Unlike many of the teams that compete in local table tennis, Scouters functions like a club and its impact is felt even outside the annual team championships. They already host two major table tennis tournaments and there are plans to further develop projects.
Following two years of back to back Premier League titles, Scouters have remained one of the top teams and has boasted players of the quality of Mark Dowell, Junior Evelyn, Aluko Bascombe and Bryan Matthews. In this week’s Community Corner, Matthews, who is the manager of the club, speaks to SUNSPORT’S Philip Hackett and gives some insight into the club’s mission and its vision for table tennis in Barbados.
HACKETT: You are one of the more energetic and visible club leaders around the table tennis circuit. What started your association with the Scouters club?
MATTHEWS: I took over the club when I was approached by Ann Reid back in 2008 or 2009. It was a great opportunity to use an existing brand and develop it. I liked the fact that it had some history.
HACKETT: What are some of the key elements involved in developing a table tennis club and what makes your players stand out?
MATTHEWS: Scouters team members are expected to show a high level of commitment to training. When senior players lose their focus for whatever reason, the team suffers. Sometimes they have to fight against real problems such as unemployment. It is difficult to focus on table tennis, which is not a significant income earning activity, when struggling to find a job or to remain employed. Mark Dowell, a national champion, sets a good example in demonstrating commitment to training and love for the sport despite his own challenges of a similar nature.
HACKETT: Scouters not only compete at the domestic level but your club organises tournaments and also offers prize money. What drives this mission and how is it maintained?
MATTHEWS: The Top 20 and Top 10 tournaments are designed to help players meet their true potential. We have recently introduced a Top 10 for the ladies as well. Next year Scouters will be looking to recruit a ladies team. We sustain ourselves and our projects mainly through fundraising. I also have the contacts which enable me to benefit from discounts on some types of equipment.
As we continue to raise funds we will seek to drive more activities with the hope of attracting sponsorship because of our vision and not just for the sake of sponsoring players. We can then work with that sponsor to make the vision a reality.
HACKETT: So how do you see table tennis, and Scouters in particular, impacting on life in today’s society?
MATTHEWS: Youth development is my drive. Table tennis has been tremendous to me in developing me as a person and helping me to achieve my goals. I would like to see other young people use table tennis for the same purpose. It makes you stronger mentally. I have tried to focus more on the juniors. That’s why I added the Division 2 team with Ramon Maxwell and Jalani Miller.
HACKETT: What are some of the other projects Scouters will be working towards?
MATTHEWS: We will be striving to send our team to get some regional and international experience next year. Only players who are committed and focused will be selected. A few juniors who are not on our team may be selected as well. It is not unusual for us to help players outside the club. Tyrese Knight is not a member of our club but I try to assist with his development in a variety of ways.
We would also like to start a professional coaching programme but only with the blessings of the Barbados Table Tennis Association. We would also want to get the schools and corporate Barbados involved.
I am an ITTF Level 2 coach and Mark is Level 1. We would like to use our skills to develop the sport and earn some funds mainly for Scouters as well. Right now it is our aim to launch the coaching programme on November 1, which leaves us with a little less than a month to finalise plans. We will start promoting this very shortly.