The end of the calendar year was a busy one for many clubs and coaches, none more so than Table Tennis England coach-developers Steve Brunskill and Aad Kwaakelstein, who continued to work their way around the country, visiting clubs, coaches and players and even delivering CPD sessions. Stay up to date with the latest club visits below.
Shakespeare Primary School – A burgeoning table tennis hotspot!
On November 28, Steve Brunskill visited Shakespeare Primary School in Leeds, along with the brilliant Peter Thompson, who runs weekly sessions at the school. The school and headmaster are fully behind table tennis, with outdoor tables, twelve indoor tables and a hall buzzing with young players and hopefully some future stars of the game. The standard? Wow! The skill level across the group was impressively consistent, with excellent technique and enthusiasm. Like Steve says, he doesn’t just throw the word “talent” around, but the potential in that room was incredible. In his own words, Steve found himself thinking: “That one could be good… and that one… and that one”
A huge amount of credit goes to Peter. His passion is contagious and the children clearly enjoy learning from him. He has built something very special here. Exciting times are coming for table tennis in Leeds!
Halton TTC Multiball CPD
Steve has once again provided a CPD multiball court, this time at the beautiful Halton Table Tennis Centre, Widnes, home of the North West Pathway Development and Regional Centre. There were 14 enthusiastic coaches from various clubs across the North West in attendance, all eager to learn, exchange ideas and hone their multiball and coaching skills. The energy in the room was fantastic and it was great to see everyone working together, experimenting and supporting each other during the practical sessions.
Thank you to all the coaches who took part, your commitment and passion really made the day worthwhile. And an equally big thank you to Halton TTC for being excellent hosts. The facility, setup and warm welcome were fantastic.
Woodford Wells TTC – Quality Coaching in Action
In Woodford Green, Woodford Wells TTC delivers exactly what competitive players need. Five tables, nine motivated players and a coaching setup that delivers results from the first rally to the last point.
The session, led by Zoltan Hosszu, started with a warm welcome from both Zoltan and support coach Hayden Gruby. Hayden left before the session started so he could coach at another location in Woodford Wells, highlighting how the club continues to grow. The collaboration between the coaches was clear from the start.
What was great to see was the quality of Shaquille and Don’s sparring – they not only hit the balls back, but actively contributed to every drill with the right intensity and understanding. All nine players showed excellent motivation and a remarkably good level during the two-hour session.
Zoltan’s practice design was particularly clever. Starting with split drills of 2x topspin, 2x block combinations evolving to 1x spin, 1x block, and then moving on to more innovative drills: the brilliant ‘second bounce’ drill – players were allowed to bounce the ball twice on their side of the table, giving them extra time to practice their backhand movements. Once players became comfortable with the technique, the second bounce restriction was removed. From there it progressed to a backhand kick-kick drill from short serves, and eventually the players were given the opportunity to determine their own drill. Each exercise had a clear goal and progression.
The constraint-based approach worked brilliantly. Simple rules such as ‘of the two services one must be short’ created natural learning opportunities, while the environment kept everyone focused on development. With Zoltan’s experienced leadership, quality sparring partners and a clear commitment to player growth, Woodford Wells TTC creates an environment where players truly improve their games.
Level 1 Coaching Course Keighley TTC
Steve was very busy in December. In addition to his usual club visits, he also helped complete the first stage of the Level 1 coaching qualification at Keighley Table Tennis Club in Leeds on November 29. There was a group of 10 attendees, all from different backgrounds and with varying levels of playing and coaching experience. Despite this mix, the group fit together extremely well, creating a positive and supportive learning environment throughout the day. The center itself was an excellent location with plenty of space and good facilities.
Despite battling the elements on a cold day in Keighley, the group worked hard, asked thoughtful questions and showed real enthusiasm for developing their coaching skills. The progress they made was very gratifying, and Steve said confidently that they would bring what they learned back to their clubs and training groups. Hopefully, by continuing to practice and refine their new skills, they will be prepared for their assessment in January.
Growing table tennis at Redcar & Cleveland College
Steve has recently worked with Redcar & Cleveland College to create their brand new Table Tennis Academy, a fantastic opportunity for students to study and develop their game in a supportive, structured environment.
The college has also opened its doors to the local community, launching a morning session for players aged 50+ seven tables in a bright, spacious sports hall; it really is a great facility for everyone involved. It already turned out to be a bull’s eye, with lots of table tennis and a nice get-together in the university café afterwards. What’s even more exciting is the future vision of the university’s athletic department. They hope to engage their student athletes in running sessions, give them hands-on experience and hopefully inspire some of them to gain their coaching qualifications. Their sports massage students also offer free massages as part of their training, with the table tennis group more than happy to be the real guinea pigs in exchange for a massage session!
It is wonderful to see education, sports and community coming together under one roof. Much more will come from this collaboration!
Table tennis thriving at Bury St Edmunds TTC!
In Suffolk, Bury St Edmunds TTC is building a truly supportive atmosphere to help juniors thrive, said Aad Kwaakelstein. The Lower Hall of King Edward VI School is buzzing with enthusiastic players, guided by coaches who keep everyone motivated and engaged during every session. Supervised by John Waters, while Mick Palmer led the advanced session with strong support from Mark and Adam. Their approach was both motivating and dynamic. The junior participants remained fully engaged throughout the two-hour session and benefited from excellent assistance from several helpers, contributing to an inspiring environment. Terry (recently returned to coaching), Kenny (new to coaching) and Tim supported the newer and younger players. The club demonstrates an inclusive philosophy, balancing grassroots community involvement with talent development, comprising five U12 players and 19 youth participants
The coaching sessions were organized with a clear structure, with fixed exercises, demonstrations, sparring and multiball exercises. The variety maintained player engagement while providing challenges that suited their respective skill levels. While the club faces the typical challenge of encouraging young athletes to participate in competitions, the coaches proactively promote interest in these competitive opportunities.
The club’s philosophy is clear: fun prioritizes performance, emphasizes inclusivity and promotes a supportive environment where members help each other. This approach fits well with recognized standards for youth development. With the overall organization of John Waters, plus the energy and dedication of the others in the coaching team, Bury St Edmunds TTC is building something special in table tennis in Suffolk.
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