Polona Cehovin

ITTF Education & Training Program DirectorDevelopment and Continental Council

Doha (QAT), 10 December 2016

Program OBJECTIVES

SUSTAINABLE and QUALITY DEVELOPMENT of our sport

driven by GLOBAL REACH and UNIVERSALITY

• Introduction of a TALENT IDENTIFICATION program with a global drive (ITTF Hopes)

• Growth of our sport in UNTAPPED MARKETS (With the Future in Mind/YOG and OG Candidates)

• Provision of HIGH QUALITY COACHING to young Players and EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES for promissing Coaches in professional training environments (International Training Center Network)

• Introduce MANAGEMENT aspects to improve the flow of athletes (Hello Future Conference)

• Provide up-to-date and highly applicable KNOW-HOW to customers via modern education methods (Online Education)

• POINT OF REFERENCE for National Associations and National Olympic Committees

In order to accomplish the set objectives and goals the following

Athletes Development Model has been introduced:2

ITTF ADM Structure

Multi-Level Approach

• NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS are the “Creators”

• Know-how, for current and future generations, is a precious value and the real legacy

• Progressive independence in the management of Athletes’ Careers

• Importance of the CONTINENTS that are perceived as the first international step toward excellence!

• Additional funding for Education & Training programs/projects is secured in the Continental Development Program Agreements of Understanding

• INTERNATIONAL Playing Field

• The role of the ITTF is to set up programs, projects, secure scholarships and other incentives, create opportunities, whereby

the IMPLEMENTATION is a joint-venture:all the stakeholders display ownership and

share the commitment.

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E&T PROGRAM‘S OVERVIEW

ITTF HOPES PROGRAM

A global Talent Identification program for U12 Players and their Coaches that follows the “THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY” pathway.

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Priceless Experience: Talent Identification Coach Education Training Competition

Hopes Program STRUCTURE

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2016 ITTF World Hopes Week & Challenge Video

Aspire Academy, Doha (QAT), 29 May – 4 June 2016

Selection FOLLOW-UP

HOPES TEAM at the World Cadet Challenge: 4 girls and

4 boys

with COACHES from all 6 continents

• Training Camp (10-15 days) + WCC

2016: CTTC/Shanghai with Coach Chen Bin

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HOPES AMBASSADOR (DB Scholarship):

Adriana Diaz (PUR) Kanak Jha (USA) Youssef Abdel-Aziz (EGY)2014 2015 2016

COMMUNICATION Channels

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ITTF Website

ITTF education.

com

Official Channels (CFs, NAs)

Functional Mailing

Lists (Coordinators)

Other Platforms (YT, FB, G+

etc.)

The ROUGH DIAMONDS

The last addition to the ADM that is bridging the gap between the Hopes

and WFIM scholarship holders...

A new initiative for young talented players in the U13-U15 age group that have already showcased their abilities and skills in the international arenas and are aspiring candidates in the route toward excellence.

CTTC-E (LUX), 6-12 September 2016

Components:• quality coaching• quality training• individual approach• motivational education

WITH THE FUTURE IN MIND

The core component of the Athletes Development Model targetting Prospects

from non-traditional Table Tennis markets in the pursuit of their Olympic Dream.

Implemented in 2-year cycles*:2013-2014: 2014 Youth Olympic Games, i.e. the “ITTF Road to Nanjing” project 2015-2016: Nomination of candidates for 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games

Budget of US$400,000 for the 2013-2016 Olympiad and also confirmed for the 2017-2020 Olympic Cycle.

* The list of Prospects depends on OS and respective NOCs approvals.

WFIM Scholarship Holders, who qualified for the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games:

2016 ITTF WFIM and OS RIO SCHOLARSHIPS

ITTF With the Future in Mind Rio Prospects: • 14 Athletes = US$106,000

OS Scholarships for Athletes “Rio 2016”• 45 applications filed by NOCs; 28 approved so far = US$419,380

To be “hands-on” is not enough! We need Partnerships of Players and proactive Coaches, National Associations have to be instrumental in all the aspects of the pathways‘

management.

Such a concept is the most educative and also technically correct as following the DNA philosophy and thus leaving a greater legacy to all the “clients”.

Renewed selection process for the 2018 Buenos Aires YOG selection! 13

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Release of renewed Directives with new recognition levels:

Table Tennis ACADEMYTop level of recognition with top World level playing/training conditionsand with an implemented educational program for coaches

HIGH PERFORMANCE Training CenterFocuses on top international level in relation to training conditions and features a permanent training group of a high international level.

ELITE Training CenterInternational Training Center with a specific orientation: gender, youth, geographic etc. that strives also to play an important role in the continental development aspect.

Table Tennis HOT SpotEntry level Training Center with a predominantly national and/or youth orientation.

Yearly assessment of activities; advanced criteria for obtaining the status and specific criteria for maintaining it.

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTER NETWORK

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ONLINE EDUCATION

Available content:ITTF Hopes:• All docs related to the Program• Good Practise Sharing – National Hopes Week• Evaluation of Players – Sheets and Examples• Preparatory course before the WHW&C• Hopes Team Coaches education and preparation• „Practical“ online courses, modular system• Experts‘ AdviceYoung Umpires Project:• 2 interactive Courses with examinationWith the Future in Mind:• Long term Athletes DevelopmentDP Course Conductors:• Documents’ sharing platform

Developing an educational culture by extending learning opportunities from training and competition halls onto a virtual platform.

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Other Educational Initiatives

• Media Training for Players:

• Anti-Doping education and certification

program based on WADA modules (made compulsory for all the participants of

the WCC and members of the WFIM program)

• Pilot project with IOC Athletes Career Outreach Program

• WCC Educational Sessions

• Fair-Play Award at the WJTTC

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MENTORSHIP Program• High-potential mentoring, implemented as a personal developmental relationship,

with the goal of grooming up-and-coming coaches, whose players are taking part in ITTF E&T programs

• Implemented as a process for the informal transmission of knowledge and experience to support coaches in confidence building and program completition

Face-to-face mentorship during organized activities Distance/online mentorship Individual and/or group approach

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Two vehicles to deliver the Mentorship Program:

1. International Training Centers: Mentors – most prominent coaches at ITTF recognized Centers 7-10 days hands-on program at the Training Center (learning by doing) Preparation for work at the Training Center and follow-up by online

contact with the Mentor 2017 Call for Applications to be launched soon

2016 Mentors: • Li Nan & Liu Ruizhi (CTTC/CHN)• Peter Karlsson (Falkenberg/SWE)• Dirk Wagner (WSA-Grenzau/GER)

2. Hopes Team Mentors – ITTF Education & Training Coordinator and ITTF appointed

Head Coach for the World Cadet Challenge training camp 10-15 days hands-on program at the Hopes Team training camp,

World Cadet Challenge training camp and World Cadet Challenge competition

Extensive 4-6 weeks online courses with practical assignments through distance learning (July – September); financial incentive

Evaluation of Players (together with Mentors) and Coaches (by the Mentor)

MENTORSHIP Program

2017 GOALS AND FUTURE PLANS

Client (= Player) is King

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What is the Result of our “Traditional Thinking“?

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• Many tournaments = many opportunities• Many projects and incentives = many opportunities• Many training centers and clubs = many opportunities

But...Are these numerous opportunities taken and exploited to their maximum???

Some (Provocative) “Realities“...

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Objective facts:• In 2015 45% of NAs took part in at least 1 WJC event• In 2016 42% of NAs took part in at least 1 WJC event• November 2016 U15 World Ranking List: ranked

players come from 67 NAs (only)• 2016 WJTTC: 28 medals – 24 to Asia, 4 to Europe

Subjective facts:• Educational „culture“• „ABC“ of Table Tennis (in terms of knowledge)• Talent Identification (rather than Talent Selection)

We are doing the right things, BUT... Are we doing them in the right way?

Let‘s go one step back: What is the ROLE of the Coach?

Development of the sport, coaching, bla, bla, bla, but alsoto assist athletes in developing to their

full = maximum potential.

New Concept: Train the Trainers!

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1. LEGACY

2. (Local) CAPACITY BUILDING

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Role Models and (former) Champions:

1. BEST PRACTISE SHARING

2. MOTIVATION & INSPIRATION

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TALENTS ARE BORN EVERYWHERE!Michael TRAN (USA) vs. Dario ARCE (MEX)

at the 2014 World Hopes Challenge

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1. Academic Education & Professional Qualification: High School, Bachelor/Master/PhD Degree

(Bachelor in Split; LUNEX/SUS under discussion) „Post-Sport“ Career

(IOC Programs) Qualification / Certification

(ITTF Coach Accreditation System)

2. Empirical Learning (with holistic approach): Conferences, Seminars, Mentorship Online Education

3. On the Job Training Learning by doing

THE PATHWAY OF LEARNINGThe great aim of education is not knowledge,

but ACTION!

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1. TRAIN MORE - Increase the number of (TRAINING) opportunities- Second Rough Diamonds Training Camp- Activate further & deeper the Training Centers from the ITC Network

2. LEARN FROM THE BEST - QUALITY stamp to our „products“- Diversified learning tools and initiatives- Second series of „Spins n‘ Skills“ Videos (first series up to 174,000 views!)- Enrich the content = Knowledge Database

3. Start paving the „ROAD TO BUENOS AIRES“ - Planning (CFs and NAs)- Training – Coaching – Management

GOALS for 2017

THANK YOU!

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Events’ Organizers and Training Centers

that hosted us

Your support is priceless...

Thank you for your support and attention!