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

2023/24 Staff

Chris Clarke

Lynne Vaughan

2023/24 Squad

Ethan Aleckson

Oliver Ball

Tyrah Beckinsale

Liam Campbell

Aaron Clay

Callum Crofts

Lachie Crofts

Sebastian Curcio

Harry Greenfield

Edward (Ned) Grootenboer

Ryan Lewis

Gillie Macken

Summer Price

Byron Tynan

Hugh Vaughan

Athlete Profiles

Scholarship Components

Academy Games

Skill Development

S&C Testing

Strength & Conditioning

Education Session

Education Sessions


1

2024/25 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 2025 (born 2006-2012). 

Special consideration may be given to cyclists outside the eligibility criteria, subject to the approval of the IAS Board.


2

2024/25 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

2024/25 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.

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