ENGLAND TALENT PROGRAMME REGIONAL ACADEMY GUIDE

Version 2.0 – 20/07/2017

Contents 1. The Pathway2. What is the Regional Academy?3. Regional Academy Objectives4. RegionalAcademy–Benefits,CommitmentsandExpectations5. ApplicationandSelectiontotheRegionalAcademy6. Inter-RegionalChampionships(IRC’s)7. ConsiderationsforlongertermsuccessandselectionintotheRegionalAcademy8. Competition,EquipmentandSelectionPolicies

1. The Pathway

Following on from clubs we have five steps in our Pathway

• ThefirstisSkills School–SkillsSchoolisaboutdevelopingindependentlearnersandhavingfun.Itisablendofallthatisbestaboutboththeperformanceandparticipationarmsofthesport

• Regional Academyisthefirstlypurelyperformancefocusedstepandisourfirstselectiveenvironmentforathletesfromtheagesof13to19.Thereare12AcademiesacrossBritain:1inScotland,1inWalesand10inEngland

• Home Nation TalentsquadscontainthebestdevelopingtriathletesofeachHomeNation

• Podium PotentialisthefirstrungoftheUKSportfundedWorldClassPerformanceProgrammeandcontainsathleteswhoarearound8yearsorcloserawayfromthepodium

• Podiumitselfiswhereourverybestathletesreside– itisfortrueWorldleadingmedalwinningathletes

REGIONAL ACADEMY

2. What is the Regional Academy?

TheroleofcoachesandstaffworkingwithintheEnglandTalentProgrammeistosupportanddevelopathleteswhomaylongtermhavethepotentialtoachieveselectiontotheBritishTriathlonWorldClassPerformanceProgramme(WCPP).Regionally,thisisachievedthroughourAcademies

TheAcademyisinplacetoprovideguidancefortriathloncoaches,clubs,parentsandtalentedyoungathleteswhoaspireandhavethepotentialtocompeteatthehighestlevelwithinthesportoftriathlon.TheacademyisrunbyaRegionalLeadwhoisthedirectlinkandabridgebetweentheregionandtheEnglandTalentProgramme.

RegionalAcademiesarenotdesignedtoreplacethehometrainingenvironment.ThegoaloftheRegionalAcademyistocreateasupportive,challengingandinspiringenvironmenttohelpaidandguideWhole Athlete Development in line with the 6 PillarsoftheBritish Triathlon Athlete Development Framework (ADF).Thisisachievedthroughexperiencesthatare above and beyond that which the athlete can access in theirhometrainingenvironment.Suchexperiencesexposeathletestoandallowthemtoexploreandenhancethefollowing:

i. Theirskills,knowledgeandunderstandingoftriathlon

ii. Theirphysical,psychologicalandemotionalcapabilitiesandrobustness

iii.Appropriateprofessionalbehaviours

iv. Ageandstageappropriateperformancestandards,bothdomestically and internationally

3. Regional Academy Objectives

InlinewiththeEnglandTalentProgrammeandalignedtoBritishTriathlon’sADFallAcademiesareworkingtowardsWhole Athlete Development. Thisisdefinedasdevelopingwell-roundedathleteswhonotonlyhavethephysicalcapacitiesforthesportbutalsohavetheproblemsolvingandindependentlearningskillstomaketherightdecisionstosupportboththeirathleticandpersonaldevelopment.

In working towards achieving Whole Athlete Development Academies will;

1. Identify,supportanddevelopathleteswithpotentialwithintheregionthroughthecreationofsafebutchallengingenvironmentsthatallowathletesthespacetoexploreandenhancetheirlearninginthesport

2. Beasourceofinformationforclubs,coaches,parentsandathletesinthe region

3. Engage,collaborateandinvolvecoaches,parentsandclubsintheregion,currentlyworkingwithyoungathletes

4. Provideexperiencedays,campsandworkshopsforAcademyathletes

5. Providesupport,adviceandsignpostingforathleteslookingtoaccesstheEnglandTalentprogramme

6. Supportathletesatraces,bothdomesticallyandinternationallyasappropriate

7. Monitortrainingandprovidecoachingsupportifrequired

4. Regional Academy – Benefits, Commitments and Expectations

Benefits

Successful athletes invited to join the Academy will benefit from: i. Academytrainingdaysandweekendcampsthroughout

theyeartodevelopexperienceandawareness

ii. FirstclasscoachingandguidanceinsuchareasasStrengthandConditioning,OpenWaterSwimming,EquipmentSelection,GroupRiding,RacePlanning,NutritionandMentalPreparation

iii.RemotesupportandadvicebetweenAcademymeetings.

iv. SupportatYouthandJuniorSuperSeriesEvents

v. OpportunitytoattendAcademyTrainingCamps*, these may be domestic or internationally based.

vi.Academykit

*ThecostofanyRegionalAcademyTrainingcampsorassociatedactivitiesmaybesubsidisedbysupportfromtheRegionalCommittee,theRegionalAcademyorotherfundingsources(ifavailable),however,youwilllikelyberequiredtomakeafinancialcontribution.

Commitments and Expectations

RegionalLeadsworkhardtocreate“add value”trainingdays/campsforallAcademyathletesandfullattendanceisanexpectation.Thereisanunderstandingthatathleteshavebusyschedulescompetingacross3disciplinesaswellasTriathlon.ShouldaclashofdatesariseatimelyconversationwiththeRegionalAcademyLeadshouldoccurtodiscussclashesandoptionsavailabletotheathlete.Reasonablepre-agreedabsencefor relevant/requiredcompetition/commitmentsisobviouslyallowed.PartofAcademymembershiprequiresathletestobegintoidentifyand specialiseasTriathletesandsowiththisprioritiseTriathlonoverothercommitments.

AthleteswillbeexpectedtofocustheirtriathlonracingcommitmentsontheBritishTriathlonYouthandJuniorSuperSeries,detailsofwhich canbefoundhere.ForanideaofwhataracingprogrammeshouldlooklikeforAcademyageathletespleaseseetheCompetition Map.

AllRegionalAcademyathletes(includingAffiliatesorDevelopmentSquad)willalsobeexpectedtoattendtheAnnualPerformanceAssessments.

5. Application and Selection for the Regional Academy

RegionalAcademyTrialstakeplaceannuallyinSeptember/October-thisisathree-stageprocess.Allathleteswhetherneworreturningarerequiredtogothroughthisprocess.ForyoungerathletesresultsintheRegionalSeriesand/orIRC’sarenoguaranteeofentrytotheAcademy.

i. Application

ApplicationsareopentoallathletesinRegionagedbetween13and18.AthleteageforAcademyTrialsistakenasageon1stSeptember.Applicationswillrequireathletestoevidenceswimmingandrunningstandardsoverthefollowingdistances:

Ages13-15:200mswim/1500mrunAges16-18:400mswim/3000mrun

Unlessunderexceptionalcircumstancesperformanceswillneedtobeverifiedonthe British Swimming or UK Athletics databases

BritishTriathlonusesaswim/runpointstabletoindicateanathletesageandstagepotentialatthislevelofthePathway.LevelswillvaryfromregiontoregionaccordingtonumbersandcurrentAcademystandardsbutageneralminimumstandardforinvitationwouldbearound300points.Athletesmeetingorexceedingtheminimumrequiredlevelswillbeinvitedtoattendstage 2.

Thepointstablecanbefoundhere.Scoresarecalculatedfromthecombinedtotalofthecorrespondingpointsawardedforpersonalbesttimesineachdiscipline.

AlignedtoWholeAthleteDevelopmentandtheADFathleteswillbeexpectedtohaveabasicunderstandingoftheFrameworkandwillbeaskedtoassesstheirweakestandstrongestpillarsaspartoftheirapplication.InformationontheADFcanbefoundhere.

Swimming,runningandtherequisiteperformancebehavioursplayabigpartinAcademyselections.InmostregionscyclingabilityisalsoassessedinStage3.AthleteswhodonothaveanycyclingortriathlonexperiencewillbeunlikelytobeselectedintotheAcademy,insteadtheywillbeexpectedtodevelopthispriortotheirselection.

ii. Academy Time Trials

AcademyTimeTrialsareheldovertherelevantageappropriatedistances

Ages13-15:200mswim/1500mrunAges16-18:400mswim/3000mrun

Academy Time Trials in line with the ADF are a One Day One Race opportunity.Athletesaregiventheopportunitytostandupanddelivertheirbestperformanceonthatgivenday.Thedaywillgivethe Academy coaching team the chance to observe athletes not only deliveringtheirbestbutalsothevariousprocessesthatsupportthis.TheRegionalLeadwillalsogiveashorttalk/presentationoutliningtheexpectations,culturewithinandoperationalmodeloftheAcademyandgiveathletesandparentsthechancetoaskquestionstheymighthave.AthletessuccessfulinStage2willbeinvitedbacktoStage3.

iii. Stage 3 Assessment

Isamoredetailedlookattheathletes’abilitiesandbehavioursacrossseveralelementsrelevanttotheother5pillarsoftheADFaswellastheirphysicalandtechnicalcapabilities.Behavioursincludebutarenotlimitedto:commitment,passion,engagement,fascination,candoattitude,awillingnesstoacceptandenjoychallenge&adversityandtoworkhard.Physicalabilitiesmayinclude,butnotbelimitedto,aerobicandtechnicalabilityandphysicaltechnicalrobustness.Thelengthofstage3variesfromregiontoregionandcanbeanythingfromonedaytosixmonths.Whateverthelengthofthisperiodassessmentwillbecontinuous.Thisgivesthecoachesabroaderanddeeperunderstandingofeachathlete allowing more objective selection decisions to be made.

Selection

Ateachstageoftheapplicationprocessathleteswillreceivefeedbackontheirprogress.Athleteswhoareunsuccessfulwillbegivensomefollowupadvicetosupportafuturesuccessfulapplication.

Academiesarenormallysplitinto2categories:

1. AffiliatesorDevelopmentSquad (Regiondependent)

2.FullAcademymembers

FinalselectiontoeitherAcademy,AffiliateorDevelopmentSquadisregionspecific.

Academies vary across regions according tonumbers,setupandcurrentstandards.Normally,AffiliatesorDevelopmentSquadmemberswillbeexpectedtoscorearound320pointsasaminimumstandardforentryaswellasreflectthedevelopmentandassociatedprofessionalbehavioursalignedtotheADF.FullAcademymembersnormallywillneedtoscoreintheregionof340pointsalongwithevidencingthesupportingbehavioursanddevelopmentinlinewiththeADF.

6. The Inter Regional Championship (IRC)

TheInter-RegionalChampionshiptakesplaceannuallyaspartoftheBritishTriathlonUnder20’sFestivalandisacompetitionwhichbringstogetherteamsfromeachEnglishregionalongwithWales,ScotlandandJersey.There

are12athletesintotalwhichincludes3athletesfromTristar2andTristar3agecategoriesforbothmalesandfemales.

Whilst Academy athletes will race at theUnder20’sFestivalintheYouthandJuniorracesandinexceptionalcircumstancestheIRC’sthemselves(finalyearTS3)theIRCteamisnotrelatedtotheAcademy.However,manyIRCathletesmayaspiretobecomeAcademyathletes.Goodperformance

intheIRCraceshouldnotbetakenasanindicationthatyoumayachievethestandardrequiredforAcademyselection. Academy selection is not baseduponperformanceattheIRC’sinsteadswimmingandrunningtimesalongwiththepre-requisiteperformancebehavioursandthebroaderphysicalabilitiesandskillsthatmakeupstage3arevitaltoAcademyselectionandsubsequentsuccess.

7. Considerations for longer term success and selection into the Regional Academy

Whole Athlete Development

Triathlonismassivelyphysicalandathleteswillhavetodoalotoftrainingtobesuccessful.Developingaloveofthesportishuge.TrainingasPlayisthefirstpillarforareason,ifathletesdon’tlearntolovetheirtrainingitishighlyunlikelytheywilltransitionsuccessfullytoseniorracing.Supportingandguidingyourathleteinlovingwhattheydoiscritical.

However,itisn’tallaboutswim/bikeandruneither.Independentlearning,problemsolvinganddecisionmakingarehugelyimportantforlongertermsuccess.InlinewiththeADFathletesshouldbesupportedtoexploreallthepillarsandwithineachtostarttotakeguidedownershipoftheirlearningjourney.Atallpointseffortsshouldbemadetoactivelyexposeathletesandletthemexplorethedecision-makingprocessthatwillsupporttheirwholedevelopment.

Swimming

IswheremostTriathletesstartandwhilstsomedo,mostTriathlonclubsdonotoffertherequisitenumberofweeklyswimmingsessionssojoiningaswimmingclubandprogressingtoaswimmingsquadisoftenvital.OnaverageAcademymemberswillswimbetween6and10hoursaweekdependingontheirsquad,age,levelandothercommitments.Weadviseathletestobecompetentinallfourstrokes.Thisnotonlydevelopsmoreskillfulswimmersinthelongertermbutalsohelpsgainentrytomostswimsquadswhowilloftenassesscompetencyusinganindividualmedley(IM).Beingaswimclubmembergivesaccessto‘openmeets’aswellasCounty,AreaandNationalChampionships.TimesfromallsucheventswillberecordedontheBritishSwimmingdatabaseandsocanbeusedtoevidenceyourswimabilityforAcademyapplications.

Running

Ifyouaren’talreadystartrunningeventsonthetrack,preferablywitharunningclubandcompetein800/1500/3000m/5000mandParkRunsonarelativelyregularbasis.Dependingonyourage,your1500or3000mtracktimeshouldbeofprimeimportance.AllofficialclubandopenathleticsmeetingswillhavetimesloggedonUKAthleticsPower of 10 website.

CrossCountryrunningisverymuchencouragedandwhilstnotcountingtoAcademyorEnglandTalentSquadselectionsresultsinCounty,RegionalandNationalcompetitionsarelookedat.GiventherequiredstrengthandaerobicrobustnesselementsthereisastrongfunctionalcrossoverfromCrossCountryrunningtooffthebikeTriathlonrunning.

Runninggiventheimpactthroughthebodyandinparticularfeetandlowerlegs,shouldbeintroducedslowlyandwithcoachedsupport.

Cycling

Groupridingskillsandtheabilitytoride‘onthewheel’orincloseproximitytoothersonabikeisimportantinEliteTriathlon.Joiningalocalcyclinggroup/cluborcyclingwiththelocaltriathlonclubisbeneficialforcyclingandtriathlonrelatedskills.Ingeneral,just‘ridingabike’willhelptodevelopcyclingskillsandfitness,whetherroad,mountainbikeorcyclo-cross.However,athletesareencouragedtodoasmuchgroupridingaspossible.Bikeracesarefrequentacrossallareasofthecountryandathleteswhohavemasteredgroupridingskillsareencouragedtoraceinanyofendurancecyclingdisciplines–cyclo-cross(winter)orroad/mountainbike(summer).Groupridingskillsareessentialasall“SuperSeries”YouthandJuniorracesaredraftlegal.

Strength and Conditioning

Tounderpinthesportsthreedisciplinesagoodregularstrengthandconditioningprogrammewillhelpbuildarobustathlete,preventinjuryandbettersupport/enablecontinueddevelopmentinthelongerterm.Aroutineshouldformpartofaregularweeklytrainingprogrammeandbecomeequallyasimportantastrainingintheotherthreedisciplines.

BritishTriathlonhasaguideavailablethatcanbeusedtoformthebasisofaregularroutine,whichallowsflexibilitytoaddspecificexercisesifrequiredtounderpinanyweaknessesoridentifiedneeds.Thiscanbefoundhere.WhilsttheseexercisesareagreatguidewewouldadviseanyathleteundertakinganS+Cprogrammetoseekadvicefromaqualifiedcoach.

Training Balance Across Disciplines

Thisisverydifficulttogivegeneraladviceonasallathleteshavedifferentstrengthsandweaknesses.

Therearesomecommonprinciplesherethough.

• Foryoungerathletes(11-12),joiningaswimclubshouldtakepriorityoverjoiningarunningclub.Runningcanbedevelopedfrom13/14yearsofageonwardsrelativelyquicklyespeciallywhenanathletehasthestrongaerobicbackgroundthat swimming gives

• Ifasaparentyouarerightlyconcernedabouttoomuchactivityeachweek,focusonswimmingandkeeptherunning/cycling‘tickingover’whenyounger(e.g.1sessionperweek)

• Cyclinghaslessimpactonthebodyintermsofweightbearingandsocanbeintroducedmorequicklythanrunningbutagainforthevastmajorityofyoungerathletesshouldnotdetractfromswimmingbeingthemainfocusuptotheagesofatleast15/16

• Involvetheathleteinthedecisionmakingprocess(InformedChoice)tohelptobuildtheirunderstandingofwhattheyaredoingintraining(IntelligentTraining)andguidethemintakingsmallstepstobuildtowardsthemtakingsomeownershipoftheiroverallprogramme (LearningtoLead)

• Acoachwhoknowstheathleteandtheirstrengths/weaknessesisinvaluableinsupportingthisprocess

8. Competition, Equipment and Selection Policies

Super Series

The British Youth and Junior Super Series is designed to give athletes the chancetoraceatahigh(national)levelonmultipleoccasions.ItprovidesexcellentopportunitiesanditisakeypartofasuiteofexperienceswefeelarenecessarytosupportathletedevelopmentthroughtheAcademyyears.Wherepossibleracesarespreadoutacrossthecountryandevenlythroughtheseason.Coursedesignandvenuesarealsolookedattosupportathletes inexperiencingabroadrangeofracingstylesandtypese.g.

• Format–singlerace,heatsandfinals,mixedteamrelay,triathlon,duathlon• Swim–beach,pontoon,deepwaterstart,saltwater,freshwater• Bike/Run–flat,rollingandhillybikeandruncourses

Performance Assessments

AreanannualeventacrosseachHomeNation–theynormallyhappeninApril.Theirmainpurposeistoprovideallathletesacrossthecountry,whetheramemberofanAcademyornotafairchancetoqualifyforentrytotheSuperSeries.ResultsofthePerformanceAssessmentcreatea‘rolldown’listthatisusedastheorderofentryforallSuperSeriesevents.StartplaceswillrolldownthelistinorderoffinishattheAssessmentsuntiltheparticulareventisfull.TheweekendalsoprovidesbothathletesandparentsworkshopsandpresentationsfromWorldClassandHomeNationProgrammestaffandathletesdesignedtobetteraidandsupportwholeathletedevelopment.Allathletesareexpectedtoattendtotrialforplaces,thosewithillness/injuryorexceptionalextenuatingcircumstanceswillneed to contact Sophie Lewis at sophielewis@britishtriathlon.org. More informationcanbefoundhere.

Gear Restrictions

AthletesatYouthageraceonrestrictedgearsinalldraftingevents.ThoseinTristar2and3arealsorestrictedinthemajorityofthedraftingeventstheyracetoo. Gearrestrictionsareinplaceforanumberofreasons:

• Improved pedalling technique–thehighercadencesrequireathletestoimprovethis

• Development of Race-craft–groupsformmoreeasilywhenathletesarerestricted,thissupportsthedevelopmentofbetterracecraft,decisionmakingandtacticalawareness/understanding

• Impact of Physical Development –withoutrestrictionsmorephysicallydevelopedathletescanrelyonridingbiggergearstobeatlessdevelopedathletes.Relianceonpowerdoesn’tworkatseniorlevel;race-craft,guileanddecisionmakingdoes

• Energy Expenditure–racinginabunchisstochastic.Ridingatahighercadenceallowsathletestomanagethesepacechangesmoresmoothlywithlessenergycost.Restrictinggearshelpsdevelopahigher cadence

• Competitive Advantage-Ahighnumberofseniorathletes(maleandfemale)indraftingtriathlondonotpedalwell.Exploitingthishasperformanceimpactforourathletesinternationally

• Athlete Development-Whicheverpathanathletefollows;drafting,non-draftingorlife-longparticipation,theopportunitytodevelopefficientpedallingtechniquewillbeofbenefit

• Athlete Education - Learning to restrict gears means athletes will havetodevelopakeenerunderstandingofhowtheirbikeworksmechanically

• Reduced Injury Risk-Alotofyoungathletesridebikessetupforadultsthatareinappropriatefortheirstageofphysicaldevelopment.Ridingageappropriategearslowerstheforceproductionneededthrougheachpedalstrokeandreducesinjuryrisk

Moreinformationongearrestrictionsandwheelregulationscanbefoundonourwebsite here.

Equipment and Kit

CompetingacrossthreesportsataNationallevelisanexpensivebusiness.Whilstthereisanexpectationthatathleteshavetherightkittocompetesafelyandproperlywedonotexpectnorencourageathletestohavethemostexpensiveandlatestpiecesofequipment.Inmostcyclingandtriathlonclubstheretendstobeagoodsecondmarketandwewouldcertainlyencouragethisespeciallywithgrowingathletes.AlongertermfocusonathletedevelopmentinlinewiththeADFisalwaysourpreferenceratherthanfocussingonmarginalequipmentgainsthatmighthelpintheshortterm. WhilstathletesarerequiredtoraceinITUregulationrace-suitsinternationallye.g.countrycode/athletenameonthesuit/nofrontzip;thereisnoexpectationtodothisatSuperSerieslevel.MostAcademieswillhaveathletesracinginternationallyandsoAcademyrace-suitswillnormallybedesignedtomeetITUregulations.

International Racing

Internationalracingcanplayanimportantpartinthedevelopmentjourneyoffutureworldleadingathletes. Thereare2mainopportunitiesforyoungerathleteshere:

• JuniorandYouthEuropeanandWorldChampionships• EuropeanTriathlonUnion(ETU)JuniorCups

Junior and Youth European and World Championships

TheseeventsprovidedsomeofourcurrentWorldleadingathleteswiththeirfirsttasteofInternationalracing.Whilsttheyprovidesomegreatexperiences,andformanyYouthsandJuniorsareakeyfocus,itmustberememberedthatitisstillpossibletobecomealeadingseniorathletewithoutbeingselectedtoraceatthislevelatthisage.PleasenoteEuropeanandBritishagegroupsdonot align. Athletesareeligibleforselectionatthefollowingages:

• Youth15/16/17attheendoftheyearofcompetition• Junior16*/17/18/19attheendoftheyearofcompetition *Whilst16yearoldsareeligibletoraceoversprintdistanceinEuropeitis

veryunusualforustoselectathletesthisyoungtoraceatthislevelastheycompeteoverSuperSprintdistancesintheUK,anddonotnormallyhavethephysicalmaturityorconditioningtocompetewiththeworld’sbestoverthelongersprintdistance

BritishTriathlonsupportsteamsinthefollowingevents:

• Youth–EuropeanYouthChampionships• Junior–European&WorldChampionshipsinTriathlonandDuathlon Selectionpoliciesfortheseeventscanbefoundhere.

ETU Junior Cups

TheseessentiallyareasteppingstonebetweenSuperSeriesandInternationalChampionshipevents.JuniorCupsarespreadthroughouttheseasonandalloverEurope.Theyprovideexcellentexperientialdevelopmentopportunitiesforathletesofanappropriatestandard.TheJuniorGatewayeventsinMayandattheendoftheseason(August/September)aretheentrypointintoETUCups.Theselectionpolicycanfoundhere.

ETU Health Check

AllJunior/YouthathletescompetinginternationallyinITU/ETUeventsarerequiredtocompleteapre-participationevaluation(PPE)screening.Failuretodosowillresultinyounotbeingabletobeselectedandentered.Suchevaluationsarebeingintroducedacrosssportstobetteridentifyathletesatriskfromelectricalorstructuralheartabnormalitiesthatmayhaveseriousrepercussionsintrainingandracing.Detailsofhowtocompletethisscreeningcanbefound here. AthleteswhohavecompletedCRY(CardiacRiskintheYoung)screeningwillfulfilalargepartoftherequiredcriteria.CRYscreeningisofferedbi-annuallyatthePerformanceAssessmentsweekend.Resultsfromthescreeninglastfor2yearsatwhichpointare-testisrequired.

www.britishtriathlon.org