Simon Gerada Signs On With TTA

TTA is pleased to announce that Simon Gerada will take up the role of National Coach – Performance Pathway (Able-Bodied) on a two-year contract, working on a part-time basis. The role will focus on establishing innovative ways to develop athletes across Australia to help them reach their potential, enabling athletes to progress through the high performance pathway to become internationally competitive at senior level, and working with National Squad athletes in the daily training and competition environment.

The role has been created following TTA receiving additional funding from AIS to develop and improve our performance pathway offering. Over the past six months Gerada has been working with the National Squad and National Team as the National Assistant Coach and has proven to be an outstanding contributor; when this new role became available he was the natural and perfect fit.

National Head Coach (Able-Bodied), John Murphy, was thrilled with the appointment, commenting ‘having Simon join TTA on a long-term basis is a big win for our Able-Bodied High Performance Program. He has a great working relationship with the athletes, all the athletes respect him, plus he has a real hunger to see Australia continue to improve on the international stage. Simon has already developed many athletes to progress from beginner level through to the National Team, being able to utilise this knowledge and experience on a national level will generate plenty of positives’.

Murphy went on to say, ‘our Able-Bodied High Performance Program made strong progress throughout 2019 with the establishment of regular and ongoing National Squad training, domination of Continental level events and earning maximum quota places for the 2020 Olympic Games. This was all achieved with limited resources and TTA is appreciative of this additional AIS investment that enables high quality staff such as Simon to be engaged in the program’.

Upon taking up the role, Gerada said ‘I’m so pleased and excited to have been appointed in this role. TTA, its Board and staff have clearly demonstrated to me that “High Performance” is high on the agenda. With this said, the athletes, squad members and all who are involved in John Murphy’s program have enjoyed my experience, knowledge and contribution. This made it an easy choice to continue to work with the Able-Bodied High Performance program. Finally, I promise to do my best to meet the expectations of the squad, the National Head Coach and TTA in general and to always do the best for all who are involved in the entire program’.

Gerada commences effective immediately and we look forward to sharing more positive news in the future as our Able-Bodied High Performance Program continues to develop.

Congratulations Simon!

NOTE: Simon Gerada has a declared Conflict of Interest in relation to Health, Wellness & Table Tennis and LOOPS Table Tennis. This has been handled and will continue to be handled in accordance with the TTA Conflict of Interest processes and procedures.