German coach is hit by wealth of local talent

TABLE tennis players of all ages and abilities have benefited from training with one of Europe's top coaches. Martin Ostermann has been national coach of several countries including his native Germany and he was in the island last week holding training camps at the invitation of Guernsey Table Tennis Association president Derek Webb.

Having been a full-time coach for more than 20 years, the man from near Stuttgart knows his trade inside out and he was full of praise for the Sarnian set-up at the Hougue du Pommier headquarters.

'I am really impressed. The facilities you have got for a federation with only 200 or so members are unbelievable,' Ostermann said.

'I have seen many talented players here and have heard that the sport is growing quickly here.

'It is a good quality. They really concentrate, they listen carefully and try hard and are very well educated.'

Ostermann worked on some basic technical points with the younger groups and had sessions with the senior island teams.

He also brought two promising German players, Dirk Reuther and Kai Oechsle, with him for experience and he believes that there is talent in the island worthy of matching them should their development be handled correctly.

'They are of similar ability. The difference comes when you are getting older and the quality and quantity of training - that's what is important.'

Webb was 'very impressed' with Ostermann's methods and has picked up some new training ideas from the German.

He hopes that the initial visit will merely be the start of a long and fruitful association between the two parties.

'Hopefully Martin will come back in the first week of the school summer holiday and we will probably use him more for the elite players. This time, we looked to give as many kids a go as possible.

'Part of the plan with our sponsor, Deutsche Bank, was to bring coaches in from outside the island. As it has worked out, the German company has helped bring over a German coach.