TTA High Performance Update

Given we’re now half way through 2019, TTA would like to take the opportunity to provide an update around our High Performance Programs. 
 
Government Funding
Towards the end of 2018 we released a statement advising two outcomes, namely 1) AIS funding for our Para High Performance Program had been secured until 31 December 2020 and 2) AIS funding for our Able-Bodied High Performance Program was to be discontinued from 1 July 2019. After many months of discussions, we are pleased to announce that AIS have agreed to provide partial transition funding for our Able-Bodied High Performance Program up until 30 September 2020. This coupled with our recent announcement of increased funding from Commonwealth Games Australia has minimised the funding shortfall. We are appreciative of the transition funding provided by AIS and the unwavering support of Commonwealth Games Australia.
 
Coaching Personnel
We recently made some changes to our High Performance Coaching structure. Miao Miao, who was working as National Assistant Coach (Able-Bodied and Para) will not continue in that role. We thank Miao for her service and hope there will be other opportunities for Miao to be utilised within the National Squad structure in the future. We are pleased to announce that Simon Gerada* has taken on the role of National Assistant Coach, where he will be involved with National Squad training in Melbourne (open to able-bodied and para athletes) and with some international competitions (able-bodied). Also, Russell Lavale has been engaged to assist with National Squad training on a weekly basis. Both Simon and Russell have taken on their respective roles on a short-term basis for now while we work through our longer-term plans. We are very pleased to bring in two former Olympians, Commonwealth Games representatives, National and Oceania champions to work with the National Squad, no doubt their experience and expertise will prove beneficial across the board. 
 
Our Head Coaches – John Murphy (Able-Bodied) and Alois Rosario (Para) both continue in their respective roles leading both programs.
 
High Performance Training
National Squad training in Melbourne continues to expand. From humble beginnings the training has quickly expanded and now covers 3 x single sessions and 2 x double sessions each week. Plans are taking place to further expand and we’re excited to see how the program will continue to evolve. Kudos to John Murphy for leading this process and full credit to the athletes for buying in to the new direction.
 
Additionally, we recently announced the commencement of State High Performance Training agreements in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia. Training has commenced and is going well in each centre. We are continuing discussions with the remaing 5 x States/Territories and look forward to providing further updates in the near future. 
 
2020 Olympics/Paralympic Games
There is just over 12 months to go until the Olympics and Paralympics kick off. Preparations are well underway to firstly qualify as many athletes as possible and then attain the highest possible results. Our para athletes took the first steps towards qualification through outstanding results at the 2019 ITTF-Oceania Para Championships and we have a realistic chance of sending our biggest ever Paralympic team to Tokyo. For our able-bodied athletes, we will be releasing the 2020 Olympic Games Nomination Criteria and calling for hosts for the Australian Qualification Tournament in the near future. 
 
*NOTE: Simon Gerada has a declared conflict of interest in relation to commercial entity Health, Wellness & Table Tennis. This is declared on the TTA Conflict of Interest Register and TTA strictly enforces processes to ensure any conflicts are appropriately managed.