Table Tennis Victoria (TTV) players have had a busy year, with five visits to the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) for tailored VIS Experiences. Each one gave young players a closer look at what it takes to perform at an elite level, and we hope to see some of these young faces back at the VIS as athletes themselves one day.
Starting young
The year kicked off with the 2026 TTV Junior State Team Program, which brought the under-11 and under-13 state representatives together for a taste of what life as an elite athlete could look like as they continue to develop. The highlight was learning how to fuel their bodies and how their diet can support their performance on and off the table. In the nutrition session, participants learned about food ingredients and how to read a food label correctly, then selected foods to pack a healthy recovery meal. The timing was perfect, as many had come straight from training and were ready to refuel. The main purpose of creating this experience was to inspire the group. They are at the very beginning of their sporting journey, and it’s a great opportunity to show them what could be waiting for them down the track.
Stepping it up
The other four visits, spread throughout the year, were split between two age groups: 12-14-year-olds and 15-17-year-olds, with two sessions each.
The first session for each group opened with a presentation from VIS Judo athlete Ryley Rametta, who shared her sporting journey and how she now competes at the top of her sport. Rametta may not be from the same sport, but athletes can share the same mindset and diligence across many sports. Next up was a nutrition session with one of our sports dietitians, where participants packed their own recovery meals. It was similar to the junior program, but with more detailed explanations. Again, the timing was great, with everyone getting some food in after their own training.
Building on the basics
A few weeks later, the groups returned for a second session that built on what they’d learned. This time, a strength and conditioning component showed them how to warm up and cool down effectively for different environments, and how to get creative with just a resistance band, something they can take straight back to their own training.
The sessions also included time with Grace Claringbold, one of the VIS Performance Lifestyle Advisers, who talked through the importance of goal setting and how to map out where they want to go in their sport and beyond.
Across all five visits, these young players arrived curious and left with practical tools they can use straight away. Thank you to TTV for bringing the groups through, and we look forward to welcoming them back.
If you want your team or group to experience the same inspiration and hands-on learning, book your own VIS Experience today. Let us help you create a memorable day that could spark the next generation of athletes.
Book one of VIS Experiences now!
