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Nottingham Clarion Achieve Clubmark Status

Posted: 6th June

East Midlands Go-Ride club Nottingham Clarion have achieved Clubmark Status after three years of continual development as a successful junior setup.

The process began three years ago as senior members of the club decided to give their full support to the development of a youth section.

A base was established at Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Centre as it offers young riders an ideal traffic free cycling venue, while its many paths and woodland trails so close to the city are also an ideal place for British Cycling's Go-ride Coach Steve Crosland to base Holiday Programme Activities and Go-ride racing events.

Work done in local schools led to 22 children turning up on the club's first official Go-ride club night, several of those riders have since gone on to take part in Regional Schools of Racing events organised by Coach Rob Sharman.

Although the success of the Clarion as a Go-ride club is a team effort, according to local Go-Ride coach Steve Crosland, the work of Jenny and Paul Harwood deserves special recognition.

Jenny has been involved in all aspects of the clubs development, and has recently become a Level 2 Coach, allowing her to work alongside the Regional Go-ride Coach on both Holiday Coaching Programmes and School Coaching Sessions.

"Jenny does a great job at the school sessions, and helps to create the link from school to club," Crosland said of Jenny's efforts. "She talks to parents about club activities and supports the work I do to great effect."

The club has also benefitted from the help of Coach Karen Lifford who has helped to drive the club's Wednesday night coaching sessions, and has recently taken up a position with British Cycling.

In March Go-ride Coach Steve Crosland presented the Clubmark Certificate to Club President Tim Fahy at the club's base Holme Pierrepont. The presentation was attended by club members of all ages, who were joined by staff from Nottinghamshire and Rushcliffe County Council Sports Development and Holme Pierrepont. The club has received great support from both organisations in the setting up and further development of the club.