Champagne Celebration Moves Ever Closer, Champaign Another Step Nearer Goal

July 24, 2012

Courtesy of ITTF

Commencing on Tuesday July 17th and due to conclude on Saturday July 21st, Champaign, situated 130 miles south of Chicago, is the current home for an ITTF/PTT Level Coaches Course.

Endorsed by the International Table Tennis Federation’s Development Program, it is the first such course to be staged in mid-west region of the United States.

The Course Conductor is Richard McAfee, the Chairman of the USATT National Coaching Advisory Committee.

Perhaps at this time of year and with eyes firmly focused on London, he thinks back some 16 years.

He was the man in charge in the Georgia Congress Center for the table tennis events at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

Ten Coaches
“Ten of the top coaches in the region have travelled to Champaign which is the home of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign”, explained Richard McAfee. “The course is being hosted by the Champaign Table Tennis Club and is organized by its President, Bryant Evans, ably assisted by the club’s head coach, Federico Bassetti.”

Excellent Facilities
Organized and it would appear that matters are very well organized.

“The Course participants have greatly enjoyed the excellent gym and classroom facilities provided by the “Next Generation School” which serves as the home for the local table tennis club”, added Richard McAfee, who has been very much a driving force in promoting coaches’ course in recent years.

Started Two Years Ago
“Two years ago when Glenn Tepper travelled to Colorado Springs to conduct the first ever ITTF/PTT Level One Course in the United States, the concept of holding self-funded regional ITTF Courses was just a dream”, continued Richard McAfee. “Now two years later the dream is becoming reality and a new dream of progress for the United States Table Tennis Association is taking hold.”

Richard McAfee demonstrates serving to an attentive group of students
Photo By: Neil Bernstein

Seventh Course
Progress and there is more to come.

“It is the seventh ITTF Level One Course to be held in the United States in the last two years and three more are already scheduled for the month of August”, concluded Richard McAfee. “The United States Table Tennis Association has a goal of 150 certified ITTF Level One Coaches by the end of 2012 and will offer its first ITTF Level Two Course in October of 2012. “

Prepare
Achieving the target moves ever closer, prepare to uncork the champagne.

Members of the group at the course being organized by the Champaign Table Tennis Club
Photo By: Neil Bernstein