On Saturday 15th October the South West held their second Skills School day at Odd Down Cycle Track, Bath.
It was a fantastic afternoon with 21 enthusiastic and talented athletes, aged 10-16 years, attending. The young athletes who attended had a great day, with one stating: ‘I enjoyed the amazing coaching and practicing cycling, running and transitions. It was really fun,’ with another stating ‘I want to do it all again!’ Six coaches volunteered their services for the day, not only to provide a fun and challenging afternoon for these triathletes, but also to further their own knowledge of the new Skills School curriculum and how this can be implemented successfully within each session back at their own clubs.
The day was brilliantly delivered by Justin Robbins (Swindon Triathlon Club), Lucy Bemand and Mark Neish (North Dorset Tri club), Paul Shergold (Somerset RC/Tri Club), Jason Cuthbert (Chippenham Tri Club) and Ashley Hutchinson (Trowbridge Hot Chilli Tri Club) who all gave up their time to help create a very positive and interactive learning environment. Skills School is the first coach development programme from British Triathlon specifically aimed at coaches working with children, and using the ideals that underpin Skills School the coaches delivered fun, creative and challenging sessions for the young athletes, aged 10-16 years.
The day started off with all the coaches working through the key ideas behind the Skills School framework by using the Coaches’ Playbook, by playing ‘connect 4’ and ‘rock, paper, scissors.’ After arriving at lunchtime the athletes arrived and firstly concentrated on extending their cornering skills on the cycle track, later practicing in a competitive cycling team pursuit race. The next session involved practicing transitions in a game based situation before helping the athletes reinforce their transition layout and practice within a formal transition set up. Athletes were then encouraged, during a fun game, to think about their pacing skills while running with a partner. The final challenge of a Duathlon ‘with a twist’ was sadly rained off (torrentially) so instead the children took part in activities that encouraged decision making and drawing race preparation timelines.
Triathlon England would like to thank all of the athletes who attended and we look forward to seeing you all again in due course, you are a credit to the sport. We would also like to thank the coaching team who made the day such a successful one with their contributions.
