2018 corc junior development program information Pack

2018 CORC JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Information Pack

January 2018

Welcome to the 2018 CORC Junior Development Program

The CORC Junior Development Program is designed to contribute to the preparation and development pathway for cross-country (XC) junior riders aged 12 years to 18 years participating in racing at club, school, state and national competitions. The spirit of program is development in a supportive, collaborative, and confidence-building environment for riders, coaches, sponsors and parents alike.

Applications are now open for the 2018 CORC Junior Development Program. The program will run from February 2018 to November 2018.

With a focus on building on the solid team ethics created over recent years, we aim to produce junior riders who are confident, capable and supportive and who gain highly developed skills that will enable them to become a faster and more skilled rider. Numbers will be limited to 40 for the program and entry will be assessed by the following criteria:

• 
  Criteria 1 – Riders have a demonstrated bike fitness and a skill ability suitable for the program, assessed before the program commences as required.
  
• 
  Criteria 2 – Riders have a demonstrated interest in racing at a consistent local level and potentially national level.
  
• 
  Criteria 3 – Riders are seeking to learn in, and contribute to, a supportive team environment and support the Club in its activities.
  

The emphasis is on respect, responsibility, team work and integrity. Riders will be required to agree to a code of conduct prior to commencing, more information is available within this document.

All juniors are required to maintain a current MTBA licence and CORC membership for the duration of the program.

Riders will be allocated coaches depending on age & skill group, the proposed session, ability, and any other discretionary factors as determined by the coaching team. At times riders may be able to choose the coach and session most suitable to their needs at the time.

The program continues through April and October school holiday periods. The program will not run during July and early August (dates to be confirmed).

• 
  Coaching Session times will vary due to daylight, generally following AEST Daylight Savings:
  Summer sessions (February, March, April, and October/November) commence at 5.15pm and are two hours in duration (until 7.15pm)
  Winter sessions (May, June, August, September) commence at 4.30pm and are 1.5hrs in duration, finishing at 6pm.
  

Coached Skills Sessions

Skills coaching sessions will be held every second Tuesday (Week 1, 3, 5 etc) at Stromlo Forest Park from 5.15pm, with the first session commencing Tuesday 6 February 2018.

Session times are 2hrs long, unless advised otherwise.

Meeting point is the covered Pavilion (upper level) near the carpark.

Riders must be ready at 5.10pm to hear instructions. Coaching groups leave the Pavilion at 5.15pm.

For new riders - assessment sessions may be held prior to this date if required to assess suitability for the program and groups.

We are very fortunate to have highly skilled riders as coaches. Our Coaches hold the required MTBA qualifications. They will also be supported by CORC invited Assistant Coaches. At all times, Junior riders are to listen to the coaches, follow instructions, and stay with the group.

Physio-based Stretch & Strengthen Sessions

PhysioSport O’Connor therapists will conduct fortnightly sessions for team members to help them manage their developing bodies and prevent injuries. We strongly recommend attendance for a program of this level of riding.

The venue is yet to be confirmed. Sessions commence on Week 1 Wednesdays. Time is still to be confirmed but we try for 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

The first session will be held Wednesday 8 February. Any changes to these dates or venue will be advised via email.

It is strongly recommended that all riders attend these sessions to assist with the prevention of injury and build strength required for mountain biking.

Depending on venue, a foam roller and yoga mat may be required.

Group Rides

Group rides are held at 6.00pm on the alternate Tuesday to the skills coaching session (eg week 2 of the program). These are fitness and skill practice rides. The ride location will vary to allow participants to experience different terrain, tracks and use a variety of developing skills. Riders must be ready from 5.50pm and attend a ride briefing. The ride commences at 6.00pm sharp, and late riders should not attempt to join the group for safety reasons. Ride location will be communicated via email the Sunday before the ride, if not earlier.

The purpose of the group ride is to consolidate the coaching session learning and ride together with team members. It is not a race. Groups will be created based on rider safety. Lights will be required once daylight savings ends and throughout winter. Parent riders* are required to ensure the group remains together, mechanicals are attended to in a timely manner. Safety comes first during our evening group rides and some rides may be cancelled due to weather conditions, or location changed at late notice.

Information Sessions

Within the program, information sessions will be presented to provide the riders with broader knowledge about riding, wellbeing and racing. These will be included in the program fees and may include (but are not limited to) bike mechanics, first aid for mountain bikers, training plans, sports nutrition, sports psychology, strength and conditioning, race preparation and etiquette. These details will be sent out via email once finalised.

Bike & Riding Safety

All participants will be required to have a mechanically sound bike at all times. Cleaning and checking mechanical soundness will be essential for all riders and expected to be completed before each ride.

Athletes are required to bring the following to all coaching rides and group rides:

A spare tube, pump/canister & head, or repair kit

Helmet - Australian Standards approved

Water bottle

Riding gloves

Appropriate clothing – often layering is best

Other items we recommend are riding glasses, a few first aid items, medical needs (inhalers, puffers etc), and maybe a small snack.

Rider Pick Up after Sessions

It is important that riders are collected promptly at the close of each session for safety reasons.

Please note, Stromlo Forest Park closes at 6pm in non-daylight-savings hours (April – September) and the gate locked by the Ranger.


Contact Details

The first point of call for all general information is [e-mail]. Depending upon the query, this could be answered by:

Junior Development program coordinator – Melissa Crampton, 0437899557

Junior Development Coaching & Group Ride coordinator - Paul Brodie

Junior Development Information Session coordinator – Tara Sutherland

Junior Development Finance coordinator – Kym Buckley

Junior Development Riding Kit coordinator – Michelle Inglis

Emails and will be shared amongst the group and parents. If you DO NOT agree to your contact details being shared amongst the group, please advise the Program Coordinator. Information about the program is sent via email, please ensure you provide a contact point that you are comfortable with being shared amongst all participants.

Photos - Please advise the coordinator) if you DO NOT agree to your child’s photo being used on our website, and CORC social media platforms. Generally, we seek permission before posting, but this is not always possible with group photos.

Safety/Risk Management for Junior Riders

To ensure that each child isn’t overworked, there is an MTBA junior participation policy that we will be following as much as possible. A copy of the policy is available on the MTBA website and is update at times.

CORC Club Race Calendar

All CORC Club race events are published on the CORC website/Facebook page. We encourage participation in all CORC Club races, as well as accepting some volunteering responsibilities to make the races happen. These dates are subject to change. Please always check the CORC Facebook page/website for any updates.

Other Race Calendars can be found on the MTBA website.

Program Cost & Payment Schedule

The total cost of the 2018 program is $600 per participant.

The program fee incorporates program group coaching, stretch & strengthen sessions, rider information sessions, and a Development Camp in October (12-14 October – last weekend of school holidays, potentially at Bungarra, Jindabyne).

The 2018 fee does not include CORC Junior Development riding kit and this will be available to purchase separately. All new riders will be expected to obtain/purchase at least one set one riding jersey, and if possible bibs/knicks. Costs will be dependent upon order numbers. More details will be provided as they are finalised.

Program Acceptance and Deposit

If the rider is accepted into the 2018 CORC Junior Development Program, a payment of a $200 is due by 17 February 2018 to secure your place in the program.

Program payment can be made in full, or the remaining $400 payment is due by 30 June 2018. Payments are preferred by direct deposit, however credit card options can be arranged as needed. More details will be provided to participants.

Code of Conduct

This code of conduct will be distributed to each parent and junior for their signature and agreement. It will also be agreed to by the coaches and any member of the support team. First infringement to comply will result in counselling, second in trial by peers to determine the penalty. This is a team, all decisions must be agreeable to everyone. Once signed, a copy will be maintained by the program and a copy with the athlete.

As a CORC Junior Development athlete, I will:

• 
  Uphold the core values that give mountain biking its great reputation as being accessible, accepting and friendly.
  
• 
  At all times conduct myself in line with the team’s fundamental value of maintaining a highly professional, but very down to earth attitude
  
• 
  Maintain a friendly and approachable image at all times. I will conduct myself in a manner that is a positive and friendly reflection on the team and our sport.
  
• 
  Treat my fellow competitors with absolute respect at all times and compete in a fair and sportsman like manner. I will treat my team mates even better.
  
• 
  Show and provide ongoing support for my team mates where possible. This may include event assistance, vocal support and sharing of equipment.
  
• 
  Engage with fellow mountain bikers on trail, both in and out of competition, in a respectful and courteous manner and endeavour to increase the sociable and professional nature the team is renowned for.
  
• 
  Be courteous, respectful and helpful to the management of the team. This includes: Replying promptly to emails, calls, etc; communicating regularly and helping with logistics for the team where necessary at events; showing initiative to help staff maintain a professional image for the team at all times.
  
• 
  Represent all of my supporters and sponsors in a positive light by conducting myself professionally at all times, taking care of my equipment and promoting a positive image for all associated brands through my personal interactions and acknowledgement of the privileged support which I receive.
  
• 
  Use the clothing and/or equipment that has been made available to me in an appropriate way and provide visible support to our sponsors by wearing CORC Junior Development kit whenever possible. It is my responsibility to be aware of what is expected regarding product usage.
  
• 
  Not engage in any conduct which does or may bring the team into disrepute including without limitation engaging in bad behaviour of any nature in public or ridiculing or criticising the team or anyone involved.
  

Sponsorship provided

The CORC Junior Development squad is fortunate to be supported by PhysioSport O’Connor, Illeso Studio, and Today’s Plan. The following arrangements are in place:

PhysioSport O’Connor manage the Stretch & Strengthen sessions, and offer discounts for bike fitting and physio appointments. More details will be provided to squad members.

Illeso Studio provide the venue for our Stretch & Strengthen sessions in Aranda, and the venue for other events if required and a suitable room is available.

Today’s Plan provide all CORC Junior Development squad members with access to their training plan analytics packages. More details to come.

We are grateful for the community support provided to the CORC Junior Development squad via our sponsors and supporters.

Volunteering Expectations

It is expected that each participant will provide back to the club with some form of volunteering. We also welcome and appreciate the support of parents for such events. There are many opportunities for this with assisting at the regular CORC events such as Dirt Crits, XC and 3hr races, and various roles in the lead up to the CORC major October event.

Riding under Lights

Lights will be required once daylight savings ends and throughout winter. During winter, Parent tail riders* may be required to ensure the group remains together, mechanicals are attended to in a timely manner.

*Parent Support Riders

At times we require parents to provide support as tail riders to ensure the safety of all riders, or assist with mechanical issues. This could be during coaching sessions and is definitely required during the Group Ride sessions. To participate, Parent support riders must have an ACT Working With Vulnerable People card and details will be requested at the beginning of the year, and updates as required. Further details will be provided.

If you would like to discuss suitability for this program please email [e-mail]

Applications are open until the program is full, or close on Wednesday 31 January.

CORC may run other programs for the development of junior riders, please contact [e-mail] if you would like to know more.

2018 CORC Junior Development Program Page of