Team Saskatchewan 2009 High Performance (HP) Development Program

Updated on March 23, 2009

2009 Team Sask HP Development Program Spring Newsletter (March 23, 2009)

2009 Schedule

On this page you will find information about:

• Mandate of the HP Dev Program
• Benefits for members of the HP Development Program
• Requirements for HP development program cyclists, including -membership form in pdf ( in word) for athletes with SCA race licenses in the Under 17/ Junior/ Under 23/ Senior age categories
• Necessary forms for participation on HP-organized trips, including:
  -medical form
  -code of conduct
  -athlete agreement, including fundraising
  Athlete Assistance
• Factors in athlete evaluation for Tiering, Funding and Race Selection
• Tiering descriptions, and benefits
• Other athlete considerations
• Canada Games 2009 - age criteria
• Selection criteria for National road, mountain bike, and cyclocross
• Proposed 2008 HP development trips and camps
• CCA Long Term Athlete Development Model (LTAD)
• NEW: Spread Sheet Summary of the CCA Long Term Athlete Development Model (LTAD)
  

HP Development Program Mandate

The mandate of the SCA 'Excellence' budget, or HP Development Program, is to develop talented and self-motivated cyclists to reach the Canadian National Team level of performance, i.e. carded athletes at the Learn-to-Win and Training-to-Win phases of the LTAD (Spread Sheet Summary) that are successfully competing internationally. The focus to accomplish this mandate is to develop both NCCP Level 3 coaches, as well as cyclists primarily in the Junior, Under 23 and Senior age categories. Exceptional Under 17 cyclists selected to race at a National Junior level of performance excellence are included in this mandate.

A successful HP Development Program is indebted to the significant and fundamental contribution of grassroots cycling clubs and their volunteers in creating a mutually beneficial environment that fosters both the growth of cycling as a sport and opportunities for young athletes. Therefore, the HP Development Program is also intent to support Masters cyclists in their personal goals towards performance excellence (link to Benefits for Licensed Riders).

Benefits for HP Development Program cyclists:

• Selection-based access to development camps and out-of-province race trips
• Performance and age-based selection to Provincial Teams, including Western Canada Summer Games (WCSG), Canada Summer Games, (CSG Cyclists must be under 23 years of age and at least 17 years of age as of December 31, 2009 (year of birth 1987-1992), and National Rd, Mtb, and CX.
• Limited opportunity for non-selected athletes to participate in Team Sask trips on a partially-supported basis.
• Partially-subsidized, out-of-province warm weather training camp
• Priority-based loan of SCA-owned cycling training equipment, e.g. indoor trainers
• Subsidized Team Sask cycle clothing for purchase or loan
• Free Maximum Aerobic Power tests (MAP) 3 times per year, by authorized SCA testers, as per Testing Protocols.
• Fitness and performance testing under controlled setting.
• Priority referral to NCCP-certified cycling coaches
• Private consultation with a designated Athlete Rep (Brad Kerr is the Athlete Rep for 2008, contact him for information)
• Tier-specific benefits including: Athletes Assistance; SCA webpage personal profiling; priority selection to National events; Sport Science counseling on Mental Training, Nutrition, Weights, etc.
• Games-specific access to Sport Science counseling on Mental Training, Nutrition, Weights, etc. as arranged by Games Head Coach.

Requirements for HP Development Program cyclists:

• Must have completed the SCA Cup Series in Road and/or mountain bike.
• During license renewal, fill-in and submit electronically the HP Development Program membership form . Deliver all other forms requiring signatures: medical form, code of conduct, athlete agreement, including fundraising, directly to the SCA office.
• Must commit to and submit results of Testing Protocols as set out by the HP Committee.
• Attend or teleconference, with your coach and/or parent/guardian present, specified HP cyclist meetings: i) Fall Review and ii) Spring Program Intro.
• Have a NCCP Level 1 personal cycling coach (Under 17/ Junior*/ Under 23*/ Senior*), or submit full season training program for review by HP Director Elite (Under 23/ Senior only). *Level III coach recommended.
• Cyclists and/or their designate must participate in designated fundraising or sponsorship initiatives raised by the HP committee (link to Athlete Agreement)
• Cyclists must register as Team Saskatchewan. Partially-funded cyclists must wear Team Sask race jerseys. Fully-funded cyclists must race in complete Team Sask kit, including but not limited to jerseys and shorts.
• Electronically submit the Athletes Trip Report upon completion of trip.
• Must have a strong desire to succeed in the competitive atmosphere of cycle racing, possess a team spirit, and desire to have fun.

Athletes Assistance

Athletes Assistance (AA) is funded by Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation. The Sport funds are administered by Sasksport to provide direct financial assistance to Saskatchewan High Performance cyclists. The Sasksport-directed intent of AA is to provide funding to individual athletes based on their demonstrated commitment to the highest level of sport performance and development, allowing them to pursue athletic excellence at the highest levels of national and international competition.

How does it work?

The SCA is required to apportion a minimum of 10% of the 35% spending requirement on the HP or ‘Excellence’ budget towards AA. Those funds are to be spent at the sole discretion of the athlete, from a list of suitable expenditures. In most years, the minimum amount required, approximately $4200, will be directed to AA.

How is it determined who receives funding?

All interested and age-eligible (under 25) athletes will submit their application for AA at the conclusion of the race season and no later than Dec. 31st of that sameyear.  These applications include information on race histories and results, both in and out-of-province, personal goals, and training programs.  These interested athletes are then ranked or tiered in order to make a fair and equitable decision. 

Why is race season evaluation for ranking purposes difficult?

This process is very difficult given the unique Saskatchewan race scene.  Our specific concerns:
1)      due to the small number of racers in several age/skill categories, in-province race results are in many cases not overly significant in determining skill and potential to medal at National-level events.
2)      very few athletes race out-of-province to establish their own race credentials, or these results have not been reported to HP.
3)      the Saskatchewan terrain does not provide exposure to a wide range of racing experience necessary for developing riders.

What can HP do about this?

1)      Communicate to racers in all categories they should attempt to race out-of-province if necessary to establish their race credentials and improve their tiering.  This may be at their own expense, and/or the racer should participate in partially-funded, out-of-province dev trips.
2)       In MTB, only the U15, U17, and JR Exp Male category results are considered significant. ‘Elite’ athletes must hold an Elite license.
3)      In Road, JR M must race Cat 3 and U23/Sr M race Cat 1/2 to be considered Elite.
4)      Womens’ results suffer the most from low category numbers.  It is the intent of HP to assist in out-of-province dev trips and recruitment efforts for women, where possible.

The HP committee applied the following selection criteria for funding and tiering.

1)      must hold current SCA license
2)      can’t be nationally carded
3)      priority order of funding is category based: 1)Jr/Espoir 2) Sr Elite (U25) 3) outstanding Cadets (must race Sask Jr) and 4) Sr Elite (25+).
4)      30+ athletes racing Sr Elite with several years race experience may be eligible for SCA funding in the form of logistical support.
5)      Significant race results to be awarded HP Points include race categories with 5 or more racers and finishes within 5% of 1^st place. National events must have 3 provinces or territories present and 5 or more racers to be considered.
6)      Significant race results include: Provincial Road Race, Time Trial and MTB Championships; Provincial Road and MTB Series winners; and Top 10 National Race finishes, including Canada Summer Games. Out-of-province race results usually out-rank in-province race results.
7)      Injury cards can be provided to maintain a previous Tier level for 1 season only.

HP Tier Description and Benefits

Tier 4: Under 15/Under 17 - cyclists that may be ready for developmental camps in Road or mountain bike.

Tier 3: Under 17/ Junior/ Senior - cyclists that have established an in-province race history in Road or mountain bike and are ready for developmental race opportunities in Western Canada. These athletes are eligible for:
o Out-of-province dev trips and camps in Western Canada with partial-funding in order of priority ranking shown in chart.

Tier 2: Junior/ Under 23/ Senior Elite and exceptional Under 17 cyclists (must race Junior nationally) with a solid coaching plan and an established in-province race history; are top performers at Provincial Championships and Series and are ready for further development opportunities in Western Canada and likely National events. These athletes receive:
o Athletes Assistance, at a varying rate depending on ranking
o Opportunity to compete for Nationals events or if non-selected to participate on a self-funded basis with logistical support provided by the SCA (must pay own travel)
o Out-of-province dev trips and camps with partial-funding

Tier 1: Junior/ Under 23/ Senior Elite that are likely top Saskatchewan performers at the Provincial Championships and Cup Series; have established a successful out-of- province race history in Western Canada and at National-level events; and are considered to have the current or future potential to 'medal' at National events. These athletes receive:
o Priority-selection to National events at a maximum partial funding rate
o Athletes Assistance at the maximum rate (must be Under 25)
o Out-of-province dev trips and camps with minimum partial funding
o Personal profile and Rider Diary on the SCA-website 
o Access to Sport Science nutritionists, mental training, etc.

Other Athlete Considerations

• Many athletes are not fully using their primary grassroots development tool: the SCA Cup Series in mountain bike, road and cyclocross. These tools are there to help foster the spirit of cycling in Saskatchewan as well as develop the necessary race skills necessary to get to the next level, i.e. out-of-province racing in western Canada.
• Bike handling skills learned in mountain bike or Cyclocross are essential to higher-level cycling. Cyclocross is a late-season, shorter distance event that is ideal for developing bike handling skills not developed on the road and staying on the bike for fun: Cyclocross-specific bike not required. Serious Cyclocross'rs will need access to a Cyclocross-specific bike.
• High-calibre female racers have tremendous opportunity to succeed in the sport of cycling, despite low category numbers in Saskatchewan.
• Review the Long Term Athlete Development Plan (LTAD) in the process of being adopted by all Canadian Sport organizations, including the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) and the SCA-HP Committee. The intent of the LTAD is to provide guidance to sport organizations, athletes and parents as to what level of development and serious endeavor should be applied to athletes and at what age. Whatever your age, read the LTAD to understand where you, your child or your cyclist fits. An interesting fact you will find: 'The 10-year Rule' states that scientific research has concluded that it takes a minimum of 10 years and 10,000 hours of training for a talented athlete to reach elite levels. There are no shortcuts.

2009 Canada Summer Games (CSG)

• CSG's will be held in P.E.I., August 2009.
• Age-eligible athletes include cyclists 22 years of age and at least 17 years of age as of December 31, 2009 (year of birth 1987-1992).
• The Team will comprise 6 Males and 6 Females.
  
  For more information on the 2009 Canada Summer Games refer to the Sask Cycling Games Program Website

2009 Provincial Team Selection (TBA)

• Selection for Road Nationals
• Selection for Mountain Bike Nationals
• Selection for Cyclocross Nationals

2009 Development Trips and Camps

* primary focus group offered 1st deadline
** secondary focus group offered 2nd deadline

The SCA-HP committee reserves the right to cancel any scheduled trip subject to participant pre-registration payment deadlines and availability of coach/manager/mechanic (contact the SCA office if you are interested in offering your services in this position and to review the compensation schedule)