Meet the champion-making coach, Gordon Fearn

From a youth club beginner to coaching Paralympic and national champions, Gordon Fearn has built a career on simplifying complexity and inspiring players to grow

“I started playing table tennis around 13,” he recalls. “My neighbour invited me to a youth club run by Dave Fairholm, who was a county coach. I was into football more, but I gave it a go – and stuck with it because the challenge intrigued me. Unlike team sports, table tennis puts any improvement squarely on my shoulders.”

That desire to understand improvement – and help others achieve it – led Fearn to coaching by the age of 18. Since then, he’s accumulated qualifications in several sports, worked across schools, clubs and national projects, and coached champions at national and Paralympic level.

But his love for table tennis stands out. “It’s a brilliant sport because it’s simple to pick up and so technical under the surface. Spin, rubbers, angles, tactics – there’s a real depth to it. But as a coach, your job is to simplify complexity.”

That philosophy has guided Fearn through a long and varied career, including roles with Table Tennis England, mentoring for governing bodies, and running his own coaching platform, Know The Game. He combines hands-on sessions with coach education, and his multidisciplinary background – in football, athletics, squash, tennis – helps him bring a broad movement-based perspective.

From pillars to post

“Fundamentals of Movement – balance, agility, coordination – are critical,” he says. “Whether I’m coaching table tennis or mentoring a rugby coach, these basics underpin everything. The transfer of learning across sports is massive.”

Table tennis is a brilliant sport because it’s simple to pick up and so technical under the surface

Fearn’s sessions revolve around four pillars: bat and ball skills, table awareness, self-awareness, and opponent awareness. He encourages players to take ownership of their development, with themed technical work embedded in fun, match-relevant environments. “It’s their session. My job is to ask good questions and guide reflection.”

His coaching CV includes Paralympic gold medallist James Rawson, Racketlon world champion Isabelle Bramhall, and national title winners Georgina Walker and Emma Vickers – all of whom he remains close to.

“That’s the real reward – the relationships. You go on a journey with players, you watch them grow, and that stays with you. It’s never just about medals.”

Fearn took a break from coaching in his 20s to avoid burnout – “juggling a full-time job and evening coaching took its toll” – but returned re-energised, with a deeper interest in sports psychology and self-reflection. It marked a turning point: “I became a better coach when I stopped thinking I had to have all the answers.”

His drive to improve hasn’t wavered. He’s embraced risk, too – leaving a steady job to pursue a three-year coaching contract with Nottinghamshire County Council. “It was a leap, but it led to amazing things – training, projects, likeminded people. When the contract ended, I had the foundation to go freelance.”

So how can newcomers get started? “Just play – anywhere. Use a bat at home, at the park, or at school. Then look up local clubs through Table Tennis England. Our club, West Bridgford in Nottingham, runs sessions twice a week. For kids with ambition, daily practice comes later – but always enjoy it first.”

And the gear? “A good beginner bat like the Palio Expert is great. Comfortable handle, bit of bounce – avoid the really cheap ones. We recycle advanced players’ rubbers for newbies sometimes. But don’t rush. Ask your coach.”

Off the table, Fearn encourages young players to build all-round athleticism. “Reaction games, tag, cricket, badminton – all help. Specialising too early can lead to injury or burnout. Build the base first.”

Through it all, Gordon Fearn remains a coach who knows his game – and more importantly, knows how to help others know theirs.

MASTER THE FUNDAMENTALS