Table Tennis Australia (TTA) has announced the establishment of State Training Programs in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.
The programs have been established after agreements between TTA and Table Tennis Queensland (TTQ), Table Tennis Victoria (TTV) and Table Tennis Western Australia (TTWA) respectively as part of the Commonwealth Games Australia high performance initiatives in the lead up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The State training programs will see regular and ongoing training provided, closer collaboration with TTA national coaches and a more uniform approach to training across each State.
Upon signing the Agreements, TTA CEO Scott Houston commented “we are grateful and appreciative for the generous funding provided by Commonwealth Games Australia to enable this initiative to commence.”
“Ongoing training environments are pivotal to the development of not only National Squad members in the three States, but also to provide a pathway for the next tier of athletes and emerging youngsters. It also provides development opportunities for State coaches which is crucial as we look to drive high performance outcomes. We understand that each State has different needs and we will work closely with each State to ensure these needs are met. Special thanks is extended to TTQ, TTV and TTWA for being proactive in finalising the Agreements and taking a collaborative approach throughout.”
“TTA has been in discussion with all eight States and Territories to establish Training Programs and we look forward to sharing more news in the near future as further Agreements are finalised. Establishing ongoing Training Programs across all eight States/Territories is a key focus of the 2019-2022 Strategic Plan – Our Future Now and we look forward to realising this goal as soon as possible,” Houston said.
Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) CEO Craig Phillips commended TTA and the participating State Associations on the development of the state training programs.
“The Commonwealth Games is often the entry point to an international career for many Australian athletes and Commonwealth Games Australia is committed to assisting our member sports develop the next generation of talent,” Phillips said.
“Our collective goal is to remain the number one nation in the Commonwealth, however as we experienced in Glasgow in 2014 this will be a difficult assignment in Birmingham in 2022.”
“To help achieve this goal CGA has committed $13 million to assist with preparations for the 2022 Games. The funding is a direct legacy for Commonwealth Games sports and athletes of hosting the Gold Coast Games and in 2019 and 2020 will target pre-elite athletes who have their sights set on the 2022 Games. The funding is designed to complement rather than replace or replicate any other sources of funding such as via Sport Australia or the AIS and in some sports where Olympic related funding is minimal, will provide a lifeline for athletes and the sport.”
“Commonwealth Games Australia looks forward to seeing the results of this program,” Phillips said.
