Tour de France Followed By Derby Cycling First
18 July 2007
Paul Jakubowski and Richard Clark.
We hope that the University of Derby’s groundbreaking new coaching course, which has been supported by British Cycling, will also see the continued progression of cycle coaching as a recognised career pathway.
”Keith Flory, Coaching and Education Manager for British Cycling
With England hosting the start of this year’s Tour de France for the first time in the competition’s 104-year history, the University of Derby is set to continue the race to develop cycling as a highly successful mainstream sport in the UK.
Beginning this September, the University will launch what is believed to be the world’s first Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching aimed at creating the next generation of champion-breeding cycling coaches.
Students who have already signed onto the course include Adrian Timmis, part of the British cycling pursuit team at the 1984 Olympic Games and a Tour de France finisher and stages winner in 1987. Some places are still available.
Student coaches on the two-year course will learn how to instil in future cyclists the same spirit to succeed shown by current Tour de France competitors, who sped through the Kent countryside for Le Tour’s first stage earlier this month and who are even now continuing on through Europe.
The coaching course will get behind the psychology, exercise science and nutritional know-how of the sport of cycling.
Parts of the course will also deal specifically with mountain biking, the pressures of competitive cycling, and the practicalities of promoting it in the community and amongst the young.
The degree course based at the University of Derby’s Buxton campus is backed by the sport’s national governing body British Cycling.
It was developed by course leader Paul Jakubowski with Brendan Meehan and 70-year-old Richard Clark, a veteran cyclist and coach who recently gained a 2:1 for his BSc in Sports Studies.
Richard’s contacts with British Cycling proved invaluable in getting essential backing for the groundbreaking course.
Richard said: “I’ve been a coach education tutor and heavily involved with cycling, so I’ve got a long background in the subject.”
He added: “The course is the only one of its kind in this country, and possibly the western world.
“There are cycling specific modules and it’s endorsed by British Cycling, who are very excited about it.”
Keith Flory, Coaching and Education Manager for British Cycling, said: “The amazing crowds that lined the streets of Southern Britain to witness the Tour de France last weekend were testament to the renewed interest in cycle sport in this country.
“We hope that the University of Derby’s groundbreaking new coaching course, which has been supported by British Cycling, will also see the continued progression of cycle coaching as a recognised career pathway.”
Minimum entry qualifications to get onto the ‘Sports Coaching (FdA) – Cycling Pathway’ course are GCSE Maths and English and one A-level or equivalent, or students may be asked to attend an interview to discuss a place on the programme.
Students will be given a broad foundation in cycle coaching. Stage One will cover practical activities and the physiology, psychology and social aspects of cycle coaching.
Work experience will be tailored to move students towards sectors of cycle coaching they may wish to pursue later, as a career. Students completing the first stage will be eligible for the Certificate of Higher Education (CertEd) in Sports Coaching.
In the second stage students produce a research-based assignment with lecturer support on a choice of modules including applied cycle coaching, event specific coaching, mountain biking, working with special populations and nutrition for sport and exercise.
Successful completion of the course will allow students to progress to the third stage of the BA (Hons) Sport and Recreation Management, or Joint Honours pathways in Sports Psychology, Physical Activity and Health, or Sports Coaching.
Sports career opportunities following the course could include working for national governing bodies, sports and leisure centres, commercial companies, sports development agencies, the Armed Forces and teaching.
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For further media information please contact the University of Derby’s Press and PR Officer, Simon Butt, on 07748 920023 or 01332 591891, or via email at s.butt@derby.ac.uk.
Press release by Sean Kirby, Press and PR Officer for Buxton, on 01332 593004 and 07876 2476103. Email: s.kirby@derby.ac.uk.
