Work is under way to revolutionise the structure of table tennis coaching in England to help us deliver on a key pledge of Table Tennis United.

The strategy will focus on continual development of coaches, based on recognising excellence wherever they work, rather than on the current qualification-based system.

All coaching courses – except those which are already scheduled – will be paused while the project moves forward.

All current coaching qualifications will continue to be fully recognised and the way coaches currently work on a daily basis will not be affected.

We will communicate regularly with all coaches and the wider membership over the next year as the strategy takes shape.

The rationale behind the change is to deliver on Pledge 2 of Table Tennis United: Culture change across the pathway that inspires world-class performances and medal success.

Gavin Evans, Head of Performance Development at Table Tennis England, said: “Coach learning and development is one of, if not the, most critical part of the goals we share in encouraging players of all abilities to develop a life-long love of table tennis, through to winning our first ever Olympic medal.

“Table tennis has changed significantly over the years, nurturing a culture of continual development, where we take coach learning to the environment a coach works in – schools, clubs, community, talent and elite.

“With this in mind, our new strategy will be focus on place-based learning where we recognise excellence in a coach’s chosen environment, committing to a completely aligned and joined up approach across the sport. 

“To enable this approach, and with immediate effect, we are ceasing coaching qualifications, other than the courses that are already scheduled, and have begun a review process of coach development and learning to enable pledge 2 of Table Tennis United, ensuring coaches, athletes and other key stakeholders are at the heart of our culture change to inspire outstanding table tennis development and world-class success.

“Those who have achieved a coaching qualification will continue to be recognised and these will be mapped against our new coaching Framework, ensuring coaches feel valued and on a path of continued learning and development.

“We want to create a ‘movement’ across the existing, and new, coaching community where together, ongoing learning is at the heart of table tennis development.

“We will communicate with coaches and members regularly throughout this process as we look ahead to the implementation of our new strategy for coach development in April 2025.”

Hear more from Gavin in the video below.