Trailblazing Tapper Sets Sights on Coaching NextGen

After formally announcing her retirement from competitive Table Tennis last week, Australia’s Melissa Tapper, affectionately known as ‘Milly’, will kick start the new year with a new chapter, making the transition into coaching. 

Tapper, together with 29 other participants, has been selected into the second Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Gen32 Coaching Program and will begin working with the Table Tennis Australia National Coaches in January 2025. The Gen32 Coaching Program, which began in 2022, is a joint collaboration with national sporting bodies, and is essentially a two-year intensive high performance coaching internship aimed at developing the depth and diversity of Australia’s HP coaches across a number of sports.  

A true trailblazer Melissa made history with she became the first Australian athlete to compete at both the Olympics and Paralympics in 2016 at the Rio Games, earning recognition for her skill, determination, and unwavering commitment to the sport. Her retirement marks the end of an era, but also ushers in a new chapter dedicated to the development of future talent in Australian table tennis.

"As I step into retirement from my playing career, I'm excited to be taking on the new challenge of coaching. It’s an incredible honour to be selected into the Gen32Coach program, alongside the other 29 participants. 

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to develop myself and learn, working closely with our national coach Ricardo Oliveira, to mentor the next generation of Australian table tennis stars. The journey I’ve had as an athlete has been nothing short of amazing, and now, I’m eager to give back and help develop future champions. 

“The passion and potential in our young table tennis athletes is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to supporting them as they pursue their dreams on the world stage,” said Melissa Tapper. 

Table Tennis Australia are thrilled to welcome Tapper into the High-Performance Coaching Program, where she will work closely with National Coach, Ricardo Oliveira, inspiring the next generation of young athletes to strive for excellence and push boundaries, just like she did during her groundbreaking career. 

“Melissa brings invaluable experience, leadership and technical prowess, which will undoubtedly serve as a source of inspiration for our young athletes. Her dedication, passion, and hard work have not only made her a role model for our aspiring athletes, but also a beloved figure in our table tennis community. 

“We are incredibly proud of Melissa and know that through the AIS’s Gen32 coaching program and under the guidance of Ricardo and our coaching staff she will help our athletes unlock their full potential both on and off the table,” said Ms Nicole Adamson, TTA Chief Executive Officer. 

Tapper will officially begin her Table Tennis Australia coaching career on 2 January 2025.