Epic Ride To Launch ‘World-First’ Cycling Degree
26 April 2007
Intrepid riders: Roanna Vickers, Tim Stevens, Conor Moss, Leigh Smith and event organiser Helen Cooper.
The University’s development of this new ‘Cycling Pathway’ for the Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching is testament to cycling’s growth and development as a sport and the growing culture of sports coaching as a profession.
”Keith Florey, Coaching and Education Manager for British Cycling
Cyclists from the University of Derby Buxton are heralding the launch of a ground-breaking new Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching for cycling coaches by riding coast to coast to raise money for Challenge Cancer Through Adventure.
The gruelling 140 mile ride, along the ‘Sea to Sea’ National Cycle route from Whitehaven to Sunderland, will happen this May Bank Holiday weekend from 5-7 May. Challenge Cancer Through Adventure is a local charity that enables people with cancer or a terminal illness to ‘live a dream’ – and also to challenge perceptions of cancer and terminal illness
“There is no better way to celebrate the launch of the new ‘Cycling Pathway’ option for our Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching,” said Programme Leader Paul Jakubowski. “We believe this degree choice is the first of its kind in the world,” he said.
The ride has been organised by four first year Events Management students – Holly Alldred from Solihull; Mark Butland from Bollington, Macclesfield; Helen Cooper from Otley, West Yorkshire; and Adam Hayward from Leicester – and will feature their course leader, Conor Moss, Sports lecturer Brendan Meehan and Adventure Tourism lecturer Duncan Marson.
“We set the route and arranged accommodation,” said Helen, “and Adam, who is studying Events Management with Sports Studies, designed a seven-week training programme for the riders which allows one day off a week and gives a flavour of the kind of training Lance Armstrong has to do.”
Today, Thursday 26 April, the event organisers are gathering their cyclists in Buxton’s spectacular Devonshire Dome for a stationary marathon on exercise bikes to attract sponsorship. It’s also a chance to meet the creators of the new course and find out more.
And on Saturday 28 April, some of the riders will be competing in the ten-mile trail run, the Derwent Dambusters Charity Challenge as part of their training as well.
Paul Jakubowski developed the new Cycling degree with Brendan Meehan and Strategic Sports Management Master’s student Richard Clark. Richard, aged 70, is an experienced sports coach who recently gained a 2:1 for his BSc in Sports Studies.
“I’ve always been active in sport,” says Richard. “I’ve been a coach education tutor and heavily involved with cycling, so I’ve got a long background in the subject. I love learning, it keeps the brain active.
“It’s been a positive experience and I’ve helped the university to develop this new degree in sports coaching the FdA Sports Coaching – Cycling Pathway.” Richard’s contacts with British Cycling, the national governing body, helped lead to the creation of this unique degree.
“It’s the only one of its kind in this country, and possibly the western world,” explained Richard. “There are cycling specific modules and it’s endorsed by British Cycling, who are very excited about it too.”
Keith Florey, Coaching and Education Manager for British Cycling, said: “There has been a groundswell of professional sports coaching activity throughout the UK with welcome support from the Government. The University’s development of this new ‘Cycling Pathway’ for the Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching is testament to cycling’s growth and development as a sport and the growing culture of sports coaching as a profession.
“British Cycling has been very keen to work with Paul, Richard and the Sports Coaching team to incorporate our coaching qualifications into the ‘Cycling Pathway’, and we’re keen to support the University of Derby Buxton with future developments on this course.”
The coast-to-coast cycle ride will raise money for Challenge Cancer Through Adventure, an inspiring charity set up by seven Peak District adventure activity enthusiasts, each of whom has or has had cancer. It aims to provide adventurous activities for people with terminal illnesses living in the Peak District.
Find out more about how to support the ride by emailing: coast2coast_udb@hotmail.co.uk and you can sponsor the riders online by visiting: www.justgiving.com/buxtonunicoast2coast.
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For further media information please contact the University of Derby Buxton’s Press and PR Officer, Simon Butt, on 07748 920023 or 01332 591891, or via email at s.butt@derby.ac.uk.
