Site Products
Members of the ITTF Level Two Course in Austin with fifth from left Richard McAfee

Farewell Samoa, Next Stop Austin, Music to the Ears of Richard McAfee

Farewell Samoa, Next Stop Austin, Music to the Ears of Richard McAfee
Courtesy of ITTF

A month long visit to the Pacific to conduct an Olympic Solidarity supported Developing a National Sports Structure Course in Samoa; Richard McAfee of the United States concluded his visit Friday June 12th.

In need of a rest, not at all; one of the most active Course Conductors within the ever growing ITTF Development Program, the American was back in action just over one week after waving goodbye to his new found friends on the island Upolu; only this time he was in more familiar surroundings.

An explanation from Richard McAfee to an attentive groupHe was in Austin, the capital of the state of Texas to conduct an ITTF Level Two Coaches Course; proceedings started on Sunday June 21st and concluded on Friday June 26th in a city that was no stranger to such initiatives.

Previously Austin had staged two ITTF/PTT Level One Courses and two ITTF Level Two Courses.

Music Capital of World
“The city of Austin enjoys the title of, “the music capital of the World”; it is also the home of one of the United States top table tennis clubs”, explained Richard McAfee. “The Austin Table Tennis Club was just recently names as an USA Table Tennis, National Center of Excellence.”

Undoubtedly it is a thriving organization; it was the venue for the Level Two course.

“The Austin Table Tennis Club is a full-time table tennis center with a large membership and lots of programs for players at all levels”, continued Richard McAfee. “It features 16 tables, wood flooring, excellent lights and air-conditioning, pro-shop, and a great lounge area.”

It proved a quite ideal venue; arguably somewhat different the challenges Richard McAfee had faced in Samoa where makeshift tables were the order of the day.

Two Coaches From Abroad
“This year’s Level Two Course was small, with only eight participants; however two foreign coaches were present, one from Bermuda and one from Costa Rica.”, added Richard McAfee. “The ITTF Level Two Course is an intense six day course; coaches spend the day training hard and spend their nights in study preparing for the two required exams.”

Hard work but it would seem efforts were rewarded.

Positive Results
“The result of all their hard work was a high pass rate but the coaches are not done yet as each has to return home and complete the required 50 hours of coaching practice with supervision before achieving ITTF Level Two certification.”, concluded Richard McAfee.

A successful course and now bags packed; back to Samoa in July to the island of Savai’i.

Latest News

Playing Kids

July 8, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) Let’s face it; they’re probably faster than you. They might have a coach working with… Read More

#2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down The Line

July 7, 2025
[[Feature] [Special Feature] American Stars! Jha’s Strengths #2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down… Read More

United States Smash: Tight Scores and a Big Upset in Early Action

July 7, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Action is underway in the main round of the United States Smash, the… Read More

MLTT Featured Team: Bay Area Blasters

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) The Bay Area Blasters plan to blast through the upcoming Major League Table… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Established in 2002, Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association (CUSTTA) is Alberta’s largest Table Tennis… Read More

Butterfly Players Shine at the 2025 US National Table Tennis Championships

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) The 2025 U.S. National Table Tennis Championships is one of the premiere annual… Read More

US Nationals Recap

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The US National Table Tennis Championships is in the books.  One of America’s premiere events… Read More

United States Smash: Qualifiers are Finished and the Main Draw Begins Today

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) Americans made waves in the qualifying rounds of the United States Smash, the… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.