Sussex Junior Elite Centre

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

View press report from February 2010

Below are the latest PDF information documents to download:

Phase 12 Download (PDF @ 2MB)

Background 

The Sussex Table Tennis Alliance 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

D Block, Sackville School, Lewes Road, East Grinstead, RH19 3TY

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.

Coaching Team

Coaches that have already been involved in the programme are as follows:

As well as supporting player development another key purpose of the Elite Centre has been to support the development of additional top quality performance level coaches. Coaches keen to become involved in the programme should apply to 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 have been subject to a Coach Code of Conduct.

Sparrers

The following senior players have so far had some involvement as sparrers:

• 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
• Wen Wei - Brighton based penhold player who is an expert multiball feeder
• Amila Thilakaratne - one of the top Sri Lankan players (recent winner of the Crawley/Horsham League Men's Singles event)
• Lucas - ex top 20 cadet player from the Czech Republic

Additionally some county level senior players have been 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 has been 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 have included the following:

• Nutrition advice
• Sports psychology
• Physical training expertise
• Video analysis

Administration

Player Selection/Commitment

Players have been selected by a panel of coaching and administrative staff involved in developing the programme.

Players invited have fallen 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 have been regularly monitored:

• Regularity of attendance
• Work rate
• Cooperation practice partners
• Attention paid to coaches
• General behaviour

Players have been 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 are asked to leave the programme.

Players have been invited from Sussex and neighbouring counties to join the programme. There is no geographical restriction.

Cost

The Elite Centre has been an expensive operation to run and whilst we have obtained a sizeable grant we have tried to make it sustainable on a long term basis. For this reason it has been 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 have been granted for players/parents from lower income backgrounds. No refunds are issued for player no-shows/cancellations.

Other

Equity and child safeguarding procedures have been applied as per the Sussex Table Tennis Alliance's policies in these regard. See www.sussextta.co.uk - Administration - Policies.

• Players and parents are 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 has been useful.

Contacts

• Ian Ford (Programme Administrator) 07764-146338 or Ian.ford@horsham.gov.uk
• Martin Jezisek (Head Coach) 07894-064711 or mmjtabletennis@yahoo.co.uk