Year 4 coaching in Spain. Yukinori Matsumoto’s life as a coach

First half of the 2026 interview

Yukinori Matsumoto [Junior Coach, Spanish Table Tennis Federation]　

Matsumoto Yukinori, who had been with the strengthening department of the Japan Table Tennis Association, moved to Spain four years ago and began working as a coach.
In recent years, many Players have been taking part in the Spanish league, but what exactly is happening in Spain? We asked Matsumoto about his work and about Japanese Players working in Spain.

[Yukinori Matsumoto]
Born September 8, 1987, from Hyogo Prefecture. He started Table tennis at Sonoda Taku Ken, finished in the top 8 in the Inter-High team event at Takigawa Daini High School, and posted a 36-12 record in the Kansai student league at Kinki University, where he received a special award. After graduation, he worked at a private company, then became general affairs staff for the Japan Table Tennis Association’s Elite Academy, and also served as a practice Opponent for the national team. In 2022, he moved to Spain and, after gaining experience in the Spanish league as a Player, worked as a junior coach for the Spanish Table Tennis Federation and as head coach of the U13 national team. He currently lives in Barcelona

Four years after moving to Europe, appointment as U13 girls’ national team head coach, and the current state of player development in Spain

Sometimes we go out to other clubs, and other times we bring Players together in Barcelona

●−How many years has it been since you moved to Barcelona?

Matsumoto　I’ve just entered my fourth year. Right now, I’m based at the National Training Center (CAR) in Barcelona, where I mainly coach junior girls. That said, a few Players have moved up to the senior level over the years, so together with the other coaches, I also take care of coaching them and serving as a practice Opponent.

As for the kids who come to train at the facility every day, there isn’t a clear division between junior and senior; it feels more like they’re organized by area. In addition to the Players who stay there and live in camp-style training, I coach Players who rent apartments nearby and commute in.

●−Is that National Training Center similar to Japan’s National Training Center (NTC) in Akabane?

Matsumoto　Yes, it’s a comprehensive facility where Players from various sports gather. What’s very different from Japan’s JOC Elite Academy, however, is that the grounds also include an actual junior high school and high school. It’s similar to France’s INSEP (National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance). They also have physical therapists, a medical team, nutritionists, biomechanics specialists, and everything else you’d expect.

●−How many Table tennis tables are set up there?

Matsumoto　There are 10 Table tennis tables. Basically, the Barcelona center is for women only, and the men’s training center is in Madrid.

●−From your messages and social media, it always seems like you’re on the road a lot. Between WTT youth events and training camps, your schedule must be packed.

Matsumoto　The training camps really vary a lot. Sometimes we go out to other clubs, and other times we bring Players together in Barcelona. Since September 2025, I’ve been serving as head coach of the Spanish U13 girls’ national team.
●−That’s a promotion, a smooth step up in your career!

Matsumoto　I don’t know whether it’s a promotion or just a shortage of staff haha. I’m in charge of girls under 13 and younger. I sometimes also help with the boys, but basically it’s the girls, so I’m keeping pretty busy right now.