by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

However, in the four days between one course finishing and the other starting, there was no rest for the intrepid Moncho. Training sessions were held for the St Kitts and Nevis national team.

The goal for Moncho was to analyse and observe; then to examine ways of improvement and establish guidelines for the future. Notably present were Calvin Lake and Urban Freeman, the President and Vice President of the St Kitts and Nevis Table Tennis Association.

“I told Calvin Lake and Urban Freeman, it was not an easy task, my friends; anyway I told them I would try my best.” Moncho

Following an analysis of the situation, Moncho advised that fitness levels, consistency and body strength needed improvement as did the line movement of the shoulders. Additionally, he stressed the importance of timing the ball as well as improving when playing short, both serving short and returning the service short.

Thus Moncho highlighted the value of multi-ball practices, thorough preparation of training sessions in addition to the introduction of irregular exercises.

Notably on Monday 28th August, Summer Workshops were organised by the Ministry of Education and entitled “Education for all”. The workshops were staged on Monday 28th August at the Rivers of Living Water Christian Centre, representatives from the Ministry of Education in addition to principals and teachers from all primary and secondary schools in the islands attended.

“The idea was to give tools to Physical Education teachers for them to be able to teach table tennis in lessons”, Moncho

Immediately following the ITTF Club Coach Course commenced six men and five women attended with in addition to St Kitts and Nevis, one course member travelled from Cuba and one from Dominica.

“I´m already a master in other sports and I would like to be master in table tennis also.” Wallace Mattaniah

“I knew table tennis from Cuba but only as playing, now I have many tools to teach the sport. We have in my school a table tennis table in which I have prepared a net, so we can begin to practise.” Raul Moreno

“We learned so many things about table tennis at this workshop and now we are ready to teach table tennis.” Lester Morris

Most had no prior knowledge of table tennis but all responded and were eager to learn; ten members enjoyed full participation and gained the Club Coach award.