Seven newly appointed Coach Mentors bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and skill to help others get the most out of their own coaching journeys.
They are ready to start work and their appointment marks a “significant milestone” in the support available to table tennis coaches.
The mentors are: Nick Davidson (pictured above), Gordon Fearn, Emma Harradine, Dan O’Connell, Matt Porter, Rebecca Radley and Matt Stanforth.
Many of them will need no introduction around the coaching community, with Nick, Gordon, Emma, Dan and Matt Porter all active in the sport around the country.
Rebecca’s career is in hockey, where she is Coach Developer at GB & England Hockey, alongside mentoring roles.
For Matt Stanforth, it is a return to table tennis, having previously worked for Table Tennis England for more than 14 years before moving on to the sport of padel in 2023.
What they all have in common is that they are highly qualified coaches and coach educators who believe passionately in helping other coaches to realise their potential and in turn help the players in their charge to thrive.
They will provide high quality, coach-centred mentoring including observing practice, guiding reflective learning, supporting planning and delivery, facilitating communities of practice, and helping embed consistent standards aligned with the Player Development Framework.
The Coach Mentors will play a vital role in building a sustainable, skilled and confident coaching workforce that supports long-term participation, talent development and performance success.
Evie Collier, Coach Learning & Development Manager at Table Tennis England, said: “The introduction of the Coach Mentors marks a significant milestone in strengthening the support available to coaches across the country.
“Their experience, knowledge and passion for coach development will be invaluable in helping coaches grow in confidence and competence throughout both the Coach and Head Coach qualifications.
“By providing on-table and off-table mentoring, constructive feedback and professional guidance, they will help bridge the gap between learning and practice, ensuring coaches can apply their skills effectively in real coaching environments.
“Beyond the qualification pathway, our Coach Mentors will also play a pivotal role in the reintroduction of regional training, creating more training opportunities for players and also coaches to collaborate, learn and ultimately enhance the development experience for players across the country.
“This investment in mentoring is an investment in the future of coaching and player development within Table Tennis England.”
