Becoming A Coach...?

Luke Pawley Asked 12 years ago

Hi,

 I'm fourteen, and currently live in England. I aspire to be a table tennis coach when I leave school. I already have my ETTA (English Table Tennis Association) Introduction to Coaching Award. I can't move on to the next step, which is UKCC Level 1 until I'm 16. I'm about to start helping out with some coaching for the junior players at the club I play for on a Saturday morning.

 I was wondering if Alois could give me an insight into the day-to-day life of a professional table tennis coach, as it would be very interesting to hear.

Thank you,

Luke

Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago

Hi Luke,

That is really inspiring to hear about.

the day to day life of a coach...

At the moment I do with a wide variety of players during any week, from school players through to International athletes.  Each player or group I work with is interesting in itself because it is a chance to help someone who will benefit in a whole variety of ways from my ability to pass on some of my experience.  Each player is important from the beginner to the best players I work with.

If I can give you any advice, I think it is important that you pursue your playing diligently as well because the experiences you will gain from that through the winning and losing and finding ways to improve your own game will be a real benefit to you and to the players you are wanting to help in the future.  I often draw on things that my coaches have said to me right from my first coaches when I was starting Table Tennis through to coaches I had later in my playing life.

It is a really rewarding pursuit so good luck with your endeavours.  If you would like any advice along the way let me know and I will see if I can help.

I heard a quote the other day "work is something you do when you are not enjoying yourself"  I guess my wife is right... I never do much work.