GTTA to host ITTF level one coaching certification programme and high-performance training camp for cadets and juniors

The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), in collaboration with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), will be hosting an ITTF level one table tennis coaching certification programme from May 16 to 20, and an ITTF high-performance training camp for cadets and juniors from May 20 to 25, at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue in Georgetown.
The expert on duty will be Mr. Oscar Roitman of Argentina. Mr. Roitman comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge, having conducted several clinics and functioned in the capacity of National Coach, Director of Youth Olympic Games 2018 TT Program; Head, Argentina Junior TT program; National Development Director, Argentina; and ITTF Course instructor.
Author of the book Breaking Method, Oscar Roitman gives an approach of a new way of teaching table tennis, and throughout this book – which uses a very didactical and clear narrative – he tools.
The foundation of all these tools are the author’s own experiences as a table tennis player and as a coach.
He has lectured extensively in Argentina, always showing a ludic way of teaching, not only centred on “recipes”, but giving “keys” to develop the students/athletes’ own way of playing or teaching, and all its variants.
The programme sessions will commence on May 16 at 9 am, and run to 4pm daily on the days outlined. They come as part of the ITTF member association’s support. ITTF Coach’s Certification is an international and globally recognized certification programme aimed at arming coaches with the correct fundamentals, techniques, methodologies, philosophy and skills for orienting student athletes to the game of table tennis at the beginner, intermediate, and advance levels.
The course is a thirty-hour programme with an optional para component of an additional six (6) hours. The para component exposes participating coaches to the methods of working with “differently-able athletes”. Coaches who complete the additional 6 hours would become ITTF + PTT Level 1 Coaches.
The ITTF Level 1 Coaching Manual contains the syllabus, course material, and covers and forms the basis for key aspects of certification based on completion of the listed modules below:
• Club Coach Course – 12 hour
• ITTF Level 1 Course – 24 hour
• Community Leader Course – 3 hour
• School Teacher Course – 6 hour
• All courses are cumulative, leading to full certification
10-minute Coaching Practical presentation during the course. A “PASS” is required to be eligible for ITTF

Level 1
Attendance at 30-hour course conducted by an ITTF-approved Course Conductor like Mr. Oscar Roitman. After the course, 30 hours’ coaching practice must be completed. This coaching practice should be predominantly group coaching, benefiting the table tennis school community or junior or school groups.
From the 30 hours’ coaching practice, 5 hours must be supervised by the ITTF Course Conductor or a person appointed by the ITTF Course Conductor. This supervisor evaluates. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and with ITTF restarting its in-person training programmes, there is an intention to capitalise on building a new nucleus of coaches to service the schools, and community developmental needs of the association with a view to also advancing these coaches into the national framework over time.
“The GTTA views Coaching as a critical and pivotal pillar upon which the sport must be built in order to improve the technical and tactical capacity of our players, and by extension the structural foundations of the game’s development. There needs to be higher levels of accredited coaches.”