominican Republic, and coach mente in the ITTF Mentorship, shared, “It was a very intensive course, and I learned a lot about how to coach higher-level players. It was a great experience since it helped me improve and expand my knowledge as a coach.”

Vinicio Moreno from Paraguay, another participant, expressed his positive surprise at the course’s content and the expert’s adept breakdown of each element, especially appreciating the emphasis on planning.

He noted, “Personally, I have really enjoyed the planning content because it is our daily life. It is knowing how to plan a micro training cycle or a training season, but above all, having control of the stage in which our athlete and thus being able to work more efficiently. I consider that this is the way and so I urge Table Tennis coaches to continue training us and in this way be able to take Table Tennis to its highest level in a professional manner.”

Course conductor Francisco Seijas from Venezuela underscored the significance of such courses, stating, “This course was a nice opportunity for many coaches from different Latin American countries who need sports education. To be better every day, ITTF must continue with these courses to give the opportunity to progress within the continent.”

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