LEAGUE DIRECTOR TIP OF THE WEEK

By Mitchell Seidenfeld

Tip #4: Offer to teach a beginner table tennis course through a Community Education or Parks and Recreation department in your area.

A great way to establish a new playing location in your area is to organize a beginner table tennis course through the community education or parks and recreation department. When you teach a table tennis course through one of these organizations you achieve several important objectives.

• You establish a relationship with the district’s program coordinator, facilities scheduler, or park director.


• You help to provide a unique new program that addresses the interests of a diverse population.


• You demonstrate an interest level in table tennis that helps to justify more classes or leagues.


• You generate income for the school district and for the course instructor.


• You develop new players who eventually will become participants in Community Leagues.

All you have to do is call your Community Ed. or Park and Rec. program coordinator and ask to discuss the possibility of organizing a table tennis program. Find out if any schools in the district have a set of six to eight tables. If so, you’re good to go. You will need 10-20 inexpensive rackets, a gross of training balls, and an outline of what you will teach in the class.

Here is a sample blurb to advertise your class in the community education brochure or recreation calendar.

Table Tennis 101
If you love to play table tennis (some call it ping-pong), this class is for you. You’ll learn the basic strokes, spins, footwork, and strategy of this fast-growing Olympic sport. Participants will reinforce their new skills through multi-ball drills and fun games. The class will be taught by John Forrester, USATT certified coach and one of the state’s best players.

Begins: Wednesday, Sept. 19
Time: 7:00-8:30 P.M.
Fee: $48/six sessions

To learn more about organizing leagues, click here to register as a potential League Director and access the League Toolbox.