Richmond, July 28, 2025 — For the third time, Table Tennis Canada, through the EDI Committee, has organized a National Girls Training Camp, bringing together 19 players between 10 and 17 years old from across the country. More precisely, players from eight provinces and one territory came together at the majestic venue of the 2010 Olympic Games long track skating event, the Richmond Olympic Oval, from July 24 to 27, 2025.
The main objective of this camp was to allow the girls to come together, get to know each other, create bonds, have fun, and train as a group. This year’s edition welcomed a number of very young athletes (under 12 years old), for whom it was their first training camp experience. Another objective was to provide our young coaches, part of the Women Coach Mentorship Program, with an opportunity to plan, coach, and deliver six table tennis sessions, and supervise young athletes throughout the camp.
The unique format was designed to integrate the NCCP Competition Development course into the four training days. The first two mornings of the camp were dedicated to this course, delivered masterfully by Marles Martins, one of the leads for coach development at Table Tennis Canada. Our five mentee coaches were joined by four others, three from BC and one from NB. These nine coaches also took part in two afternoon sessions as part of the practical coaching component, under the supervision of Marles Martins. The six table tennis sessions led by our five mentees were also supported during the camp by Marles and, prior to the camp, by Mariann Domonkos, mentor of the mentorship program. We would also like to thank Joe Li (Zhaoyu Li), volunteer coach from Alberta, and Louise Fan, Olivia Huang, Jayme Li, and Amy Zuo for their support as sparring partners from BC.
The young table tennis players took part in six training sessions. In addition, they enjoyed a yoga session led by Coach Iryna Shevchenko and learned a fun choreography taught by coach and super-dancer Phuong Nguyen. And that’s not all! The players had time for skating, climbing one of the tallest climbing walls in BC (18 meters), a guided tour of the Oval, and interactive fun at the Olympic Experience exhibition. They also participated in a photo shoot and wrote postcards to thank camp supporters, including parents and coaches. To top it off, the group visited downtown Vancouver and rode the SkyTrain.
The players left with great memories and a few gifts: an event t-shirt, a very special medal, a gift exchange, and a Team Canada hat. These four action-packed days were appreciated by both participants and coaches. Here are some participant comments:
Coach Iryna said:
“I’m truly grateful to Table Tennis Canada for organizing this wonderful training camp. It was more than just a sport event, it felt like a growing tradition that brings together young athletes from across the country, builds lasting friendships, and strengthens our table tennis community. It was inspiring to see not only the athletic progress but also the positive relationships developing between the girls. It was also a joy to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones who share the same passion and commitment to the sport. The variety of activities outside the table were a great addition and showed that this camp supports well-rounded development. For us coaches, it was also a valuable experience to share, learn, and grow together.”
Thorsten Gohl, Board Member, Chair of Coach Development, and member of the EDI Committee, shared:
“This camp wasn’t just about performance, it was about presence. Seeing athletes and coaches grow side by side, in confidence, in leadership, in community, was a powerful reminder of why we do this work. We’re not just building players, we’re shaping spaces where everyone feels they belong.”
Athlete and parent comments included:
“I loved the camp. Everything was great!”
“It was a really fun experience, and I met so many new people.”
“Thank you for a wonderful experience! My daughter made friends at the camp and had lots of fun. She tried her best to participate in all activities because she felt safe and included.”
“Thanks to everyone’s involvement in making the camp so enjoyable!”
“It was really fun, and I loved the activities.”
We warmly thank the financial contribution of Sport Canada and the support of the Table Tennis Canada Board, without whom this camp would not have taken place. Special thanks as well to the entire coaching and management team, Richmond Sport Hosting for their grant support and to the Richmond Olympic Oval staff for welcoming us into their amazing venue.
