Programme Details
Please note that the Sussex Junior Elite Centre is an invitation-only programme, However we are always on the look out for new young talent in Sussex and neighbouring counties with ability, attitude and commitment that we can invite to future programmes Contact Programme Administrator Ian Ford on 07764-146338 or Ian.ford@horsham.gov.uk for further information
BACKGROUND
The Sussex Table Tennis Alliance has received a grant of £10,000 to implement a performance strategy of which the Sussex Junior Elite Centre is the most important element. We believe if the area's best young players are supported to fulfil their potential then this will have major benefits for the sport as whole in Sussex and perhaps beyond.
VENUE
Sports Hall, Imberhorne Lower School, Windmill Lane, East Grinstead, RH19 2DT
As well as a good quality sports hall the venue also has additional small halls and side rooms to facilitate sports science, robot training and parent/guardian relaxation as necessary.
TIMING
For first half of spring term 2010 only:
Term Time: Mondays, 7-10pm (January 11th to 8th February (incl) = 5 weeks total)
School Holiday Time: February half-term - Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th February, 10am-4pm each day
It is expected that details of subsequent blocks will be publicised early in the New Year
It should be noted that as regard the weekly Monday sessions the coaches will adopt a common-sense approach to player punctuality given age variations and that many players will be travelling from distance. Whilst we encourage punctuality whenever possible It is expected that some players may not be able to get there until time up to 7.30pm (but not after, unless exceptional circumstances apply) and that some players will need to leave before 10pm (but not before 9.30am unless by exception).
COACHING TEAM
Coaches already committed to being involved in the programme are as follows:
- Craig Bryant - ETTA South-East Regional Coach
- Nick Jarvis - ex-England No 1 and Head Coach at Peniel Academy
- Marc Burman - former full-time professional coach
- Martin Jezisek - ETTA South-East Club and Disability Coach
It is expected that other coaches will become involved in the centre. As well as supporting player development another key purpose of the Elite Centre is to support the development of additional top quality performance level coaches. Coaches keen to become involved in the programme should apply via Ian Ford, the Programme Administrator. Decisions on such applications will pay regard to such factors as coach qualification level, experience and
involvement nature/level in the sport. All coaches involved will be subject to a Coach Code of Conduct.
SPARRERS
The following senior players have so far committed themselves to be involved in a professional sparring capacity:
- Ritchie Venner - longstanding Sussex No 1, current England No 2 veteran
- Craig Bryant (when not involved as a coach!) - former England No 1 junior, current England No 18 senior
- Mayur Majithia - highly rated Sussex County level player
Additionally it is expected a number of county level senior players will be engaged to support the programme in a sparring capacity.
SPORTS SCIENCE SUPPORT
The Sussex Alliance has entered into a partnership arrangement with the Sports Science Department of St Mary's University College, London to provide sports science services to the programme. Lead contact for this support programme will be Tim Holder (Phd), an Applied Sports Psychologist and table tennis enthusiast who has previously worked for the ETTA with the England Men's squad.
Sports science services engaged as part of a player-centred coaching approach will include the following:
- Nutrition advice
- Sports psychology
- Physical training expertise
- Video analysis
ADMINISTRATION
Administration will be overseen by Ian Ford, the Sussex Alliance Secretary and a sports development officer by profession
PLAYER SELECTION/COMMITMENT
Players will selected by a panel of coaching and administrative staff involved in developing the programme.
Players invited will fall into one of two groups:
- Established Talent Group - young players recognised as having already reached high performance standards within an England context and as being motivated to improve further
- Potential Talent Group - young players (generally less experienced than 'Established' players) identified as capable of and motivated towards reaching 'Established Talent' levels and beyond
The following dimensions of player progress and commitment will be regularly monitored:
- Regularity of attendance
- Work rate
- Cooperation practice partners
- Attention paid to coaches
- General behaviour
Players will be required to abide by a Player Code of Conduct that will provide guidance on behaviour aspects. Players identified as consistently coming up short in terms of their conduct will be asked to leave the programme.
We expect to be drawing on a pool of around 20-24 selected players. If there is only partial take-up of capacity we will not be inviting weaker players just to make up numbers. Additional players may be invited on to the programme if capacity allows and they have been seen to have made sufficient progress to warrant inclusion.
Players will be invited from Sussex and neighbouring counties to join the programme. There is no geographical restriction.
COST
The Elite Centre is an expensive operation to run and whilst we have obtained a sizeable grant we want to plan to try and make it sustainable on a long term basis. For this reason it is necessary for players/parents to contribute.
Charges are as follows:
- Monday evenings - £10 per session (or £5 concession) - payable in advance for a half-term block
- Holiday days - £20 per day (or £10 concession), payable in advance
Concessions will be granted for players/parents from lower income backgrounds. No refunds will be issued for player no-shows/cancellations.
OTHER
- Equity and child safeguarding procedures will be applied as per the Sussex Table Tennis Alliance's policies in these regard. See www.sussextta.co.uk - Administration - Policies.
- There are plans to dedicate a specific section of the Alliance website to the Elite Centre in order to create further interest in it and to generate greater levels of aspiration in Sussex's junior participation ranks
- Players and parents will be expected to contribute to the monitoring processes (eg survey forms) that the programme organisers may request of them from time to time.
- Players should bring plenty of drink and a snack to each session (plus a packed lunch for holiday days)
- Parents/guardians/coaches are welcome to watch their child/player participate on the programme but will be required to abide by the programme's Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct
- Obviously transport will be an important factor to enable the regular attendance of players. Coordination between parents, guardians and coaches in this regard is likely to be vital. It is possible that some people may require advice in this regard - if so, contact Ian Ford, the Programme Administrator
- The possibility of providing participants a Sussex Elite Centre training T-shirt is soon to be researched
CONTACTS
