Staff

The ITTA currently employ a team of two staff.

Chief Operations Officer of the ITTA is Darren Coombes, a multiple graduate of both the National University of Ireland Maynooth and the Open University. He holds a strong interest in the areas of equality and diversity within sport and the power of positive social change that sport can provide.

Prior to joining the ITTA, Darren spent three years working at management level within the public service. Darren also worked as National Referee Recruitment Officer for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) where he amassed significant experience at executive level. Particular focus in these years for Coombes was to increase participation and encourage volunteer development and retention. Darren’s passion for sport is illustrated by his role as a referee on the FAI Airtricity League match officials’ panel. He was also a FIFA International Futsal Referee in 2011.

His core focus is to increase participation at all levels within Table Tennis and work in tandem with the Board to provide a top quality service to the members of the Association within the framework proposed in the ITTA Strategic Plan 2008-2012.

Women in Sport Co-Ordinator is Rhona Daly. 

Women in Sport Coordinator Rhona Daly is a graduate of both the University of Limerick and University of Glasgow.  Prior to joining the ITTA, Rhona worked as a project manager for a leading clinical research company but her real passion has always been for sport. As a FIFA referee she has officiated at many top international matches and tournaments and understands the vital role sport can play in the lives of women. She was previously involved in the Women in Sport Programme within the Football Association of Ireland where she helped inspire women who had left the sport to become involved again through refereeing, coaching and volunteering.

Rhona’s particular area of interest is in understanding the reasons why women opt out of sport in their teenage years. In her role as Women in Sport Coordinator she wishes to focus on encouraging women to stay involved in table tennis either socially or competitively and to see them gain the benefits of participation.