In September 2006 the BTTF World Class Performance Pathway was finally agreed. The main goal is to identify and develop potential world class talent in order to win medals at the Olympic Games.
The World Class pathway comprises of three elements:
1. WORLD CLASS PODIUM SQUAD
CURRENTLY NO PLAYERS
ONLY FOR THOSE PLAYERS THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO WIN OLYMPIC MEDALS.
2. WORLD CLASS DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
MAXIMUM 18 PLAYERS
INCLUDES TWO WELSH PLAYERS
Adam Robertson & Naomi Owen
BASIS FOR SELECTION.
THOSE JUDGED TO BE OLYMPIC MEDAL HOPEFULS FOR 2012
3. WORLD CLASS TALENT ID SQUAD
MAXIMUM 20 PLAYERS
NO WELSH PLAYERS
BASIS FOR SELECTION
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT SQUAD PLAYERS
AGE
UNDER 18
IDENTIFYING TALENT FOR THE BTTF TALENT ID SQUAD.
British Table Tennis Federation Selector Observation Events.
At the last BTTF Performance Management Group meeting in August it was decided that the BTTF selectors should be present at the:
• Stockton –On –Tees 4 Star Junior Open 17 & 18 November 2007
• East Midlands 3 & 4 Star Junior Open 12 & 13 January 2008
• City of Derby & Jarvis Sports 4 Star Open 8 & 9 March 2008.
The selectors will be at all of these events looking for potential athletes for the BTTF Talent ID Squad.
The TTAW will select and enter a small number of athletes to represent Wales in each of these events but those not selected that have BTTF aspirations should enter as individuals.
Invites are invited from suitably qualified coaches to apply for the above positions. There will be five officers appointed, two in North Wales and three in South Wales.
For further details contact:
Ron Davies 01978 760 791 or admin@ttaw.co.uk
Extracts from the ITTF Board Meeting minutes
All frictionless racket coverings shall be withdrawn from the ITTF list on 1 July 2008. The list of coverings involved will be published as soon as some technical matters have been solved.
Men’s Team: Stephen Jenkins, Stephen Gertsen & David Owen
Women’s Taem: Naomi Wilson & Natasha Rees
Naomi Wilson won a bronze medal in the women’s singles event at the Senior Six Nations on the Isle of Man last weekend. She beat her team mate Natasha Rees in the quarter finals before eventually losing 3 – 0 England’s Abigail Embling in the semi final This was an excellent result for the 21 year old from Cardiff in only her first appearance for Wales in international competition.
Stephen Jenkins and Stephen Gertsen both reached the quarter final of the men’s singles. Stephen Jenkins lost in a close match to J.Segrew of Ireland and Stephen Gertsen lost 3-0 to T. Yarnal of England.
Wales finished 4th in the men’s and women’s team competition.
The affiliation fees for next year will be increased to £11.50 but the licence fee will stay the same at £12
Licences should be obtained from Derek Clarke.
Contact Tel No: 02920 757108
Welsh Warrior is back
After a year and a half out of international wilderness, former Commonwealth champion Ryan Jenkins returned for his country at the Flanders Open in Belgium to finish in a respectable position. Jenkins, seeded 8th, won his first 2 matches against a Belgian and a Dutch player respectively to reach the last 16. There he faced Denis Gavrilov from Russia, seeded 9th. Ryan lost 1-4 but played well against the Russian who put out the number 1 seed, Pistej, from Slovakia in the following round and won the tournament. Ryan then played off a couple of matches to finish 15th and retain a place on the next world ranking. Steve Jenkins found it tough to get a top position but lost some close matches and gained valuable experience with the home countries looming.
Due to domestic problems Gareth Evans has resigned as Regional Director for the South West Wales area. Tim Evans and Stan Eastwood will cover his duties until a replacement is found. The Table Tennis Association of Wales Ltd wishes Gareth all the best in the future.
The Board of the TTAW are looking for a suitable person to take on the roll of Volunteer Development and Recognition, and Team Championship of Wales organiser
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