The One and All Cycling Youth Academy celebrated its official launch at the Bike Chain Bissoe Bike Hire and Café.
Olympic silver medallist Wendy Houvenaghel is an Academy patron
In attendance to support the new venture were ex-pro rider Tom Southam and current professional riders Yanto Barker and Chris Opie. Cornwall-based track star and Olympic silver medallist Wendy Houvenaghel is also an Academy patron and enthusiastic supporter as is Helston born Steve Lampier currently living in Peterborough and racing for the Sigma Sport Specialised Professional Cycling Team.
The Academy has been set up to create more opportunities for participation in a variety of cycling related activities for all young people under the age of 18 in Cornwall. It will also identify those riders with the ambition, talent and drive to compete at regional and national level and perhaps progress towards professional competition.
The Academy structure caters for any U18 rider in the club who will participate in weekly coaching sessions to develop on and off bike skills. Targeted coaching of the ‘development squad’ then provides an opportunity for talented riders to progress through more structured advice, training and support. Through the Academy riders have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of cycling disciplines including Road and Time Trial, Mountain Bike, BMX, Track and Cyclo-Cross.
The Academy is run by club coaches and volunteers who have combined their knowledge and expertise to give the younger riders in the club the best chance of achieving their cycling goals and ambitions. These could range from riding their first ever race to pulling on a National Champion’s jersey. To support the coaches there is also a strong management team in place, busy working on promoting the Youth Academy brand, and developing sponsorship opportunities.
Rod James, Chairman of One and All Cycling said: ‘We are delighted as a club to support this great new venture that will open up many exciting opportunities for young cyclists in Cornwall. It will enable us to invest in a whole new pool of talent and ambition and increase the number of opportunities for young people to enjoy cycling as a sport and leisure activity.’
One and All Cycling sees the launch of the Youth Academy as just the first step in creating a sustainable model for the development of young cyclists within Cornwall and the South West region.
