Development of Ayrshire Youth Cycling Coaching Group
Scottish Cycling South-West is delighted to have teamed up with Robert Ferguson to support the development of an Ayrshire based Youth Cycle Coaching Group. Robert Ferguson has been involved in coaching for around six years, is a keen cyclist and have been riding for longer than he would care to admit.
His passion for coaching has recently led to him starting his own business – Ferguson’s Coaching. He has recognised that there are little or no opportunities available in the Ayrshire area for youth cyclists looking to develop. With the recent completion of the Closed Road Cycle Circuit in Irvine, alongside the extensive open spaces lending themselves to cycle coaching, it seems like an opportune time for us to get together and fill this void.
Proposal
To bring together representatives of local clubs to work together to support the development of riders, coaches and organisers to create a Regional Youth training group. This would initially be aimed at Juniors, Youth A and B riders, who are competent cyclists and have ambitions to compete.
The new closed road circuit in Irvine will be an ideal base for basing this, providing a safe environment to coach. I am primarily interested in developing their skills and getting them into / improving their racing.
Get Involved – Volunteers
We are looking to gather a list of interested volunteers who can play their part in the development of the project. You do not necessarily need to have coaching experience, it may be that you feel that you can add value in the organisation/promotion of the sessions, dealing with enquiries and communicating with riders.
However, there will be a need for other coaches to come forward to ensure the sustainability of this project, so we would be particularly interested in hearing from anyone with coaching experience and qualifications – regardless of whether this is from within cycling or not. We may be able to access support through Scottish Cycling to support the development of new coaches.
Get Involved – Riders
This is not a ‘club’, it is a group being created to allow riders with aspirations to progress in the Ayrshire area to come and work together, supported by a team of committed people, with a view to developing a strong, resilient group of riders across a range of disciplines.
We are not looking to replace existing club training offering, simply add value and create a new high quality opportunity for riders.
Riders interested should be in the Youth A, Youth B and Junior age categories, and this is open to both Boys and Girls across these age categories.
Focus Disciplines
In recognition of the facilities available to us in Irvine and the surrounding areas, we would suggest that Road, Time Trial and Cyclocross would be the main areas of focus in the beginning. We will be led by the interests of riders who get involved. We can explore the opportunities for sessions at the Velodrome, Mountain Biking and hopefully BMX in the future too.
Next Steps
We have recognised that there is an opportunity here to support youth cyclists in the Ayrshire area and looking for others to come on board and bring this to reality. It is about creating a positive coaching environment for the riders, allowing them to progress and reach their potential.
If you are interested in getting involved as Coach/Volunteer or as a rider, please fill out the following form - https://forms.gle/EarUbH32ykjMU9i98
Please complete the form by Monday 30th September, with a view to a meeting being held in early October
If you would like to discuss further – please email Robert@Fergusonscoaching.co.uk