They’ve enjoyed stellar playing careers for England and Wales respectively – now Paul Drinkhall and Charlotte Carey are helping to guide youngsters down the same pathway.

The pair are revelling in roles which allow them to continue their playing journeys, while combining them with hands-on coaching roles at the Elite Training Centre in Sheffield.

We caught up with Paul and Charlotte as they worked with talented youngsters from the GB pathway who are aiming to follow in their footsteps.

They speak about how they got into coaching in the first place, what they bring to the roles and how they are juggling the two sides to their careers.

Paul says: “I love table tennis and I spoke to Gav (Director of Performance Gavin Evans) and there was an opportunity last year to coach the Juniors at the European Youths.

“I was really excited to do that and enjoyed it and have continued from there. I’m hoping for a long coaching career alongside still playing.”

Paul is working mostly with Junior boys on the pathway and says: “I think they’re all great guys, they’re working hard. I think they’ve got more in them and that’s what I’m trying to get out of them.

“You always have more in the tank than you think.”

Charlotte, who works primarily with the younger members of the GB Training Squad, says: “It’s definitely something I see myself doing for a long period of time.

“I’ve been able to balance playing and coaching for almost two years now – I think it’s helped me a lot with playing as well. I’m learning some things about my own game when I’m coaching the players and taking things that I’m telling them into my own game a little bit.”