Table Tennis England’s latest Talent Development Centre is ready to open for business.
Bristol Academy TTC will launch the project on March 18 at its base at SGS College Bristol, with an open evening and talent search opportunity from 6.30pm.
The TDC will concentrate on the Under-14 level and look for youngsters starting the sport from the age of seven upwards.
As part of the agreement with the Table Tennis England, the club will be entering into partnership with nearby primary and secondary schools with the aim of establishing them as top table tennis schools.
Another part of the programme will be the already established community project, in which secondary schools will operate in conjunction with the Bristol Academy Club, where experienced club community coaches, are providing the tuition.
The Academy has employed a new full-time performance coach, Romanian former European champion Otilia Badescu, who has already taken up her post.
Badescu, who was also a bronze medallist in the 1993 World Championships, has helped to coach world-class players, such as Romanians Adrian Crisan and Elisabeta Samara.
She said: “Coming to Bristol gives me a great opportunity to produce a squad of fine players. With a great tradition in the club and a strong team of coaches, I am confident that the project will be successful.”
Bristol Sports Academy Head Kevin Satchell said: “The Bristol Academy is delighted to have the opportunity to work together with Table Tennis England in this exciting programme.
“The club has a tremendous tradition of producing top quality players. Its culture and policy has always been based around performance and achievement and I am sure with the full support of the Table Tennis England, we will help England to become a top Table Tennis nation.”
Players and parents interested in enrolling their youngsters for the programme are welcome to attend open sessions on March 6th and 11th from 6.30pm. Coaching sessions will be held and full information regarding the programme provided.