31/05/2011 - Over recent months a strong focus of mine has been to develop new ways to get more young riders involved with our club. One of these has been to get cycling into the NCEA curriculum.
Every year 12 (or sixth form) PE class is able to do a “performance” standard for credits towards NCEA Level Two. A performance standard is slightly different to other assessments in that students are graded against a national standard of excellence.
It just so happens that Invercargill has an indoor velodrome where that standard of excellence is showcased annually. In consultation with our own shaper of young minds, Dave Beadle we developed a standard based on times recorded at the last five National Age Group Track Championships, and now track cycling is accredited with NZQA as a performance standard.
Late last year we had a few guinea pigs testing this out and it seems like we have got it spot on in terms of difficulty.
This year we are offering secondary schools and novice cyclists the opportunity to come with their class and learn the art of track cycling. We offer six weeks of coached sessions during school time, culminating in a trials day from which students can choose either sprint (500TT), Endurance (2km Pursuit) or, if they are really keen, both to test their skills, speed and fitness.
Currently we have Classes from Verdon, Southland Boys High, Te Wharekura o Arowheua and S.I.T doing this course.
This is an excellent opportunity to give people a taste of cycling and a chance for us at Cycling Southland to get a glimpse of some talented young athletes who may still be looking for a sport to get into.
Matt Archibald
Cycling Southland