About coaching
Coaching in table tennis is about more than just technique – it’s about inspiring people, building confidence, and helping every player reach their full potential.
Coaches play a crucial role in the development of players, their enjoyment, and longevity in table tennis too. Whether it’s the first time someone holds a bat or that moment of winning an international competition, the role of a coach can never be underestimated. It’s therefore vital that coaches themselves are supported in what they do.
Coaching Pathway
Underpinning the Table Tennis England coaching pathway is the Coach Development Framework, which recognises that coaching is a journey of continual development rather than a destination.
Table Tennis England’s role-based pathway of three distinct qualifications is supplemented by a multitude of CPD opportunities for coaches, making it easier for coaches to continue to develop themselves in order to develop their players.
CPD courses are tailored based on the contexts in which coaches operate, because one size doesn’t fit all. Therefore, coaches with the same qualification are able to specialise within that qualification to better meet the needs of the players they support.
This approach means that there are two ways in which coaches can develop within table tennis coaching:
Go higher:
Progress up the levels from Coaching Assistant to Coach to Head Coach
Go deeper:
With more CPD options and specialisms built into each level, you can develop and grow more at every stage of the pathway
This pathway was introduced in January 2026, replacing the previous structure of Levels 1-4. Coaches with qualifications pre-dating January 2026 have been mapped onto the new pathway and more information about this can be found here.
Coach Licence
There are more than 600 Table Tennis England Coach Licence holders, with the licence existing to support coaches and give players peace of mind in who’s coaching them.
Coaches receive public liability insurance, discounts, resources and guidance, and a number of benefits through Table Tennis England partnerships.
Players know that coaches with a licence are active and knowledgeable in current coaching methods and hold an up-to-date safeguarding qualification and a clear DBS.
Coaching Support
Table Tennis England want to support coaches to be the best they can be for themselves and their players. Therefore, we provide a year-round calendar of CPD opportunities for coaches to take part in.
On top of these opportunities, coaches can also access support from Coach Mentors, by accessing resources to guide them, the TT Learning Zone, and being listed on the Table Tennis England Coach Finder.