Table Tennis Australia Announces Key Structural Changes to Olympic Program

In the wake of the recent High-Performance Review of the Olympic Program, Table Tennis Australia has carefully considered the development of new, clearly defined role structure, position descriptions and accountabilities within our Olympic Program.

This process has provided an opportunity to assess and refine the structure of our organisation and the roles within it, ensuring alignment with the insights gained from the Review. 

As a result, Table Tennis Australia are excited to announce the first round of changes to the organisational structure of their Olympic Program. The key changes include the split of tasks within the original Program Manager position description into two distinct roles being General Manager Olympic Program and Performance & Pathways Lead. 

The General Manager’s key areas of focus include strategy & leadership, influence and stakeholder management, change management, operational excellence and financial management, while the Performance & Pathways Lead will focus on the strategic direction for the HP and Pathways program, design performance environments domestically and internationally, as well as look to redesign the National Hopes and Pathways Program. 

TTA also announced recently that the Australian Institute of Sport awarded TTA a Scholarship Coach for 2025/6 and they selected Melissa Tapper to this position complementing the program’s coaching structure for the years ahead. 

While further changes may be implemented as TTA continue to work through the full recommendations of the High-Performance Sport Review, these current adjustments are an important step in strengthening the program and its impact on the sport.

Appointment of Rob Gomm, as the new General Manager for the Olympic Program

After an extensive recruitment process, Table Tennis Australia are pleased to welcome Rob Gomm to the pivotal role of General Manager – Olympic Program. Commencing in the role on 10th February, Rob brings a wealth of experience in sports administration and management and will play a key role in driving the success of our Olympic Program. 

Rob comes to us from the prestigious International Cricket Council (ICC), where he held the role of East Asia Pacific Regional Manager. As part of his role, Rob oversaw the development of strategies to drive growth across the region’s National Governing Bodies, international competitions, participation and fan engagement. Rob also managed the relationships with National Governments, various international Sporting Organisations and High Commissions. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Rob Gomm as the new General Manager of the Table Tennis Australia Olympic Program. This is a pivotal moment for our organisation as we begin to build on the insights gained from the High-Performance Olympic Program Review and work towards even greater success on the global stage.” 

“Rob brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of high-performance sport, and we are confident that his leadership will be instrumental in driving the Olympic Program forward. This appointment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Australian table tennis. We are confident that under Rob’s leadership, our athletes, coaches, and support staff will have the resources and guidance they need to achieve their full potential,” said Nicole Adamson, CEO Table Tennis Australia. 

Appointment of Simon Gerada as Performance & Pathways Lead

Table Tennis Australia are also pleased to officially announce Simon Gerada as the new Performance & Pathways Lead, Olympic Program. Simon commenced in the role on the 6th January, and has been attending our State Hopes events, a key focus area of his new position. 

No stranger to Table Tennis, Simon began playing at age eight and by age 13 was a National Champion. Simon moved to China for training and later gained a professional contract in the Czech Republic. Over the next decade, Simon played across Europe, including Sweden, Poland, Germany, and Austria, representing Australia at the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, winning the Oceania Championships, National Championships, and medalling at the Commonwealth Championships.

Post his playing days, Simon made the transition into coaching and management which over the last 15 years has seen him successfully build sustainable programs and pathways. Highlights include coaching Olympians, Paralympians, National Champions, and over 50 National Squad and team members. Simon has also delivered coaching and management to over 1000 kids annually and hosted major events such as the Australian Open, Oceania Cup, Oceania Hopes, and the Table Tennis Australia National team training hub.

“We are delighted to welcome Simon Gerada back to Table Tennis Australia, as the new Performance and Pathway Lead for our Olympic Program. Simon brings invaluable experience not only as a former national player but also a deep understanding of the demands of elite-level table tennis. His firsthand knowledge of what it takes to succeed at the highest level will be instrumental in shaping the future of our athletes and building a world class team."

“As we continue to build a robust pathway for talent development and support our athletes in reaching their peak potential, Simon’s leadership will be vital in ensuring we are providing the best possible environment for success,” said Ms Adamson.

TTA are excited by these changes and their potential to strengthen the foundations of Australian table tennis and improve the pathway to international success. TTA’s focus remains firmly on building a world class team and supporting their athletes, coaches, and support staff in achieving their full potential as they work towards Brisbane 2032 and beyond. 

TTA would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the review process and the recruitment efforts and look forward to sharing further updates as they continue to implement the recommendations from the review. 

“This is an exciting time for Table Tennis in Australia, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact of these appointments for our high-performance program,” said Ms Adamson. 

The remainder of the Review recommendations will be implemented over the coming months in areas of program model and athlete support, communication, policies and processes.

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