Development Initiative: U16-23
Killarney Cycling Club wants every member to get the best possible chance of progressing to Junior and Senior rank in as enjoyable and efficient a way as possible. In this regard, we are undertaking a ‘development initiative’ to support and promote the retention and progression of riders from U-16 level through to Junior and U-23. This initiative will also support women wishing to take up racing at any level.
The club will endeavour to provide a range of supports through this initiative and, in return has certain expectations of the riders who wish to participate.
Club supports
Some of the specific supports and activities will include:
- Coaching support: No participant in the initiative will be without coaching support of some kind, should they be in need of it.
- Club teams and races: Riders reaching the necessary standard will get to experience racing in as many of the top domestic races as possible such as the Junior Tour, Rás Mumhan and Rás Tailteann, as part of a ‘home-grown’ club team.
- Provincial and national opportunities: We will work with the relevant Cycling Munster and Cycling Ireland personnel to ensure that riders reaching the necessary standard get opportunities to compete on Munster and national teams.
- Training activities: Some specific group training activities will be organized, beginning with regular, controlled group Sunday spins that will be consistent with good training principles.
- Enjoyment: Along with the above, every rider should be getting enjoyment and fun out of their cycling – this is often forgotten! We will encourage this support riders to be active a range of cycling activities including off-road, track, TT, etc.
- Other individual supports: If, through family or other circumstances, any participant has difficulty in committing or participating through lack of resources, they could discuss this with the Competition Road Secretary in the strictest confidence to see if the necessary support can be provided.
Expectations of participants and their responsibilities
The club and the personnel involved will make a strong commitment to the riders and, in turn, riders should realise that they take on certain responsibilities if they decide to participate. These expectations and responsibilities include (while taking into account that family and educational circumstances can effect availability from time to time, etc):
- Being part of a ‘club’: i.e. that everybody clubs together in a common purpose and contributes to the club as well as availing of it.
- Being involved in a certain amount of collective training (which will be subject to good training principles and which every good coach would see as training opportunity that could fit into a training schedule)
- Being available for, and contributing to, on-line planning and review meetings for the squad from time to time.
- Being available to club teams when needed.
- Contributing to broader club activities from time to time such as Youth training and other club events
- Wearing the club colours with pride and behaving in a way that reflects well on the club and our sponsors.
- Communicating with the personnel involved if there are any difficulties or concerns.