Course Summary

The HUUB Ribble Performance Academy programme gives aspiring young cyclists the opportunity to develop their race craft and physical attributes while studying academic qualifications in Sport to enhance their career prospects.

The College’s partnership with the HUUB Ribble Cycling Team enables students to benefit from the expertise of highly qualified and respected coaches, which enhances the sport-focussed curriculum.

Training sessions and race schedules are carried out alongside your main programme of study, with a race calendar which is focussed on weekends. The academy race programme centres on road and track cycling but riders from cyclo-cross, bmx, mountain biking, cycle speedway etc are all welcome to enhance their performance in these disciplines.

Entry requirements

Applications are welcomed from individuals who regularly participate in cycling and who show a desire and willingness to develop their sporting performance.

To qualify as part of the HUUB Ribble Performance Academy race team, you must meet the physical and endurance demands of elite level cycling. This performance testing will determine if you are part of the race team or development squad.

Academy cyclists will need to have their own British Cycling Race licence, or be prepared to obtain one in order to gain entry points for specific races.

Entry to the Level 3 Extended Certificate in Sports Coaching and Development or Sporting Excellence requires candidates to have a minimum of five GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A*- C) including English and Maths. This course has been designed specifically to allow for optimal access to your training programmes.

Students may also be able to access the Cycling Academy programme by studying a Level 2 course or A-levels, depending on if the timetable fits in with training sessions and performance tests. However, any GCSE resit requirements will take priority over your access to training.

In order to train and ride together, we strongly encourage riders to study the Level 3 Extended Certificate in Sports Coaching and Development or Sporting Excellence. (Elite riders involved in performance programmes will be catered for individually by following that pathway)

Course Content

• A dedicated training calendar
• Opportunities to progress to the elite race team
• Training camps at Derby Arena
• A comprehensive competition programme
• Technical and tactical coaching
• Psychological, physiological and lifestyle management
• Strength and conditioning support
• Opportunities for warm weather training
• Nutrition plans and cooking tips
• Bike maintenance

For academic course information, please see the Extended Certificate in Sports Coaching and Development web page for further guidance.

How will I be assessed?

Physical assessments will be conducted to identify your biological passport and physiological markers. Your performance will be closely monitored through the completion of a tailored training protocol.

Academic assessment on the study programme will be continuous over the year. Assessment methods will vary depending on the subjects delivered. See our Sports Coaching and Development pages for further details.

Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?

What can I do after this course?

School leavers are eligible for three years of funded education at DCG. Therefore students may wish to continue to the second and third years of the Sports Coaching and Development course or alternatively choose to study other related qualifications.

On successful completion of the course, students may wish to progress to the Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching at DCG or to seek employment within the sport and leisure sector.

Links with our local universities may see you selected for their cycling performance team alongside higher level study.

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