“What is said or seen, is only a fraction of what is actually done!” Eli Baraty – Table Tennis Coach
My Journey
Beginnings Inspired by Forrest Gump (1996-2000)
It all began with a film called Forrest Gump, back in the year 1996, I had decided there and then that Table Tennis would play a huge part in my life. I started the journey at a small table tennis club located in Hendon (north-west London). The club coach and manager was a middle-aged gentleman called Harold Ismaan. He coached me the basic strokes; rules of the game alongside backhand and forehand topspins and introduced me to local league. From the small club that had 4 butterfly tables, I progressed to another club called London Progress, at the time England’s leading table tennis club. There I quickly developed my game by watching many of England’s best players and top coaches (at the time). I decided to continue growing as a player and felt I needed more, this led me to one of Europe’s best tennis de table club’s in (France).
As a Table Tennis Player, I Dreamed of Becoming a World Champion One Day!
Pursuit of the World Champion Dream (2000-2007)
I was living my dream by playing full-time at a professional club based in France (Paris) My Club, and the dream of becoming a (World Champion) was in full swing. All dreams are achievebale in my personal opinion but certain elements must be aligned inorder for a dream to become manifested. After a year in France, unfortunatley I realised that there was certain elemtns missing for me to truly achieve my ultimate goal so I came back to England and changed the course of my life. My English coach (Gideon Ashison) who also coached Darius Knight, offered me his coaching position at King’s College Wimbledon. This coaching role was the beggining of a new chapter in my life and one that would manifest into many wondeful opportunites and expriences, I coached at Wimbeldon for 4 years.
That position led me into a head coach position at Barnet Table Tennis Centre which catapulted my coaching success. I flourished at the club for another 4 years with lots of accolades and plenty of wonderful memories, including; Junior British League titles, lots of my players getting selected for England and international representation. I was hungry for more success and alongside Barnet TTC, I was asked to coach the England Youth Squad, which included; some of Englands finest players today such as Liam Pitchford, Tin Tin and Sam Walker.
Notable Achievements and Expanding Horizons (2007-2017)
Due to my experiences and success, I was headhunted for a role as Head Coach at The Harefield Table Tennis Academy. A full-time table tennis programme alongside education at a public school that had onsite boarding facilities. More details below
Spreading Table Tennis knowledge and Experience (FreeLance Table Tennis Coach)
After 16 years of coaching alongside local, national and international coaching experiences, I decided to become a Free Lance Table Tennis Coach. This role enables me to coach; Privately 121 coaching, Group coaching, club coaching, corporate events and more. a coach for all I call it, which allows me to share my knowledge and experiences with anyone and everyone. I work; alongside Table Tennis clubs, I host Table Tennis training camps, I am invited as a guest coach all over England and internationally.
Next Page => Coaching at Barnet TTC & England Squad