After a successful launch at the Table Tennis England National Conference the first TT Kidz Activator Workshop was held at Knighton Park TTC. Pilot Clubs- Ackworth TTC, Bishop Auckland TTC, Sycamore TTC, Torbay TTC and Wensum TTC were invited to send a minimum of two delegates onto the three hour workshop to upskill and qualify them to begin delivering the new programme. Premier Education also sent delegates who are to be involved in delivering TT Kidz.
Andy Heald who is Quality Control Director for Premier Education lead an inspirational session with key messages around the insight and requirements needed to deliver engaging sessions for Primary aged children. The candidates were also shown ideas on how to adapt activities based on the STEP principle (Change of Space, Task, Equipment and People) to ensure all children are fully engaged at all times.
The candidates found the workshop really useful in beginning to shape their coaching behaviours needed to bring the new TT Kidz programme to life. Chris Parker who coaches at Ackworth TTC and who is a qualified Primary School Teacher said-‘ I found the session really interesting as it made me think more creatively about how we can change activities to be more fun yet still be specific to Table Tennis.’
Dan Simms also from Ackworth and a newly appointed Members Advisory Group Member added ‘ We spent a lot of time on the course looking at how to make sessions welcoming and engaging. It’s really challenged the way I think about coaching beginners and it complements the Level 1 and Level 2 coaching courses. It’s clear to me that TT Kidz is a game changer and I came away from the course feeling energised and enthused about how this can impact Table Tennis in the future’ .
Sally Shutt- Table Tennis England Coach Education Officer commented-‘ The new TT Kidz Workshop provided real insight into how some of our current delivery models can be adapted to ensure new children trying Table Tennis through the TT Kidz programme have a fun, engaging and inspirational experience. Our new partnership with Premier Education has proved to be a real positive experience as the knowledge they are bringing around the ‘How to Coach’ skills needed to make our sport fun are invaluable’. Together we bring TT Kidz to Life!
If you would like your club to get involved with this exciting new programme please sign up with the following link
https://tabletennisengland.co.uk/programs/become-a-tt-kidz-centre/