Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking
Want to take your Mountain Biking to the next level?
The IAS Mountain Biking Program is designed to support the developmental needs of the regions emerging talented MTB athletes by providing industry leading high-performance sport development programs. Scholarships are offered for a 12-month period commencing in October and concluding in September. The aim of the program is to provide additional skill development in the performance pathway, in addition to their daily training environment and club training.
The MTB program identifies both Endurance-based disciplines (XCC, XCO, XCM, XCEMTB, Cyclocross, etc) and the gravity disciplines (GE Gravity Enduro, DHI, 4 Cross, etc).
The program will provide coaching, training and competition to improve athlete development with a view to:
- The primary focus of the Academy program is to provide the necessary resources for riders to perform well at identified MTB events and ultimately at National level.
- Develop the skill level of athletes which will enhance their opportunities for selection into national teams/squads and the NSWIS program as scholarship holders.
- Prepare athletes to a level where their transition to the NSWIS (NSW Institute of Sport) squad is ‘seamless’
- Increase the level of success of those athletes at competition and events
- Provide an introduction and progression into sport specific strength and conditioning
- Provide education around athletic development as well as personal development in topics such as Nutrition, Sport Psychology, Media Skills / Public Speaking, Youth Leadership, Drugs in Sport
- The program will conduct weekly skills based and strength and conditioning training to which attendance is expected
2022/23 Staff
Chris Clarke
Lynne Vaughan
2022/23 Squad
Ethan Aleckson
Oliver Ball
Callum Crofts
Lachie Crofts
Sebastian Curcio
April Foster
Finn Lewis
Ryan Lewis
Alix Luckman
Harry Ludman
Gillie Macken
Poppy Pollock
Jillian Raftery
Kyuss Reinhard
Byron Tynan
Hugh Vaughan
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2023/24 Scholarship
Athlete Eligibility
To be eligible for an IAS Cycling MTB Scholarship, athletes must:
- Reside within the Illawarra Region, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven and Wingecarribee
- Be a registered member of a cycling club affiliated with AUS Cycling
- Be in the AusCycling U15, U17 and U19 age category in 2024 (born 2005-2010).
Special consideration may be given to cyclists outside the eligibility criteria, subject to the approval of the IAS Board.
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2023/24 Scholarship
Selection Criteria
Satisfy the eligibility criteria and demonstrate the following qualities;
- Demonstrate through past performance and/or potential, the ability to reach or exceed a top 5 place at NSW Championships within 12 months
- Physical abilities and physical skills considered to be essential for eventual success in cycling
- Display attitude, commitment and dedication to improving performance
- Display an ability to apply coaching & technical instruction
- The ability or potential to work as part of a team to achieve excellence
NB: Subjectivity is an unavoidable element of selection to the IAS Cycling Squad.
3
2023/24 Scholarship
Trial
Applications close: 9am 11 September 2023
Trials/Interviews: Mid/late September 2023. Trials/testing may be required, athletes will be notified if they are required for an interview or trial.
Athletes who meet automatic qualification standards will be notified and not need to attend the trials/Interviews.
Automatic qualification can be reached by achieving one or more of the following criteria:
- Previous selection in IAS Cycling squad with satisfactory approval from Head Coach
- Head Coach recommendation from application
- Top 3 result at a state level competition or championship
- Selection in a state/national team
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2023/24 Scholarship
Fees
IAS athletes are required to purchase the IAS squad uniform, they also are required to contribute to additional components of the programs such as camps.
