Wallis and Futuna holds ITTF Development Week
July 30, 2017
Wallis and Futuna, located an hour away from Fiji, has a population of just 12,000 people, and although rugby and volleyball are two of the most popular sports on the islands, they may have some competition soon.
A year ago they discovered table tennis and since then its popularity has been on the rise.
Helping to drive the push is New Caledonia’s Cathy Gauthier, who recently conducted a week long ITTF development project on the islands. A training camp, coaching course and a development sessions within primary schools were included in the program.
With 160 people taking part it was huge success, particularly within the schools. A new generation of table tennis players in the region is on the horizon.
“We even hear within primary schools hallways that they prefer the small ball!” Cathy Gauthier
Wallis and Futuna will be looking to compete at the 2017 New Caledonia Open and the 2017 Pacific Mini Games, as well as a history making first showing at the 2018 ITTF-Oceania Championships.
