BMX Olympic Development Programme Now Recruiting
Olympic Development Programme & Olympic Academy Programme BMX Applications 2008 / 2009
Download the 2008 BMX ODP Application Form
The Great Britain Cycling Team's Olympic BMX Development Programme & Olympic BMX Academy Programme’s are inviting applications from ambitious and skilled BMX athletes, both male and female, aged between 16 and 24 in 2009 (Date of Birth between 1985 – 1993).
To be successful in your application you must demonstrate:
- Results - at national / international level BMX races
- Test performances - ergometer or similar
- Attitude - why you are applying, where your ambitions lie, understanding of what it takes
- Commitment & Discipline
- Commitment to a 7 days a week residential BMX based training and racing programme in Manchester (for Academy Programme Athletes)
Olympic Development Programme
The Olympic Development Programme (ODP) provides developing BMX riders with the support they need to become world class athletes. This includes the coaching support of Grant White and the British Cycling BMX program coaches, along with sports science support from the English Institute of Sport.
The programme revolves around residential training camps (which will include camps with Academy and Podium riders), Coach Led Racing and racing experiences which are all organised alongside academic commitments. This programme of training and competition is designed to bring riders to the standards that are required by the next programme along the pathway (Olympic Academy Programme).
Setting programmes around riders' educational needs is important, and is something the coaches take very seriously. With some riders at school and some not, this means the programme of training and racing varies from rider to rider. The camps, which are predominantly held during holiday periods, can range between 2 and 10 days. The longer camps in particular have proven in other British Cycling disciplines to be very beneficial in maximising development of a rider physically, technically and tactically.
Riders on the ODP have access via the coach to a range of support services. Whether it is advice on sports science, nutrition, injuries, or recovering from an illness - this is all arranged by the programme staff. The aim is to create a programme of progression for riders within an integrated team from youth rider to Olympic Champion.
Olympic Academy Programme
The BMX Academy Programme provides all the support needed for a rider to develop to the standard of an Olympic Podium Programme rider. This includes the coaching resources of the BMX podium programme, with direct access to Grant White and the British Cycling BMX program coaches, along with sports science support from the English Institute of Sport.
Expertise on strength & conditioning, nutrition, injuries, equipment and clothing is also tapped into and the Academy riders benefit from all the research carried out for the Podium Programme.
The programme is residential based in Manchester, and riders must therefore be committed to a full time residential programme. Full time means eating, breathing and living the life of a bike rider seven days a week, most of the year. This is likely to include; budgeting, food hygiene, nutrition courses, coaching courses and other life-skills. Other routes to qualifications via evening course or correspondence will be supported. Riders have access to plenty of BMX track time, the EIS gym and the quality coaching which British Cycling possesses. There may also be opportunities to compete in International events, and to attend training camps.
The programme has a huge work ethic. Riders have to be dedicated to winning and prepared to dedicate themselves to the life of a full time athlete to make it to the top. The pressure is high but the rewards could be huge.
Places on the Olympic Development and Academy Programmes are reserved for those riders with the ability to make significant progress in the BMX competition (men and women), to the level of competitive performances at European or World Championships within the period of 2 - 3 years.
It is anticipated that riders from these programmes will form the backbone of our Olympic medal winning teams in years to come.
There are a limited number of places available on these programmes, reflecting the limited number of Olympic medals available at the top of the sport (1 men's and 1 women’s BMX medal at Olympics), only riders with truly exceptional ability and potential will earn membership. Riders with only the right attitude, commitment and talent will be accepted.
The distinction between ODP and Academy will relate to ability not to age, which will be assessed during the selection process.
Looking forward to 2012 and beyond
If you think you have what it takes to make it to the Olympic podium in BMX, and will be aged between 16 and 24 in 2009 (Date of birth between 1985 - 1993), with the skills in place to excel on the race track, we want to hear from you. You will need to demonstrate a strong work ethic, commitment, skills, fitness and self-discipline to become a member of this exclusive team.
Applications for membership need to be with Alison Johnson (e-mail, post, fax etc) by 19th December 2008. It is anticipated that initial short-listing will be completed by early January when we plan to invite those successful at stage 1 to a selection weekend.
The first ODP and Academy selection weekend will be held in Manchester on January 24/25th 2009. Successful applicants from this selection weekend will be advised of the remaining selection process following this first event.
Send applications in the first instance to; AlisonJohnson@britishcycling.org.uk or British Cycling, National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, Manchester M11 4DQ or faxed to 0161 274 2095.