Camille Linke - the Young Swiss Hope in action this morning
FUN and REWARD are the key words in play for the first ever ITTF World Hopes Week in Schwechat, Austria.
After watching four days of training camp , followed by only a half day of ITTF Hopes Challenge competition – the two words can easily be, not only edged in the minds of coaches and supporters , but also plastered on the walls of the impressive Werner Schlager Academy.
High Level Of Energy
We can also add a seemingly never ending energy that seems to drive the young hopes to find a racket, a ball and a table whenever possibilities arise. Which of course happens all the time in a table tennis venue like the WSA . Rest is exchanged into practice and play . Fun is happening in each court and in every corner as players gather around exciting matches , to follow friends or to simply ride the wave of anticipation. Even doing the draw was , with the youngsters participating , a fun happening , as they eagerly followed each move from ball picking to screen action looking for whom they would end up playing.
Impressive set up
Coaches are impressed ; The Field of Dreams said experienced WSA Head coach Dirk Wagner relating to the training camp. Fantastic experience and opportunity are other commonly used words in the corridors and from the stands.
The Future of the Hopes Programme
Now, as always the first impression will tell quite simply ; The idea of having a world gathering at this age do work..Especially if the formula is EDUCATION , FUN and REWARD for all the involved parties. The next steps for the ITTF Hopes Programme are to fine tune details, build a solid financial platform, and perhaps most importantly involve the national associations in areas like registration , evaluation and implementation.
