by Richard McAfee, Course Conductor

The course was held at the University of Technology, good conditions being available throughout.

Notably, Jamaica Table Tennis President, Godfrey Lothian, was on site each day to ensure that all course needs were quickly met; similar Francena Pryce, Board member, organized all transport needs

Also stopping by to add inspiration to the group was the President of the Jamaican National Olympic Committee, Christopher Samuda. The courses received wide press coverage with almost daily television, radio, and newspaper interviews.

Fourteen Jamaica coaches took part in the ITTF Level Two Course. Significantly, two ITTF staff members joined the group: Carlos Esnard, ITTF Pan America Development Manager and Katarzyna Kubas, ITTF Continental Development Manager. Carlos and Katarzyna took part in both the Level Two course and the Course Conductor Training courses.

After five days of hard work and study and one day of examinations, Jamaica now has 11 new ITTF Level Two Coaches; they still have 50 hours of practical coaching to complete under supervision in order to achieve their ITTF certification.

On Sunday 13th and Monday 14th January, the rare ITTF Level Two Course Conductor Course was held. Joining Carlos and Katarzyna was Jamaica’s own, Peter Kavanaugh, who has conducted a number of successful ITTF/PTT Level One Courses.

After two days of study and passing examinations on theory and practical teaching, all three were able to achieve ITTF Level Two Course Conductor Status.

Now Jamaica currently has six ITTF/PTT Level One Course Conductors and with the addition of their first Level Two Course Conductor, the framework is set for Jamaica table tennis to take coach education to every corner of the country.

Editor’s note: Richard McAfee, the Tournament Director at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games is one of the International Table Tennis Federation’s most experienced course conductors.