Category: Table Tennis England

Table Tennis England – Current State of Affairs

  • February 16, 2018

Table Tennis England

I was at Junior British League this weekend and I must say I’m very proud of my eBaTT – (Colebridgettc) boys team. We won the Boys Premier Division for the fourth time and currently our last time, due to personal retirement from the event. Personally, JBL is one of if not the best English, Junior event and it’s wonderful to see the best juniors in one playing hall.

Table Tennis Players in England
Table Tennis England

Junior Player’s

One of my players started playing and training for around 4 years and this season has beaten two different England no.1’s. He has climbed from around 50 in England, last season to currently no.6. Regardless of his achievements and amazing progression he has not been asked to train at EYS nor has he been recognised by TTE. Unfortunately, this is minor in the grand scheme of things, many know of the odd selections made recently (women Team) for the Common Wealth Games.

What has gone wrong since TTE?
  1. A New Governing body turned into a BUSINESS (spent millions into re-branding)
  2. Most of TTE’s staff don’t play or understand the sport!
  3. Many funding’s go to projects such as LOOP and PING
  4. Do the people who work for TTE care? Or is it just a job?
  5. Some are on very high wages and for what?
  6. Coaching: poor acknowledgements and systems to aid and develop our coaching structure. Many coaching roles handed to coaches without open applications
  7. Tournaments: poorly organised, VERY expensive, an overall poor structure which has not been modernised
  8. Clubs: limited support, and communication
  9. License: gone up but what do we get in return?
  10. Resourcing: Why are TTE not approaching high profile companies for sponsors? in aid of better tournaments, more prize money, club fundings, better communication channels, a professional SBL structure and payment, National team and squad players supported and funded

I don’t fully know and understand the in’s and out’s when it comes to ticking boxes (to gain funding). BUT, what I do know…

If a governing body does care this is what they would be doing:

  • Develop a good communication system with players, clubs, and coaches
  • Listen to the players, coaches and clubs
  • Find ways to change; recruit young (not necessary but often young people are open to change) passionate and caring people
  • Send the national coaches to clubs and tournaments
  • Find a sponsor for the national squad and its training, so players don’t have to pay for the privilege, regardless whether they can afford it or not
  • Support the best players with a fair system and STICK to it not giving certain individuals an open pass and others a locked system!
  • Develop a ranking system and criteria that is fair for all, for instance. If you play for England (international matches) you should NOT be getting ranking points for the national ranking system (it’s unfair and unjust).

Care, Love and Passion

I don’t have all the answers and I would never say I do but what I do have is a passion for my sport and I aim to provide the best service to table tennis and all players I work with. If I can do this as a one-man army then TTE should easily be able to provide a good service to its devoted players, coaches and clubs.

It seems like the best way to provide quality for our sport is by doing it yourself and with those around you.
I hope to see positive change and I want to see the players, clubs and coaches unite to grow our amazing and special sport – Table Tennis.

If you wish to learn more about Table Tennis England click this link TTE

Written by Eli Baraty

eBaTT (Eli Baraty Academy of Table Tennis)
Coach Me Table Tennis 
Instagram: _elibaraty
Twitter: @elibaraty
FB: Eli Baraty
W:  www.coachmetabletennis.com
E:   elibaraty@hotmail.com
M:  07900401144

Table Tennis Coaching in Schools

  • January 3, 2018

How important is Table Tennis in Schools?

I think many under value the power of table tennis in schools or any sport for that matter. Minor sports can have greater value for certain individuals but due to commercial undervalue they are overlooked.

Yes, education is very important but it’s not for everyone! If it wasn’t for sport inside schools we would miss many of today’s past great sportsmen and women. I went to a school in Camden Town and there was access to virtually every sport imaginable: football, Gym, basketball, Gymnastics, netball, athletics, swimming, cricket and table tennis.

Table Tennis programme inside schools
Boris Jhonson visits table tennis Programme

 

Realising your passion

Once I realised my passion was table tennis, I utilised the 3 tables permanently set up in a small gym area above the swimming pool. The first few years at the school, I struggled socially and academically but once I started playing table tennis, everything changed for the better. I began to focus more, I was driven, met new friends, developed a sense of belief, my grades began to go up, I had success for the first time and was recognised for it.

Special Teachers

The PE teacher Mr Newman (a legend in my eyes) was a half decent lower level, local league player and he encouraged me to play as often as possible and to believe in my own ability. I went from turning up late to school most days to never being late and not missing any days (the fake “I’m not feeling well mum scenario”) were gone! I would go and practice my serve or play with friends; morning, lunch and after school.

Table tennis is unrecognised in terms of its powers to change and aid a young person’s life.  But a charity (a few years back an organisation today) called Greenhouse Sports noticed the power of table tennis in schools and they invested in the sport around 14 years ago, via a gentleman called Michael DeGeorgio. Greenhouse have 12 maybe more full time table tennis programmes inside schools all over London. The programmes have thousands of kids playing table tennis and some competing at high national level. These programmes have full-time coaches alongside possible assistant coaches, based inside deprived schools. They provide: before, during, lunch and after school coaching sessions, tournaments, access to better equipment and development.

Table Tennis in Schools

Table tennis inside schools gives an opportunity to develop your character regardless of age, or ability. Its a tool hardly utilised and we need to develop a system that allows players to develop inside schools. This system needs to feed the players into a mainstream table tennis club/clubs. I believe we would see huge developments in the sport. More importantly youth of today would progress in terms of their attitudes and behaviours.

Look at football as a sport, most kids play during school and there is often a coaching session or structure. This seen nation wide all over England which leads to clubs and possible professional play.

We need to develop systems that link clubs to schools throughout the nation and provide a coaching service that enables a simple but clear pathway.

Written by Eli Baraty

eBaTT (Eli Baraty Academy of Table Tennis)
Coach Me Table Tennis 
Instagram: _elibaraty
Twitter: @elibaraty
FB: Eli Baraty
W:  www.coachmetabletennis.com
E:   elibaraty@hotmail.com
M:  07900401144

Senior British League

  • October 11, 2017

I played my first competition (Senior British League) in possibly 5 years last weekend. It was the Championship Division (the second highest division in the country).

My team ‘Wymondham’ was struggling and I was asked to chip in, plus bring one of my star students to aid the team in survival from relegation.

Senior British Leauge - Sponsored by CreoGlass
Senior British League

 

Table Tennis Tournament Facilities:

It was my first time at Sycamore table tennis club and I’m always happy to see dedicated clubs. But on this occasion, the club did not have the appropriate facilities to cater for such an event. Set in two small halls with a cramped feel was a shameful experience, for the Championship Division.

My player Gregoire who plays division 1 in France was in shock and expressed his thoughts:

  1. Two separate halls produced a poor environment & feel
  2. Cramped space disallowed for spectators
  3. Team spirit was poor; players unsupportive, players on their phones instead of watching and supporting teammates, players walking off after losing and not seen until it’s their turn to play!

It was very sad to witness and worse off to hear this from a foreign player.
I would like to see better playing conditions and a system which brings players together in a supportive manner, creating a team spirit throughout the event.

Can you make any suggestions?

To grow our sport, we need to find ways to develop and in order to do this, we must have an attractive seen for the youth to aspire towards.

Written by Eli Baraty

eBaTT (Eli Baraty Academy of Table Tennis)
Coach Me Table Tennis 
Instagram: _elibaraty
Twitter: @elibaraty
FB: Eli Baraty
W:  www.coachmetabletennis.com
E:   elibaraty@hotmail.com
M:  07900401144

​Adult Table Tennis and Coaching in England!

  • April 26, 2017

Unfortunately, there is a lack of adult table tennis coaching in England! Competitive table tennis players in England are aged between 10-18 years and 40-70 years of age. There is a big gap between the ages of 18-40-year-olds, arguably the most crucial time in any sport.

What has happened and what can be done?

The English table tennis system lets its players down! We have a structured table tennis coaching system for cadets and juniors. This can be seen in practically every region and at most table tennis club across the nation. Very rarely do we see or have an adult coaching session! When I played in France each evening/night had a leading coach holding a coaching session for adults. I would often go to other local clubs and they too would run group adult coaching. In the whole of England, I am yet to physically see a week by week (daily basis) adult coaching session run by a coach/coaches!

Coaching adults at table tennis clubs
Adult Table Tennis Coaching
A culture has been created,

A lot of adults don’t want to train or develop their game and feel more at home with playing games/matches. But this is because they have not been given inside a coaching cultured system. Some adults will train solely with a friend or a clique training group. This culture of only match play or selfish training does not help anyone to grow and develop. Sports like football, rugby, tennis flourish because they have set training for all age groups including adults. And most clubs have a coach if not a coaching team developing their club players regardless of age.

Reward,

Most players start young and they alongside their parents invest hundreds-thousands of hours alongside financial investment. If you are: Beginner level, you often enjoy the game recreationally and it’s an inexpensive sport. A Good player level, expenses become higher due to tournaments, coaching, equipment etc. Very good players level, expenses become even greater, local national and international tournament and training come into play. Elite player level, Top in your age group and possibly an England squad/team player, after all, your investments you need to pay for the luxury of being apart of the squad! Only if you are exceptionally good, then you will receive most for free and if you are super exceptional you’ll earn money and have sponsorship from the sport. When I played full time in France and Germany, the clubs rewarded the player from a very good level. If you had played at the club and were at a good national level representing the club, you would receive free rubbers and blades (limit, was dependent on level). If are very good, coaching is given for free and if you’re exceptional you are paid to represent the club alongside other perks.

How can we make a change for the better and help cater to all age groups?

Firstly, if countries like Belgium, Germany, Poland, France etc. can do it then so can we! All we truly need is a greater support system in place via the governing body  (TTE). A system which help’s clubs whether they are personally capable or not in producing good players. We must support and nurture those who are working hard towards success and not only the club’s who are incapable. I don’t mean to be critical but I often see clubs that have been granted money and frankly, it’s a waste of money. Further-more these clubs are supported and helped by the governing body and for what?

What you put in you get out

I believe if someone is helping themselves, it’s because they want more and they want success, those are the people and clubs we should give an extra helping hand. Some may argue with me here but I often tell my players, the more you give (to yourself as a player) the more I’ll give you. Some players may feel Eli has his favourites nothing could be further from the truth. I was desperate to be coached as a youngster and often saw other players regardless of talent or commitment receive more than me. I would be the first in the hall and last to leave, unfortunately, there was favouritism. In terms of investment, it was clearly poor because today I am alongside possibly 5 others from my age group remained in the sport. If I see a player with true hunger seen through his/her eyes, I will do my utmost to give them my attention. All they must do is impart continuous positive input. I’m sure most of you have heard of the saying in business, input versus output, I genuinely believe in that philosophy.

I aim to change the structure of English Table Tennis over the next few decades for the greater good and I need each one of you to help by doing your part in your table tennis clubs.
​
Written by Eli Baraty
eBatt (Eli Baraty Academy of Table Tennis) Coach Me Table Tennis by Eli Baraty      
Twitter: @elibaraty
Instagram: _elibaraty
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W: www.ebatt.co.uk
M:  07900401144

Football VS Table Tennis – Which Sport is Harder?

  • February 11, 2017

Over the years, I’ve had debates with many people regarding football vs table tennis. Both I and my good friend Louis Lancaster, (currently coaching a national men’s football team) often discuss which sport is harder to master – Football, or Table Tennis?

We are both very proud coaches and pride towards our beloved sports goes without saying which naturally leads to heated debates.

Picture
Ronaldo playing table tennis
Which sport is harder to master?

Personally, I don’t enjoy every sport but I do respect them all and appreciate each has their own set of special skills. I have provided a personal list of, Pros & Cons for both Table Tennis and Football. Let’s try and come up with a conclusion as to which sport is harder.

I play Sunday league football and have spent a lot of my time watching Watford FC train alongside joining some training sessions. But I am not an expert and can only draw upon personal perspective. Therefore, this blog may be viewed as slightly bias which is why I have opened it to a discussion.

Table Tennis vs Football

Football Pros:

• Multiple skills required: The player needs to be able to control the ball with many parts of their body (obviously excluding hands and arms, unless you are a goalkeeper!)
• The physical aspect: Those who play need to have speed, endurance, strength and balance to play at the highest level
• Awareness: A player requires a special 360-degree playing awareness, unlike table tennis.

Football Cons:

• Size of the ball: Due to a much larger ball compared to a table tennis, this provides players with: more reaction time, ability to control the ball more, and less spin. A young child can quickly control and develop their ball skills due to a larger contact surface and reduced speed and spin.
• Team sport: There are 11 men on both sides of the pitch compared with 2 (singles) or 4 (doubles) on a TT table. A football team can win even if they have weak links, fewer men/women, no goalkeeper, unlike table tennis where you must rely on yourself to win.
• Positioning: In football, everyone has a given position or role to play, making their task slightly more simplistic compared to table tennis (where they must cover all roles to enable a positive performance).

Table Tennis Pros

• Reaction speed: Table tennis has been scientifically proven to be the fastest reaction sport, with balls reaching over 100kph at a short distance. Furthermore, you are unable to stop the ball and then make a decision. As soon as you connect with the ball it’s gone. Make the wrong decision and you will incur a fault or an opportunity for your opponent to capitalise.
• Spin: Table Tennis, produces more revolutions than any other sport (up to 120-revs per second). Controlling the spin is extremely hard which is followed by understanding spin. Even then once you have read what spin is on the ball you must identify approximately how much spin is on the ball. You are challenged to do so after a player disguises their shot.
• Playing surface: Table Tennis is the only sport which has the ball off the ground and then comes off the playing surface. A unique element which the ground is not used as the playing surface and you legs are based on the ground, producing an element unseen in any other sport.
• You are at fault:  There is nowhere to hide! you are 100% responsible for your personal game.

Table Tennis Cons:
• Not as physically demanding as football: Football includes a lot more strength. Players are at constant risk of being brutally tackled which can end careers. Table Tennis does not face such risk, thus allows more freedom to express oneself.
• Awareness: Table tennis does not require 360-degree awareness unlike football makes playing more simplistic in that aspect.
• Equipment: Table Tennis constantly develops new high tech materials; blades and rubbers providing huge advantages over those who don’t have access to them or struggle to adapt. The equipment creates many variations of play allowing certain styles to overcome players who are technically better. In Football the equipment used only offers small marginal gains, which allows clear skill-based players to shine instantly.
​

Conclusion

Of course there is so much more to cover and I would love to see a scientific viewpoint but currently, that’s unavailable. I am interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions. I will gather will gather further information hopefully provided by the readers. From there, I will publish another article. with a more conclusive answer to the question.

written by Eli Baraty

eBaTT (Eli Baraty Academy of Table Tennis)
Coach Me Table Tennis 
Instagram: _elibaraty
Twitter: @elibaraty
FB: Eli Baraty
W:  www.coachmetabletennis.com
E:   elibaraty@hotmail.com
M:  07900401144

Can China’s Table Tennis Team Be Beaten?

  • February 1, 2017
CAN CHINA’S TABLE TENNIS TEAM BE BEATEN?

One of England’s best young table tennis coaches says they can, and believes he has the recipe for success.

Every time I tell people that I’m a table tennis coach and former top player, their response is invariably this: ‘The Chinese are the best. Can you beat the Chinese?’

Coaching empowers
A top coach changes your game a great coach changes your life

 

The Dream Began

I started playing table tennis in the ’90s and was fortunate to witness three Europeans win the men’s world singles title (Swedes Jorgen Persson in 1991, Jan-Ove Waldner in 1997 and Frenchman Jean- Philippe Gatien in 1993) as well as an Olympic singles title (Waldner in 1992). I also saw Sweden become the last nation to beat China in the men’s team event at the 2000 World Championships.
I dreamed of becoming a world champion myself but that was too far-fetched, having only started playing the game when I was 14 years old. So I turned to coaching as a profession and I am still a full-time coach 16 years later. I have produced countless national team, doubles, male and female singles title winners. But my ultimate goal is far greater than national success.

My vision is fixed on defeating China. 

I previously played in Germany, France and Belgium and saw the best table tennis set-ups in Europe. I believe they all lack the full infrastructure needed to develop Olympic and world champions. There are various full-time centres but they are not structured in a way that allows players to develop their game throughout their career, especially beyond the age of 18.
Even for those with a structured system, there seems to be lack of innovation, passion and most importantly motivation. They have a defeatist attitude: “China is too good, so what’s the point?!”
Where’s the gap?

Table Tennis Centre/Club

I currently run a table tennis academy in Harefield in the London borough of Hillingdon which caters for students aged 11-19 (it also has on-site boarding allowing players from all over the world to stay there while they study and train). Here they receive regular table tennis training alongside their education. But we also need top-level coaches from the grassroots level who can develop players from the age of five through to 10. They are then technically well developed and can build onwards from these solid foundations. 
Only then should they be passed on to a full time set up such as The Harefield Academy, which has a full-time coaching team including myself. Here, they are able to train regularly before, during  (in PE lessons and during classes on subjects that they are not taking further) and after school.

Personal Table Tennis Attention

They get personal attention on either a one-to-one basis or in a small group of up to four players. After school, they can then join a larger group comprising the whole table tennis squad, for a few hours. This is where teamwork, ethics and personal development are encouraged and a variety of styles is integrated into the coaching.
It’s an effective set-up but what happens before kids join the Academy and after they leave? This is where my attention are now focused. I am collaborating with The Harefield Academy to try and establish a dedicated table tennis centre of excellence within the school grounds. While we are still in the early planning stages, this is an exciting opportunity. The centre would host local, national and international players and cater for national and international training camps and European matches. Such a facility would provide a clear pathway for young aspiring players, fulfil their needs from a young age and crucially allow them to continue their development even after they leave school. 

Englands current table tennis situation:

The here and now currently in England, we have many exceptionally talented players who dream of pursuing a career in table tennis. Sadly, they either quit before the age of 18 or at the end of their junior years. In some cases they leave home to chase their dreams elsewhere, heading to the likes of Germany, France, Poland etc. Why should this talent have to go abroad? Clearly, I believe they shouldn’t. 

Englands Men’s Table Tennis Team

England’s table tennis team have actually performed exceptionally well over the past two years, resulting in three men now being ranked inside the world’s top 100. They also finished third at the 2016 World Team Championships and reached the quarter-finals at the 2016 Olympics, losing out to China.

Despite the system

All three players in the England team left the country in their teens, in search of a higher level of training and a more financially rewarding table tennis system. It’s a sad indictment on a country that not only invented table tennis but has also had three World Champions: Fred Perry (1929), Richard Bergmann (1939, 1948, 1950) and Johnny Leach (1949, 1951). Indeed, throughout those years the World Championships were often held at Wembley with tens of thousands spectators flocking to watch.
Back in trend: Away from the competitive side of things, the sport is actually thriving in England. With tables popping up in more and more public spaces and bars being themed around the sport, table tennis has become trendy. It is also being celebrated for its long-term health benefits, with the increased blood flow to the brain while playing said to help conditions like Alzheimer’s.

Structured system

All we need now is a structured system to not only keep our players on home soil but also help them to compete with the absolute best. My vision is to create a bulletproof infrastructure by raising the funds to build a centre that will provide a complete pathway for the table tennis players of tomorrow.  
Despite being a coach with limited resources and access to only a small window of a player’s career, I have been able to produce many of today’s top England players. I believe that with a good team and infrastructure in place, China can be beaten and England can be crowned world champions once again. I’m looking for help, not only to make my vision come true but also to make table tennis great again, inspire our youth and give them the best possible chance of becoming the world’s best.
If you’re interested in helping make table tennis great, get in touch: @EliBaraty 

Written by Eli Baraty (Published in various other location ‘Sport Magazine’ ITTF)

ELI BARATY | @elibaraty