Four Pathway Development Centres sent players to the first of this year’s PDC camps over the weekend of 9-10 August. 

The camp programme, designed to support the development of the PDC players, is a programme which will bring specific groups of players to the Elite Training Centre in Sheffield four times a year, culminating with the U11 & U13 Pathway Development Cup in May.

Players attended from the North East (Ormesby), North West (Halton), East Midlands (Draycott & Long Eaton) and South East (Kingfisher), with each PDC also sending a coach to support the training camp, helping to foster a culture of both coach and player development.

Alongside the PDC coaches, the camp was led by DiSE Lead and Talent Pathway Support coach Natalie Green, with support from National Pathway coach Charlotte Carey, Head of Pathway Development Emma Vickers and Evie Collier, Coach Learning and Development Manager. Colette Neenan was also supporting as part of the SHEcoaches programme. 

Players took part in several activities, on and off the table, including sessions focusing on consistency and multiball, as well as having the opportunity to work more closely with each of the coaches on specific individual development areas. 

Natalie Green said: “For the large majority of these players, it is their first time here in Sheffield at the Elite Training Centre and it is a great opportunity to inspire them to keep working hard.  

“The PDCs are a stepping stone for players to be selected to enter the Table Tennis England pathway into the England Hopes Squad, and camps like this enable the coaches to see the players in action, both on and off the table.” 

The next weekend will take place in November, and the focus group for this camp is girls, which will be supported by the SHEcoaches cohort.