GREATEST AUSTRALIAN TABLE TENNIS COACH - ERIC COSTER

Published Fri 17 Dec 2021

The 1979 World Table Tennis Championships were held from April 25 to May 6, 1979 in Pyongyang, North Korea.

The Australian Men's Table Tennis Team coached by Eric Coster finished 12th at the 1979 World Championships and was consisted of Paul Pinkewich, Stephen Knapp, Bob Tuckett, Neil Ward and Robbie Javor. The world ranking of 12 is the highest an Australian Team has ever attained.

                                           

In the last match against Denmark, the Aussies trailed 4-2 before digging deep to win the last three rubbers and record a historic 5-4 victory. Pinkewich and Knapp claimed two wins apiece and Tuckett saved his best for last, winning the deciding rubber against Denmark king pin Claus Pederson.

                                 

With Eric as the coach of the Australian Men's Team from 1975 to1979, the Australian Men's Team World Ranking improved from: Ranking 29 in 1973, to Ranking 18 in 1975, to Ranking 14 in 1977 and to Ranking 12 in 1979, which is still the highest an Australian Team has ever attained.

                         

Eric coached the Australian Men's Team and won multiple international medals: one bronze medal at the Asian Championships in 1978; and one gold medal, 4 silver medals and 4 bronze medals at the Commonwealth Championships from 1975-1979. Eric was responsible for pioneering training camps for the National Team, and played a prominent role as Coach and Mentor for all team members of the generation including Paul Pinkewich, Steve Knapp, Bob Tuckett, Robbie Javor and Neil Ward and played a considerable role in the success of the Men’s Team.                  

                  

As an iconic Australian coach, on 18 January 2020 Eric became the first coach to be inducted into the TTA Hall of Fame, which recognises outstanding contributions made to table tennis in the fields of playing, coaching, officiating and/or administering the sport.

 

Eric’s notable achievements as a coach include, but are not limited to: his conduct characterised by demonstrating good sportsmanship, his acting within the spirit of the game, attitude and behaviour, his being a positive role model, his etiquette and adherence to the laws of the game is a positive example for others to follow. Eric is the first coach to be inducted in the TTA Hall of Fame (Coaches) category in Australian table tennis history.

 

       

 

The bond formed between Eric and the 1970’s Australian Men’s Team lasted a lifetime, with catch ups continuously taking place, the last of which was a few months ago. The team supported Eric and Eric supported the team through the good times and the tough times, both on and off the table, over more than 40 years.

         

Eric led the greatest Aussie team ever during 1971 - 1979,  and the Australian Men’s Team from 1979 is arguably the greatest ever national team, finishing 12th at the World Championships, with the team members going on to be icons of Australian table tennis: Paul Pinkewich with TTA Hall of Famer in 2 categories and TTA Life Member; Steve Knapp with TTA Hall of Famer and TTA Life Member; Bob Tuckett with TTA Hall of Famer and TTA Life Member; Robbie Javor and Neil Ward. Combined the quintet won 79 National Titles, 13 Oceania Titles and 66 international medals.

 

Vice President of TTNSW, Ted Davis, said “Eric Coster is not only the greatest coach in Australian table tennis history, and is also an innovative NSW table tennis administrator. Eric led the New South Wales Table Tennis Association in the role of President from 1982 to 1985, and, in addition, sat on various sub-committees over a 10-year period.  Eric was the Senior Selector of TTNSW in 1975 and 1983; the Junior Selector of TTNSW in 1975; the Coordinator of TTNSW Coaching Panel in 1981 and 1982; the Member of the TTNSW Coaching Committee in 1983; the Member of the TTNSW Promotions and Tours Committee in 1982 and 1983; and the Chair of the TTNSW Finance Committee in 1983.”

 

                           

 

Eric passed away on 12 December 2021 after battling illness for many years, and will be sadly missed and his contribution to New South Wales table tennis and Australian table tennis will never be forgotten.

Rest in peace, Eric.

 

 

David Lee and Michael Li wish to gratefully acknowledge Marie Pinkewich, Table Tennis NSW (TTNSW) and Table Tennis Australia (TTA).