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When it comes to table tennis, Australia and the USA have a number of things in common. Both countries are languishing well down the ranks in the men's side of the game, with their best years taking place more than 20 years ago. Both countries have stronger women's teams due to Chinese imports - the USA has Gao Jun and Wang Chen, Australia have Miao Miao, Jian Fang Lay, and Stephanie Sang. And it could be argued that both countries are struggling to find a national training program that will help catapult their home grown players up the world rankings in future years.
Australia's Mark Smythe, a successful junior coach and former top level Australian representative, has written a Discussion Paper regarding the Australian National Table Tennis Training Program, hoping to help give Table Tennis Australia options to consider when deciding on the direction it needs to take in assisting Australia's elite table tennis players. Mark has obviously given the situation much thought, and I believe much of what he says is applicable to USA table tennis as well. Check out Mark's ideas for yourself - it's not often you get to read what a former top level player has to say on the subject.
Oh yes, one final thing. The Discussion Paper was written on 4th February 2008, and was presented to Table Tennis Australia. It's now the 30th April, and apparently Mark has yet to receive a response from TTA. Perhaps they are busy discussing it among themselves?
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