Feature: British Cycling's Olympic Talent Programme

 

Words: Phil Ingham | Images: Eddie Allen

Posted: 8 June 2007 | Part 1

 

Part 2: Talent Team Road Camp Feature - Mallory Park May 2007

 

Launched back in 2002 as the Talent Team, the Olympic Talent Programme is now well-established as the first step on the ladder leading up to the GB Cycling Team. Aimed at 13 to 16 year olds, the Programme feeds the Olympic Development Programme (ODP), which is aimed at 17 to 18 year olds, which in turn feeds the under-23 Olympic Academy and the senior Olympic Podium Programme.

Despite early successes, the Talent Team was extensively reviewed and re-structured following the 2004 Athens Olympics. Prior to the re-structure, five regional managers, each with two coaches, ran the programme in England. The review, which was conducted by Chris Boardman, identified that the Talent Team's remit of going into schools and introducing them to the cycling through the developing Go-Ride programme, along with identifying and coaching riders in preparation for the GB Team's needs, was simply too wide.

The re-structure produced a tighter focus with six Olympic Talent Coaches in England, under the central management of Gary Coltman (pictured, above right), former Raleigh team manager and Road, Track and Mountain Bike pro. This team was dovetailed with a new Development structure of regional managers and Go-Ride coaches, who concentrate on grass-roots development work and building strong links between schools and clubs.

Phil West in action: he's one of eight facility-based Olympic Talent Coaches

The re-structure gave Gary Coltman and his team a more deliverable remit, working closely with and preparing riders for the Olympic Development Programme. One of key changes which came out of the review was the decision to link the six Olympic Talent coaches to cycling facilities, enabling them to spend more time working with riders as well as travelling to races to see them perform.

Further developments of the Olympic Talent Programme's structure have continued since the initial post-Athens re-structure. These have included the addition of a sprint specific coach, Geoff Cooke and, with the confirmation that BMX would be an Olympic discipline, the appointment of Jeremy Hayes as a central BMX coach, working with four part-time coaches. As well as co-ordinating the session-delivery of his four coaches, Jeremy also takes riders to experience European racing, a key requirement for up-and-coming BMX riders. There's also a new Cross-Country mountain bike focus, with a small group of best riders in country attending MTB specific camps and competition, in addition to their other commitments within the programme.

As Gary says, "the re-structure basically split the job in half: the school development side is now to be handled by an improved, dedicated team of Go-Ride coaches and regional managers. And recently the talent coaches for Scotland and Wales came into the fold meaning we now have eight facility-based Olympic Talent Coaches around the UK, plus Geoff Cook and Jeremy Hayes with their discipline-specific remits."

 

Girls Allowed - many of the country's best young women riders have come through the programme

 

Gary also points out a subtle but significant change in the way his team now operates, compared to the pre-2004 Talent Team: "With the heavy emphasis on visiting schools, we were essentially running a talent identification programme - in other words we were looking outside the sport for riders. We are now focussed on talent selection: in other words we're looking within the sport itself for riders. We also talk about creating more continuity from 'playground to podium' and by linking what British Cycling's various departments do, I think the re-structure has pushed this process a long way forward and this is something we want to continue to develop through a closer working relationship with the clubs and regions".

Asked just exactly what sort of young riders the Olympic Talent Team is looking for, Gary Coltman says "The age range is 13 to 16 year olds and the riders are likely to already be active in the sport, though some are very new to the sport. Above all else they need to show desire and aptitude, but inexperience need not be a barrier."

So how does a young rider get onto the programme? Gary says "we offer places and you can also apply. We receive and encourage recommendations from club coaches but up until now it's more often a case of our coaches spotting kids at clubs sessions and in competition and inviting them to attend some sessions."

Once on the programme, a rider may have a place for 2 to 3 years up to the age of 16. A rider's membership is under constant review during this period, but as Gary says, "it's all about commitment and the rider's desire to continue in the sport. They must also attend training sessions and camps. But above all else, they must learn to communicate with their coaches, both on the phone and through training diaries." All-in-all, there are up to 80 young riders on the programme at any one time.

And what kind of riders is the programme now producing? Gary explains that "We want riders leaving the Youth category to be as fast and skilful as possible. For example, they should be able to ride a Madison, but also be equipped with all the required skills to compete in a match sprint and ride crits really well."

 

 

Determination, focus and a desire to succeed - key qualities in younf riders

Skill is a recurring theme when you speak to Gary and he outlines the way that encouraging skill development in younger riders has moved up the priority list. "We will be looking to interact more with the clubs and help them help even younger riders get the skills. We believe that skill development is a great activity for younger riders at club level. The most technical disciplines, like the Madison, and match sprinting, work really well on playing fields. And the kids really enjoy it: it's competition, which they love. Learning skills like this at a very young age means we will be able to focus on letting Talent Team riders get on with their racing and developing tactical awareness."

If the Talent Team Programme is something you want to be part of, Gary has some key advice for young riders and their coaches and parents. "First of all, they should be in a good club - ideally a Go-Ride club - with good coaching and regular activities they can join in with. Secondly - and this is an open invitation - come and find your local Talent Team coaches at events and training sessions and introduce yourself: tell us about yourselves and make a link. I extend that invitation to club coaches as well: make yourselves known to our coaches and don't be afraid to network. We're increasingly asking club coaches to get involved in our sessions. But whether you're a rider or a coach, we are looking for people-people!"

So that's it - if you want to progress in the sport, the Olympic Talent Programme may just be for you. But you'll need to bring some outstanding qualities with you and not just pure physical talent. You'll also need to demonstrate the ability to work with people, and listen to and follow advice and you'll need a strong self-belief and be committed!

The Team

The Talent Team Programme's coaches are the first port of call for any talented and ambitious young rider - these are people with whom to network and to whom you must sell your talents as a cyclist:

Scotland: Gary Willis - garywillis@britishcycling.org.uk
Wales: Julian Winn - julianwinn@britishcycling.org.uk

NW: Frances Newstead - francesnewstead@britishcycling.org.uk
NE and Yorks: Phil West - philwest@britishcycling.org.uk
East Mids: Jenny Gretton - jennygretton@britishcycling.org.uk

West Mids: Tim Buckle - timbuckle@britishcycling.org.uk
South & SW: Stuart MacDonald -  stuartmacdonald@britishcycling.org.uk

SE: Stuart Blunt  - stuartblunt@britishcycling.org.uk

BMX: Jeremy Hayes - jeremyhayes@britishcycling.org.uk

Sprint: Geoff Cooke - geoffcooke@britishcycling.org.uk

Link: Talent Team Road Camp Feature - Mallory Park May 2007