Youth Coaching

The weekly Saturday morning off road sessions are open to all ages and abilities up to 16 years old. The Barnesbury is a British Cycling 'Go Ride' Club with Sport England ClubMark status – meaning youngsters and parents can be assured of the quality of the coaching being delivered. Clubs under the Go Ride scheme agree to make sure that the riders are trained by qualified coaches and supported by properly trained officials.

The club aims at “developing your potential”, meaning that our aim is to provide high quality coaching and support for young riders to achieve their potential in the sport, whatever level that might be. You do not have to be a member of the Barnesbury to attend these sessions, however we do have a very good package for those interested in joining the club (riders from other clubs can also join the Barnesbury as 2nd claim riders).

The focus of the sessions will be to develop the skill and fitness of every young rider attending, whatever their current level. Improving their bike handling and confidence in the process of making new friends is a winning combination to encourage riders to have a go at the entry level races and events that we promote throughout the year. Hopefully riders enjoying their racing will go on to take part in regional and perhaps even national events.

If you are interested or even just curious, pop along to one of the coaching sessions listed in the diary and introduce yourself to one of the coaches. Everyone in the club, was at one stage, new to the club... in fact we have new people joining every month. You will find lots of encouragement, support and information to get you involved in the range of activities which we run.

What to Bring

At our sessions our coaches use most parts of Gallagher Park. Riders will need either own cyclo cross or mountain bike for the off road sessions, or a mountain bike or BMX bike for the fortnightly BMX sessions. We do not have a full range of equipment to lend out to those without their own equipment, however we do have a limited range of bikes to loan (if you would like to loan a bike for a session please contact us prior to the session for availability. Those without a helmet can still attend, as we have a number of full face and normal helmets to loan. You also need to bring suitable clothing for the conditions and session (BMX sessions need trousers top with sleeves and full finger gloves), a parent to sign the attendance sheet and the session fee (£1 for members and £3 for non members). You may also need a drink!

Coaches and Child Welfare Officers

Stephen McIntosh is a very experienced British Cycling qualified Club Coach. Involved in developing the initial BC coaching programme he was also involved in the NE Talent Team process of talent ID. He helped develop Hetton Hawks and coached riders of every ability including riders now on the Olympic Development Squad. Stephen is currently updating his qualification to include Level 2 MTB.

Gordon Hodgson has recently undertaken a Level 2 BC Coaching Course and is our qualified BMX coach. Gordon has been a keen leisure cyclist all of his life beginning with BMX, then road and finally MTB and BMX where his passion now lies. Gordon says his main reason for getting into coaching is to encourage the next generation of riders to enjoy cycling as much as he does, making it a pleasurable experience that they will hopefully want to continue throughout their lives but most of all have fun doing it while at the same time increasing their confidence, fitness and skill levels!

Jonathon Caisley has undertaken and qualified as a Level 2 BC Coaching Course in May 2012 and is keen to help develop our talented youngsters, Jon is a very competitive rider in road, MTB and cross and regularly competes throughout the year.

Simon Watson is  Level 2 BC Coach in both BMX & Mountain Biking.

Paul Wann & Sharon Dyson are our Club Welfare Officers. Overseeing the coaching and rider process making sure the process is to the benefit of all the children attending our sessions. Any Safeguarding issues can be addresses by contacting us.

Ann Hodgson is our Breeze Ride (women only rides) co-ordinator, who specifically develops rides for beginner women wanting to ride with like minded people.

Location

Our Youth Coaching is held at Gallagher Park
Directional details from the A1 and A189
From A1
Take the Stannington turn off, head towards Bedlington through Nedderton village. Turn left at the Red Lion roundabout in Bedlington, taking the right at Morrisons roundabout (Glebe Rd/Schaulksmuhle Rd). Travel past the Police Station (left) and turn left at the detached house on the left opposite Tesco car park before the Vulcan Garage. Parking is 1km up a single track road in Gallagher Park itself.
From A189
Take the Three Horse Shoes slip road signposted Cramlington. On the roundabout take the 2nd exit signposted Bedlington. Travel into Bedlington on Horton Rd. Entering Bedlington turn right immediately after the church (which is on the left). Note a zebra crossing at this junction. Take the next left onto Schaulksmuhle Rd and turn right next to a detached house immediately after the Vulcan garage.
Nearest Postcode: NE22 7LA

Competition

The club regularly hold beginner race activity to encourage riders from coaching into the competitive world of cycle sport. Types of races do vary and include MTB, Cyclo-cross, grass track and BMX. Please see keep an eye on website for further details. The club is developing a winter series that will be organised after Christmas.