GB pathway coaches have been reflecting on a sensational WTT Feeder Manchester which saw programme athletes win three golds, a silver and a bronze.

Liam Pitchford and Anna Hursey claimed their respective singles titles, the first Senior WTT titles of their careers.

Meanwhile, Paul Drinkhall & Sam Walker took the Men’s Doubles title, Connor Green & Sophie Earley won Mixed Doubles silver and Pitchford & Hursey took bronze in the Mixed having been beaten in the semi-finals by their young colleagues.

All the athletes are on the GB Pathway, which is administered and delivered by Table Tennis England and is based at the Elite Training Centre at EISS in Sheffield.

Coaches John Murphy and Carlo Agnello, as well as Director of Performance Development Gavin Evans, were all supporting the athletes in Manchester. Watch the interview with them in full below.

Gavin said of the success: “It’s been a huge event for us and I think it’s a reflection of how hard these guys work in the training hall, behind the scenes – all the programme staff working together.”

Pathway and Senior Squad Coach John added: “I think it came out of what we’ve been seeing in the practice hall over a number of months.

“The culture really took a big change for the better in the last four to six months and we could see these results were coming. We didn’t expect as good as this but it’s a reflection of the programme.”

Hursey was winning her first Senior title while still a Junior, while Green & Earley are also still in the Junior ranks. There were further successes for young players, including Tianer Yu, 17, reaching the Women’s Singles quarter-finals, Anna Green picking up a victory on her Feeder debut and Abraham Sellado, 15, acquitting himself well in the Men’s Singles on his debut at this level.

Pathway and GBTS coach Carlo said: “I think the Juniors did great, starting with Abraham, still a Cadet. It was a difficult draw, tough match, but he did great, a good first experience.

“And obviously we had some great results for Tia, and Sophie and Connor in the final of the Mixed – two Juniors still. So, I think the future looks bright.”

Gavin also praised the staff and volunteers who delivered the Feeder, and the crowd.

He added: “I can honestly say, I go around the world going to Feeders and Contenders and this is by far the best Feeder going. Thank you to the amazing crowd, I’m sure the players really benefitted from their support.”