Fourteen-year-old Hamish was one of a bunch of South West Academy of Sport (SWAS) table tennis squad members who took lessons from the master this week.

Hamish impressed Rosario with his reliable back-hand during the two-day camp in Warrnambool yesterday and Monday.

“His control is fantastic,” Rosario said.

“He has really come on in the past six months. Things are really starting to click. We’ve been working on developing his power, his technical ability and the use of his legs.”

Hamish has been part of the Warrnambool Table Tennis Association (WTTA) since he was nine and is an original member of the SWAS squad.

The Warrnambool College student narrowly missed out on state selection last year, which should provide extra incentive this season.

SWAS program manager Mark Taylor said Hamish had the ability to represent Victoria.

“He is certainly playing well enough,” Taylor said.

“He has just got to jump through enough hoops and play enough tournaments.”

Rosario has conducted regular workshops in Warrnambool for the past three years.

He assists young talent and offers advice to coaches.

Rosario said he noticed huge improvements each time he visited. “The attitude to training has changed,” he said.

“There has been a big culture shift. Players are training intensively for a longer period of time.”

SWAS table tennis squad members Ben Taylor, Kieren McDowell, Daniel Roberts, Josh Jantosh and Chandler Jantosh also took part in the program.