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Structured for Success at the 2012 National Junior Skills Camp

Published Date

Written by Una McKay

From October 19th-21st the Australian Institute of Sport Canberra and surrounding hills was a hive of activity as forty interstate riders were tested and coached to become holistically stronger athletes.

Over forty junior riders came to improve their talent physically, tactically, technically and excelled working together as a team at the third successful National Skills Development camp.

Riders across 5 States & 2 territories proudly represented their local club of which included; Red Hill Riders, Canberra Off Road Cyclists, Darwin Off Road Cyclists, Brisbane MTBC, Noosa Trail Blazers, Western Sydney MTBC, Dirt Riders and Central Australian Rough Riders.  

Fresh off the podium from the QLD state Championships, Dean Madden (Brisbane South Mountain Bike Club) and Jonathan Noble (Noosa Trailblazers Mountain Bike Club) were keen to learn as much from the coaches and through the skills sessions.  Each rider completed a number of skill based activities as well as presentations on hydration, and sports science. Expert MTBA coaches applied verbal feedback and diagnostic assessment at the excellent AIS facilities.

U17 Manager Greg Meyland explained ‘The camp gives me the initial head start to my objectives before the National Season commences. I have had the opportunity to communicate and understand where our riders are at, and what steps they they will endeavour to take to reach their highest potential’.

U17 National Series cross-country Champion for 2011, Hamish Prosser’s aim in his third camp was to focus on ‘what I have to do to see how I can improve in 2013’.

Downhill Manager Jared Rando stated,  "This camp is a fantastic initiative by MTBA's EDP. It gives young athletes from both DH and XC a taste of what lays ahead of them as a future representative of Australian Mountain Biking. In many ways, it's the first step to becomming a professional racer and learning what it will take to get there. It's a unique opportiunity for the young racers of Australia, backed by a solid philosophy in what it takes to develop our young athletes." 

Jared also welcomed testing across the disciplines of 4X, XC and DH 'there are lots to be learnt from each other'.  The athletes were delighted to have Rando's calibre available after his teams 2012 performances with: World Championship's Bronze medalists Danielle Beecroft (Junior Female DH) and Connor Fearon (Junior Male DH).  Elite Mens DH team who established Australia as the Number 1 Nation and to the Junior Mens DH team who took Australia to Number 2 Nation .

The athletes learnt how important it is to focus on a dynamic warmup 'it’s recommended to integrate small session of strength and core stability even before you get onto the bike at least three times a week' said MTBA’s strength and conditioning coach Dave Signor.

Highly experinced NTID coach Tim Ellison with the National Sporting Director structured the camp sessions to the finest of detail to build on fundamental skills to enable our Australian athletes to compete with the best.

'You need to become physically, technically and then tactically strong', Tim stressed that 'success also comes from training as one team moving forward, to perform as a World class rider you also have to be a team player and contribute with your excellent individual characteristics'

Independence, hardiness, enjoyment and motivation were amongst the key feedback items the coaches encouraged as aims for the next 12 months.

Sport Director Chris Clarke congratulated all clubs in their junior development and closed the weekend by encouraging riders to share their results and camp information with parents, coaches and friends who want to improve their skills, ’We encourage a culture of excellence. Take this weekend and apply all you have learnt to your training, set goals on what you want to achieve, you have opportunities to be successful but you need to practice to be successful'

MTBA wishes to thank sport specific Coaches Tim Ellsion, Greg Meyland, Jared Rando, Donna Dall, Dave Signor, Rebecca Ellison, Peter Frew and also local CORC development officer Phillip McCorkell for their extended assistance. Also a special mention to Sarah O’Callaghan from CORC for her assistance.

(Information including the 'structures for success' document will be available online soon and to contact a coach please email  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Photos on CyclingAustralia-MTB Facebook)