Table Tennis Association continues Grassroot programme

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Table Tennis Association (SVGTTA) continued its grassroot coaching programme on Saturday, September 19, with a three hour stint at the Rose Bank Community Centre in the North Leeward Area.{{more}}

SVGTTA Technical Director Carlton Daniel, along with national coach Robert Ballantyne and national player Romano Spencer, conducted coaching sessions on the rudiments of the game.

The eighteen participants, who were between the ages of seven and seventeen years of age, were shown the basic stance, the handshake grip – popular among Western players – and the four basic strokes of the game.

During the exercise, Ballantyne presented a number of table tennis racquets, balls and a net on behalf of the Association to Everal Ince, who received the equipment on behalf of the Rose Bank Community.

Colin Shoy and Ince, who is employed within the Community Development Department in the Ministry of National Mobilisation, have been the contact persons between the Rose Bank Community and the SVGTTA for the coaching programme.

Since last year the SVGTTA, in collaboration with the National Olypmic Committee, has conducted a series of talented grassroot outreach training programmes across the state.

During this year, coaching programmes have been conducted in Mustique, Barrouallie, Layou, Georgetown, Colonaire, Biabou, Campden Park and the Liberty Lodge Boys Training School. During this school term, the Association aims to carry this training to a minimum of five new locations and conduct follow-up sessions with those already covered. Plans are also in place to host individual and area tournaments for these new inductees to the sport.