...a passionate inside track from CCAshwell;
For those clubs undecided or decidedly against, think again.
Without exception, everything positive that can happen is part and parcel of this programme.
Simply expressed this programme is the single most inclusive way to introduce young cyclists into the totality of cycling events. It helps them progress through simple to complex bike handling skills and fits them to take part in competitive rides and racing. It gives them the confidence and enthusiasm to want to make something of the skills learnt and imparts a sense of fun at the same time.
Without new young blood a club can stagnate and dwindle.
This programme delivers precisely those aspects essential to a club’s growth and future health. Namely, well-trained, eager and enthusiastic youngsters ready and able to bolster and boost the club’s flagging hopes.
The more entrenched and established a club is the harder it may be to adapt and embrace the newer approaches. However, by following the programme it will happen and you won’t regret all the time and effort put in.
For new clubs with no hard and fast traditions and rules, the transition is perfectly natural and quite easy. We certainly found it so.
So what do you need and what will happen.
First:- the active and positive co-operation of your club to want to develop and accommodate a younger section.
Second :- trained coaches to deliver the programme.
Third:- structure to your programme, suitable facilities and a number of willing volunteers within the club who will assist to maintain the initial enthusiasm and momentum.
Fourth:- finance to cover training and equipment.
Many clubs are happy and comfortable as they are, all well and good. However, if you want to know and realise the buzz that comes with growing and developing a youth section, then there is no better way than to Go-Ride.
If you already have a youth section I still think you will gain from adopting the programme as it will help broaden the range and scope of delivering training using many innovative techniques.
Enough of the build-up; what has it meant to our very young club Cycle Club Ashwell.
Since doing my stage 2 coaching course; an experience I thoroughly enjoyed, as did all participants, we started to promote and run go-ride sessions one evening a week for one hour, in May. By August, we had a register of 30+ and an average weekly take-up in excess of 15. School holidays, family hols and atrocious weather dented this attendance. We picked up again nicely and saw the sessions to a close at the end of September.
We have had a wonderful run of sessions and the enthusiasm of our young riders has made it very rewarding for all the coaches and helpers.
Our age ranges span 6-16 and all abilities. Some of the parents are even asking for sessions to improve their confidence and bike handling skills.
We have hired our village recreation ground and pavilion for these sessions and are therefore able to offer safe, off-road facilities and a grass track into the bargain. I cannot recommend this approach highly enough.
It gives us a first class opportunity to extend the bike handling into well monitored and managed track and road racing/competitive skills and techniques.
Other trained coaches assist in these sessions and regular help from Max Pendleton on the grass track has been of inestimable value.
The pleasure gained in watching these growing skills and confidence transferred into competent and keen competition is reward in itself for all the effort put in.
For me it has been a revelation and is quite addictive.
A young girl who had broken her arm on three separate occasions before coming on Go-Ride, the last being when she lost control while changing gears on her bike is transformed from someone who wouldn’t take her hands off the bars, to a person with total confidence to ride one handed left or right. This of itself, after just one hour’s session, was worth all the effort and many other pluses are there for the asking.
You will find that the fun and enthusiasm is self-feeding and fuelling. If you get the balance of fun and discipline correct, everyone is a winner. Some of our young riders are now competing at national races and events racking up the points and enjoying every minute of it.
Try it and find out for yourself. We did and we are not looking back.
Next stop, our own grass track and possibly a tarmac track with clubhouse. Who knows. After this start anything is possible.
We are on track and raring to grow. Check our progress and see if we don’t deliver.
Look out you other clubs. Newbies CCAshwell are on their way.
Geoff Godschalk CCA club development
geoff@ccashwell.com
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