Coaching
At Dumfries TTC we have a dedicated group of coaches who are able to assist players from complete beginners to those who compete at national standard. All our licensed coaches are members of Disclosure Scotland’s Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme for working with children and protected adults.
We currently operate weekly coaching classes on Monday evening for Beginners from 18.00 – 19.00 and Intermediates 19.00 – 20.00. The cost is £3 per session for club members, or £4 for non-members. Email coaching@dumfriesttc.co.uk if you are interested in taking part in these.
Our Level 2 coaches Shannon Brown and Dawid Sulkowski offer 1-1 sessions, as do some of our other coaches. To contact them or to find out more about what’s involved, email coaching@dumfriesttc.co.uk. Or come along to any of the club’s open sessions for a chat.
There are also opportunities for players who are progressing well in the intermediate class to work with our head coach Dylan De Silva in a smaller group.
If you are interested in getting involved with coaching at Dumfries TTC we would be delighted to hear from you.
The coaching team at Dumfries TTC
Head Coach – Dylan De Silva
Lead Coach – Senga Thomson
Senga is a UKCC level 3 qualified coach. She has vast experience of table tennis and has played all over the world. She also helps train table tennis coaches by delivering regular UKCC courses across Scotland. Senga currently leads most of our beginners and intermediate classes on Mondays.
Coach Supervisor – Norma Brown
Norma is a UKCC level 1 coach who had success as a junior and then returned to table tennis when her daughter Shannon began playing. She is involved with coaching admin, especially on Monday evenings, and occasionally assists at sessions.
Lead Coach – Shannon Brown
Shannon is a UKCC level 2 coach with a special commitment to coaching our juniors. She is one of Scotland’s top juniors and has represented the country. Shannon is available for 1-1 sessions for those really looking to push on in the sport.
Lead Coach – Dawid Sulkowski
Dawid is a recent welcome addition to our coaching strength – and our National League team! He is a UKCC level 2 qualified coach, with a BSc (Hons) in Sports Coaching and Physical Education and 11 years coaching experience. As well as leading our Thursday evening elite training, he is available for 1-1 coaching
Coach – David Denholm
David’s main passion is tennis where he works with the national disability squad, however he is a superb table tennis coach as well and works with our disability group on Saturday morning. See more about his inspirational work in this video from ITV’s Border Life
Coach – Kay Solaja
Kay is a UKCC level 1 qualified coach. Kay has been involved with coaching at the club for nearly two decades and still enjoys helping our youngsters progress in the sport. Kay also works closely with our disability group that runs on Saturday mornings.
Coach – Graeme Boyd
Graeme has recently qualified as a UKCC level 1 coach and assists with our Monday evening coaching
Assistant coaches
Reuben De Silva helps Dawid with our Thursday evening elite training sessions
Assistant coaches
Gordon Duff is our club chairman but also turns his hand to coaching, particularly helping out with 1-1 sessions with some of our older players. Gordon has also run a successful outreach class at Lochmaben that has encouraged youngsters from this area to come to the club.
Visiting coaches
Danny Bajwa who is part of the Men’s national team cut his teeth at the club having worked with Dylan De Silva and other coaches at Dumfries. Currently studying in Glasgow, Danny returns to Dumfries regularly and comes to help out at the club when he can. As well as being a UKCC level 2 coach, his experience and ability means he can offer high level of coaching to those who want to get some advanced tips and advice and he is available for 1-1’s when he is in Dumfries – particular during university holidays.
