Press Release
Table Tennis receives a boost
The sport of table tennis had a boost last weekend with a visit to Shetland by Paul Jackson, Director of Coaching for Table Tennis Scotland. Mr Jackson was in Shetland to deliver a training course for new table tennis coaches on Saturday,as well as leading a coaching session with youngsters from the South Mainland on Sunday.
The introductory coaching course on Saturday saw twelve participants taking part, a mix of local table tennis players and youth work staff from local youth clubs. The day was full of great ideas including fun games, stroke play, rules and scoring along with how to maximise participation levels at any age. On Sunday Mr Jackson also led a coaching session for the junior members of the association at Dunrossness Primary School, with the aid of some of the new coaches from the course.
Daniel Mainland from Shetland Junior Table Tennis Association said, “The association has gained a tremendous amount from Paul over the weekend. It has been great to see someone as high profile as Paul being in the isles conducting a course that will no doubt improve table tennis for years to come and we have established a relationship that will flourish as we increase the quality of table tennis within the isles at Shetland, national and international level."
The course will generate fresh impetus for the sport in Shetland as it forms part of a wider project between Sport and Leisure, Youth Work and Shetland Junior Table Tennis Association which will see more sport being delivered in youth clubs across Shetland.
A Youth Sport event, for youth club members in P7-S2, is to be held on Sunday 25 March at the Clickimin Leisure Complex which will involve youth clubs from all over Shetland competing in football, netball and table tennis.
Active Schools Manager, James Johnston said, “As well as developing the knowledge and skills of table tennis club coaches, this course will provide the catalyst for youth workers to deliver sport through Youth Clubs ahead of the Youth Sport Event taking place in March. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Youth Work and the Table Tennis association to open up more opportunities for young people to take part in sport in Shetland.”
Aimee Barclay, Youth Development Worker, said “this training has provided a brilliant opportunity for youth workers to gain the skills and knowledge they need to deliver table tennis in their youth club settings. Working with Active schools we aim to encourage more young people to get involved in table tennis and represent their local youth clubs at the event in March.”
If anyone is interested in joining the table tennis association in any capacity, ie player, coach or volunteer/helper, or would like to start a club in their own area but needs assistance, contact Daniel Mainland at dmainl16@hotmail.co.uk or pop along for an informal chat at a league night on Tuesdays between 8pm and 10pm at Clickimin.