|
TTA student forms part of team for 2009 Liebherr European Championships
13th - 20th September 2009
 
from left to right: Mario Genovese (TTA & National Coach), Matthew Micallef, Daniel Bajada, Daniel Vella Fondacaro (TTA), Joe Borg Cardona (MTTA President)
TTA students participate in 30hr sports marathon - Illjieli Mellehin
12th September 2009
|
|
Table Tennis Academy students have participated in a 30 hr sports marathon in aid of Puttinu Cares organised by the Mellieha Local Council. The event was part of Illjieli Mellehin and included various sports, activities, music and entertainment.
Our students treated the crowds to a taste of their table tennis skills!
|
Steve Rowe conducts 2009/10 Pre-Season Training Camp
September 2009
Steve Rowe was guest coach at the TTA for a period of 10days during September. In this period that Steve visited the Academy he was impressed by the standard of TTA students and by the professionalism with which the lessons are conducted and organised.
Steve was entrusted with the pre-season training camp that was held over 5 days with the participation of TTA students.
The event was a huge success! |
|
 |
TTA Sponsors Triton Fountan Dare
17th August 2009
 |
|
Wearing goggles, flippers and a shark fin Katia Mifsud swam five times around the Tritons fountain in Valletta this morning, to the cheers of her family, friends, TTA students and bus drivers.
Katia won the Bay Radio Crazy Dare Challenge where listeners had to submit their proposal for a dare. The prize was €1,000 from Malta Gold. She was also sponsored by the Table Tennis Academy.
Katia swam in the shallow murky water, scraping the ground with her body and fending off discarded bottles and plastic cups that floated in her way.
|
|
|
|
|
Workshop 2009 - Maximising Your Potential
11th August 2009
Entitled "Maximising Your Potential", the Workshop covered aspects that are vital to the completeness of the athlete's performance. The Workshop was led by TTA Head Coach Mario Genovese together with contribution from Australian Coach Edwin Cotter who was employed for the summer months at the Academy.
Programme:
Edwin Cotter :
Training objectives and targets coupled with interactive training.
Mario Genovese :
Psychological preparation management for competition. |
|
|
 |
|
 |
TTA Students at FISEC Games 2009 - Portugal
17th - 23rd July 2009
 
from left to right: Marcus Portelli (TTA), Andrea Portelli (TTA), Paul Dawson (Coach), James Dawson (TTA), Chris Attard (TTA)
Malta was represented in the FISEC Games 2009 held in Portugal by an all TTA players team.
European Youth Championships 2009, Czech Republic
10th - 19th July 2009
 
from left to right: Daniel Bajada, Andrew Gambina (TTA), Daniel Vella Fondacaro (TTA), Kevan Azzopardi (MTTA JEC)
Express Trailers - Official Sponsors of TTA 2009 Summer School
July 2009
Express Trailers are the official sponsors of the Table Tennis Academy Summer School.
 |
from left to right:
Edward Baldacchino, Antoine Vella, Mario Genovese |
 |
|
TTA Students at the MTTA Junior National Championships
June 2009
Boys U13 Singles
winner - Andrea Portelli |
Boys U13 Doubles
winners – Keith Vanhear / Dylan Zammit
runners up – Andrea Portelli / Jake Galea |
Girls U13 Singles
Runner up – Therese Genovese |
Boys U15 Singles
Runner up – Steve Bugeja |
Boys U15 Plate Event
Runner up – Ryan Tabone |
Boys U15 Doubles
winners – Andrew Gambina / Daniel Bajada
runners up – Steve Bugeja / James Dawson |
Boys U18 Singles
Runner up – Daniel Vella Fondacaro |
Boys U18 Doubles
Winners – Andrew Gambina / Daniel Bajada
Runners up – Daniel Vella Fondacaro / Matthew Micallef |
Girls U18 Singles
Runner up – Rosie Geraghty |
Boys U21 Plate Event
Winner – Daniel Portelli |
Boys U21 Doubles
Winners – Daniel Vella Fondacaro / Matthew Micallef |
|
Table Tennis Academy Coaches are Malta National Champions
June 2009
The university gymnasium was the venue for the 57th Senior National Table Tennis Championship, held at the end of June. Organized by the Malta Table Tennis Association, the event was a resounding success. Mario Genovese, head coach of the Table Tennis Academy, was once more declared National Seniors Champion, for a record 20th time, after a convincing win over upcoming Daniel Bajada. The doubles event was won by the dynamic duo Edwin Cotter and Edward Baldacchino, also coaches at the Table Tennis Academy. Runner up in the Men’s plate event was young Andrea Portelli who is a budding student at the Academy.
Edwin Cotter returns to Table Tennis Academy
June 2009
Summer season is with us, and once again the Table Tennis Academy welcomes Edwin Cotter to head this year’s summer school. Edwin is one of the top players in Melbourne, Australia and will once again return to Malta after having leaded a most successful school last summer. This annual event in the Academy calendar just keeps getting better – special sessions are held for rookie players, whilst the numerous seasoned players further hone their skills in preparation for the next season. |
|
ITTF Malta Junior Open - ITTF Junior Circuit, Cospicua
12 - 15 / March / 2009
Following the participation of our students in the EuroKids championships held in Malta in February, it was now time for the first ever Malta Junior Open.
Raul Calin, ITTF Global Junior Programme Director had this to say about the event:
“With the Prime Minister, we discussed the importance of hosting an event like the ITTF Junior Circuit for a country like Malta, where the national cadet and junior players can benefit from international exchange. Also we shared views for the future for hosting even major events as Malta possesses the potential to attract sport events and tourism at the same time.”
Academy students had the chance to participate and learn from this event that was organised by the MTTA.
The Academy aims to present more opportunities for our students and prepare our students to face more challenges in the future.
WE CONGRATULATE DANIEL VELLA FONDACARO who is the TTA top rated player, for his performance in the competition. Daniel managed to qualify through the initial rounds with a good show and was the strongest of the Maltese players. WELL DONE DANIEL !
Link to official reporting on ITTF website.
Table Tennis Academy Annual Awards
28/12/2008
The 2008 Annual Dinner of the TTA was held at the Maritim Antonine Hotel, Mellieha. The event was attended by numerous students and their families as well our honorary guests representatives from our main sponsors Powerade and Sports Experience. |
The night started off with presentation of trophies to the winners of the tournaments held during 2008 and certificates of attendance to the 2008 Summer School.
|
|
Presentation of certificates to students who attended the 2008 Summer School.
William Camilleri surprised the gathering by a speech prepared especially for the night. In this speech he thanked the coaches, the Academy Board and his fellow students for all that has been acheived through dedication of all involved. [Speech (pdf)]
|
| |
5 STAR Rating System
01/10/2008
The student base at the Academy has increased both in number and in quality of play. Thus the need was felt for a wider star rating system to continue to strengthen and improve the current system.
The introduction of the 5th Star Group is an important step forward in this direction. The Academy's TOP 8 players shall form this group and must strive to keep their place within the group.
5 Star Group – Top 8 players
4 Star Group – 9th to 20th position
3 Star Group – 21st to 30th position
2 Star Group – 31st position onwards
1 Star Group – formerly known as novices
- Players will be streamed in star groups according to the latest available TTA Ranking List.
- Entry level into the star groups for a new student is subject to the coaches’ discretion in view of maintaining a healthy competitive environment depending on comparative levels of play.
TTA Mission Statement
01/10/2008
At the start of the 2008/09 season, the TTA Mission Statement has been updated and approved by the Academy Board.
The mission of the TTA is:
- To provide an environment conducive to nurture, coach and develop aspiring table tennis players of all ages to achieve their goals by realizing their potential in the sport.
- To commit to creating a unique learning experience by providing affordable training activities in a safe, clean and inviting environment through the use of technically sound, innovative and internationally recognized training strategies and practices.
- To focus on our students’ attainment of physical and mental health combined with the technical skills needed to succeed competitively.
- To have fun while never compromising the welfare and safety of our students.
Index
TTA Executive Board Members
01/10/2008
Board formed during meeting held on 1st October 2008 at Civil Service Sports Club.
Mario Genovese & Edward Baldacchino - Coaching Directors
Katia Mifsud - Executive Secretary & Website Manager
Tony Vella - Treasurer & Membership Secretary & Equipment Manager
Lucienne Portelli - Public Relations & Medical Advisor
Alex Soler - Assistant Coach & Tournament Director
Alex Anastasi - Assistant Coach
Erik Nordlander & Edwin Cotter -
International Coaching Correspondents
|
