Our upcoming umpire training courses could get you on court at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham!
Table Tennis England has a number of Level 1 Umpire courses in the coming months, and those who enrol have the added incentive of being mentored and trained to be able to step up to Level 2 in time for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, for which a diverse group of English officials will be appointed. These courses are the last chance to become qualified in time to get to the Games.
It is a chance to umpire some of the world’s best players – and with para competition recently added to the schedule, it promises to be a stunning event on home soil.
We are also looking to extend the pool of local umpires who can be selected for our PG Mutual National Championships.
We are particularly keen to recruit under-25s and female umpires, but the courses are open to all. There are up to 12 places available on each and they will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The minimum age is 15.
The courses all cost £30 – and remember, PremierClubs which have affiliated for the 2019/20 season are entitled to one free place.
As well as the courses below, a further Level 1 course will be added in Plymouth in the near future.
They are all being organised as part of our #BEPARTOFIT campaign, which will aim to increase the number of people involved in the sport ahead of Birmingham 2022. As well as increasing the number of qualified umpires, we will also be looking to engage new tournament organisers and event volunteers in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games.
The courses are as follows:
Nottingham Level 1 Course (tutor Alex Mercer)
Day 1: Sunday February 16; Carlton Le Willows Academy, Wood Lane, Gedling, Nottingham, NG4 4AA; 9.30am-4.30pm; Cost £30
Day 2: Saturday March 7 (at Junior British League); Derby Arena, Royal Way, Derby, DE24 8JB; 9.30am-4.30pm
Birmingham/Wolverhampton Level 1 Course (tutor Alex Mercer)
Day 1: Saturday March 7 – The Lighthouse, 100 Alma Way, Birmingham B19 2LN; 9.30am-4.30pm; Cost £30
Day 2: Saturday April 25 – (at Butterfly Schools Individual Finals); Aldersley Leisure Village, Aldersley Rd, Wolverhampton, WV6 9NW; 9.30am-4.30pm
Accrington, Lancashire Level 1 Course (tutors Tom Purcell & Brian Jackson)
Day 1: Saturday April 18 – Hyndburn Lesiure Centre, Henry St. Accrington BB5 4EP 9.30am-4.30pm; Cost £30
Day 2: Sunday May 17 – Hyndburn Lesiure Centre, Henry St. Accrington BB5 4EP 10.00am-1:00pm
Places can be booked through TT Memberships – click here to login
For an informal chat about these courses, please contact Chris Newton on 07904 115138 or [email protected]. It may be possible to provide help towards expenses and course fees for those attending.
A series of mentoring sessions have also been arranged for umpires who have recently taken their Level 1 qualification. The next one will be at the JBL weekend 2 (March 7-8).