BBC Blog Network

User Profile

davidmam

Listed below are comments made by davidmam between Monday, 18th August 2008 and Tuesday, 2nd December 2008.

«Newer
Older»

Sports Personality shortlist announced 10:29pm on 02 Dec 2008 #181 The Tour de France is the most watched live annual event in the world. It has a huge following. Cavendish took it by the scruff of the neck and made everyone else look ordinary. If you go to mainland Europe, South America, the far east, they will all know who Cav is.

As for Chris Hoy, he comes over on TV as a nice guy. In real life he is even nicer, a chap no-one has a bad word for.
How to build on the Great Haul of China 10:46am on 25 Aug 2008 It isn't just about the elite, it is a system that stretches over ten years to identify those with potential, and as a by product gives many kids the opportunity to find an enjoyable sport that keeps them fit and healthy.

How does cyclign do it? It establishes a series of youth oriented clubs (Go-Ride), pours money into them to provide bikes, coach training, and events. Open to all, just turn up, pay a nominal fee (less than the cost of going to the swimming pool) and ride.

Kids with potential are encouraged - those who just do it for fun but aren't medal prospects are encouraged too (though the funding and support isn't there to develop them - these people are needed to provide a critical mass)

Young teens (12-15) are given the opportunity for advanced training alongside people like Chris Hoy and Jamie Staff. A talent team of those with potential (e.g. getting onto the Scottish Talent team as a 15 yo requires the ability to do a flying 200 in under 11.2 secs) and desire is given structured coaching and training - mess up and you are off the program and have to prove you are worthy of it all over again.

Then there is the Olympic Podium Programme. Take the very best, with potential and bring them to Manchester (or the base in Italy) where they get the best of training, coaching and racing. Again, keep the standard up, show you have potential or you are out.

The support is there but it still requires talent, potential and dedication. It is something that many sports could learn from. Those who don't make the grade for elite coaching/training are by no means failures - many go on to enjoy the sport and are vital to it's health at the grass roots level. But they wouldn't have got there without the initial opportunities.
Dramatic athletics - but Britain beware 09:28am on 24 Aug 2008 TheTomTyke wrote:
"Everybody keeps saying it, and I'm going to be the first to say it here - we need to copy cycling's approach. Top coaches and top athletes in one place, a centre of excellence for athletics. Get them performing with and against one another day in, day out and let them know they're going to have to fight one another to get a spot at the "home" Olympics. They've got the incentive to perform right there, now we need to give them the facilities, coaching and competition to make them competitive on a global stage."

That is only the half of what cycling has done. It provides top level support that is in a class of its own for the elite riders, but it also targets grassroots, getting kids involved through the Go-Ride clubs and talent spotting there. That is where strength in depth comes from. It has taken ten years to do that. I saw a huge bunch of kids taking part in a local street sprint event (running) yesterday as part of a city parade - having a structure to support the best there and provide the coaches and inspiration is what is needed.

In cycling, there is the sprint school where four 12-15 year olds at a time are funded to go to a major velodrome (Manchester or Newport) and are given a weekend of coaching, rubbing shoulders and learnignfromthe likes of Chris Hoy and Vicky Pendleton - ever see a 13 year old girl try to push chris Hoy off his track bike?

Cast the net wide, identify talent, and provide great role models who are accessible to the youngsters. Cycling does that and it pays off in spades.
Hoy the pick of GB's golden bunch 3:56pm on 18 Aug 2008 It's worth remembering where Chris Hoy came from to get gold. Hear his take on developing cycling among kids at http://www.youtube.com/SaveMeadowbank

The reason we have elite athletes is because a large number of kids got the chance to try the sport. Some turn out to be superstars, others find a fun way to enjoy themselves and keep healthy. Either way the country benefits from investment in grassroots sport facilities.

«Newer
Older»

^ Back to top

BBC MMVI

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

BBC.co.uk

BBC Blog Network

Find and talk to the BBC's bloggers.

User Profile

davidmam