New Chapter for Ryan Jenkins
24th July 2020
Following a distinguished 11-year tenure, Ryan Jenkins looks forward to a new chapter in his career after making the decision to leave Table Tennis Wales to pursue new challenges. Ryan joined Table Tennis Wales in 2009 as the National Coach and feels the time is right for a new direction.
Ryan’s experience in high-performance was honed at an early age when he made his playing debut on the international scene when only 13 years old. As a 14-year-old he was invited to the Welsh Squad and at 16 years old, he moved to Denmark for two years to play in the Danish first league. Ryan achieved a silver medal alongside Adam Robertson at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games and 5 further medals at the Commonwealth Championships. Domestically, he has also been crowned Welsh national men’s singles champion 12 times and British champion twice.
Known as a massive advocate for the sport, he is at his happiest when he is involved in table tennis and in 2009, he turned his attention to coaching and succeeded Alan Griffiths as the Welsh National Coach. During this time, Ryan has brought the same energy and passion as his playing and he has had considerable successes with Charlotte Carey and Anna Hursey.
Charlotte Carey progressed to no.98 on the Women’s World Rankings (July 2018), having alongside Chloe Thomas and Megan Phillips gained bronze in the women’s team event at the 2015 Commonwealth Championships in India.
Anna Hursey won gold at the 2017 European Mini Championships and in July 2018, she reached no.13 on the Under 15 Girls’ World Rankings. Anna was also only 11 years old when she was the youngest athlete on duty at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. During this tournament teammate Josh Stacey won bronze in the men’s singles class 6-10 para event.
More recently, Ryan has led the coaching team through a redesign of the Table Tennis Wales performance framework, to ensure it aligns with the organisation’s strategy and the direction of Sport Wales. This work will provide important foundations for longer term success of our players on the Welsh squad pathway.
Ryan has achieved legendary status as a Welsh player and now he has also left a long-standing coaching legacy in Wales which has been appreciated by the table tennis community in Wales and far beyond.
Nicki Arthur, TTW Chair says: “Ryan has always been a valued member of the Table Tennis Wales’ family and he will be sadly missed for his expertise and passion that he holds for the sport and coaching. I know this has been a very difficult decision for him, so I understand that it is the right time for him to explore his future and wish him every success in what he decides to do next.”
“He has left a lasting legacy and of course the door is always open in whatever capacity it is to join us in the future. Ryan has very much contributed to get Table Tennis on the map in Wales, so you should be very proud of your achievements, as we are to be part of them. The very best of luck”.
Looking ahead, Ryan still has plenty to give to table tennis and says:
“It has been a real honour to lead my Nation for such a long time. I wish the players and the coaches the very best in the future and I will continue to track their results going forward. My next move is yet to be decided, however it will certainly be in table tennis, the sport I love”
Ryan’s official leaving day is 17th August 2020 after a phased handover, and everyone at Table Tennis Wales wishes Ryan all the best in his next exciting career adventure, where undoubtedly he will flourish.
The end