Sought After Scholarship For Cyclist Student
19 September 2011
Student Justin Knox has won a place on the British Cycling's Scholarship programme for 2011/12.
The course also gave me the knowledge and confidence to apply for this coveted scholarship, and now I'm delighted to be part of British Cycling
”Justin Knox.
A talented sports coaching student hopes it will be downhill all the way to his dream career after securing a coveted national scholarship with British Cycling.
Justin Knox, 36, from Matlock, Derbyshire, is one of just two people to be accepted on to British Cycling's Scholarship programme for 2011/12, after proving hiscommitment to a career in cycling coaching.
As a 'coaching scholar', over the next 12 months Justin will get to follow British Cycling's performance staff, who work with cyclists including the GB Olympic Cycling team. Justin hopes that the scholarship will support him in the final year of his study towards a BA (Hons) degree in Sports Development and Sports Coaching at the University of Derby Buxton, and into his dream career as a professional cycling coach.
"As a scholar I'll get to watch and learn from British Cycling's best coaches," said Justin. "I'm looking forward to learning the techniques they use to help cyclists reach their peak performances, and to putting what I have learned on my degree programme into action in a truly competitive environment."
A keen mountain biker since the age of 11, it wasn't until Justin was 34 that he decided to turn his favourite hobby and expertise, gained through mountain biking around the Peak District, into a career as a cycling coach. To do this he enrolled on a Sports Development and Sports Coaching degree programme at the University of Derby Buxton, and began coaching for Matlock Cycling Club in his spare time.
Justin continued: "The programme at Buxton has been fantastic as my lecturers have loads of experience in their professional areas and some great contacts. The course also gave me the knowledge and confidence to apply for this coveted scholarship, and now I'm delighted to be part of British Cycling."
Lee Rylands, Lecturer in Sports Coaching and Development at the University of Derby Buxton, said: "This is a fantastic and unique opportunity for Justin. The academic theory he has learned from his studies coupled with this real life experience working with some of the best coaches in the world will place him a strong position for employment once he graduates.
"Justin is proof that if you have passion for your sport and commitment to learn, you can achieve great things. I'm sure he will pass this on to all of the cyclists he'll go on to coach."
For more information about Sports Development and Sports Coaching programmes at the University of Derby Buxton visit www.derby.ac.uk/udb
For more information please contact Press & PR Officer Joanna Colburn on 01332 593004 or 07775 036988, or email j.colburn@derby.ac.uk
