SVGTTA sails off with flagship project

The executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Table Tennis Association (SVGTTA) will on Saturday, January 18, roll out the National Youth Development Programme, which is also known as the National Grassroots Project.{{more}}

According to information from a recent meeting of coaches, the programme will be launched at the Bethel Secondary School and will be rolled out in phases.

Reports are that the intention is to reach the length and breadth of St Vincent and the Grenadines, with table tennis centres, where youngsters between the ages of six and 15 can come every Saturday, to learn to play and to appreciate the sport.

President of the SVGTTA Tyrone Jack indicated that the association is targetting schools and community centres as venues for this programme.

And, the coaches will not be rendering their services without recompense, as they are earmarked to receive a stipend.

Jack said some funding has been earmarked for this programme, but he is, however, looking forward to community businesses coming on board and adopting centres.

The programme will serve off at the Bethel High, the West St George and Georgetown Secondary Schools, and the Brighton Methodist Primary School.

These centres, along with the AVESCO Sports Club in Arnos Vale, are already confirmed.

Jack reported that discussions have started in relation to a centre in Bequia, and one for the Barrouallie district, while others centres will come on stream as venues and equipment become available and other coaches become certified.

The SVGTTA president revealed that another component of the programme includes talent identification and the establishment of one or two high performance centres.

Once the talent is identified, the best players would be brought to the high performance centres for more “intense training”. (RT)