Table Tennis England is saddened to learn of the death at the age of 73 of former National Coach Steen Kyst Hansen, who shaped the careers of many English athletes in his nine years working for the then ETTA between 2001 and 2010.

Steen was born in Copenhagen on 17 October 1951 and began playing table tennis when he was nine years old on his neighbour’s dining room table.

He represented Denmark at the 1975 World Championships, but it was as a coach that he enjoyed his greatest achievements.

Winning the Junior Boys’ Team competition with Denmark at the 1994 European Youth Championships in Paris was a proud moment which built on the silver medal won in the Cadet age group in 1992.

But that was eclipsed in his role with England, leading the team to a stack of medals over the course of several years, beginning with the 2005 Cadet Boys’ Team gold medal, won by Paul Drinkhall, Darius Knight and Gavin Evans.

Drinkhall, Knight, David Meads and Danny Reed won the Junior Boys’ Team in 2007 but Steen and the squad’s crowning glory was in Terni, Italy, in 2008.

No fewer than four gold medals were won – Drinkhall in the Junior Boys’ Singles and Evans in the corresponding Cadet category; Drinkhall & Knight in the Junior Boys’ Doubles and Drinkhall & Russia’s Ekaterina Kolodyazhnaya in the Junior Mixed Doubles.

There were silvers for the Cadet Boys’ Team line-up of Evans, Liam Pitchford, Daniel Lowe and Sean Cullen and for Evans & Cedric Nuytinck of Belgium in the Cadet Boys’ Doubles; plus four bronzes.

Steen also coached the Senior players at several major international competitions.

He moved to work for the Spanish federation in 2010, helping their women’s team to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games, and also work with Iceland and Seychelles, as well as remaining active in his home nation.

Paying tribute to Steen, Paul Drinkhall said: “Steen was around for quite a lot of my Junior career and we stayed in touch after, so although we worked together, I considered him a friend and we will be missed – thanks for everything Steen.”

Peter Charters, who was Vice-Chair for Selection & Coaching during Steen’s tenure, said: “Steen Kyst Hansen was the ETTA Performance Director at a time when England were a force to be reckoned with in the international table tennis field.

“He was responsible for the whole of the ETTA Performance programme as well as providing support for the two lead coaches: Jia Yi Liu for the men and Alan Cooke the women’s coach.

“Steen oversaw the Junior Development Programme in English table tennis during which time the country saw the rise of a young Liam Pitchford from an 11-year-old in the England Youth Development Squad to a place in the GB men’s team to the Olympic Games in London 2012. Paul Drinkhall also triumphed at international junior level; winning individual and team Gold at the European Youth Championships.

“Sad to hear of Steen’s passing. A good man; an internationally respected coach who made a significant contribution to English table tennis.”

Table Tennis England President Jill Parker, who was part of the coaching team at the same time, said: “I had the pleasure of working with Steen at the National Centres in Nottingham and Sheffield. Steen was extremely popular with the players and support staff.

“He was very well connected around the world and was instrumental in bringing many world-class players to train with our national squad players at both our national centres.

“In 2002 Steen was a member of the coaching team at table tennis’ first appearance at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. England were successful in winning two gold medals.

“He then led the team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and he also oversaw many Olympic, World and European Championships.

“Steen will be sorely missed by players and coaches in many countries.”