130 | Cycling World
Becoming a Cycling Student
Writtle University College , near Chelmsford , Essex , has launched a new cycling academy with local team On�orm � the first of its kind in the �� . The innovative partnership means Cycling Performance students can participate in organised cycling races and events , whilst receiving the support and guidance of industry experts as they continue their educational journey . Cycling World spoke to course leader and coach to elite cyclists , Mark Walker .
�The industry has developed beyond recognition in the last few years . � bought my first bike maga�ine in 1983 , joined a local club and started racing . My friends thought I was very strange ! Even ten years ago , you couldn ’ t launch a course like this ; it ’ s a very recent phenomenon . It ’ s been fuelled by the Olympic success , the accessibility of cycling and the fact that , for some
people , cycling has become a status symbol . There is a real spectacle around cycling now – the bikes have become more comfortable and more attractive , so there are opportunities in technology and retail that weren ’ t there before . Then there are a lot more people who want advice about cycling as they take on greater challenges . The result is that we have youngsters who want to make it as professional cyclists or coaches and , typically , more mature students who want a career change and to break into this industry that supports their amateur racing . W�C has been responsive to that and it fits with our history in delivering courses that are specialist and land-based . We are interested in giving students the opportunity to pursue their cycling ambitions , whether that is racing , coaching , cycling development , working in charities , retail or new technology . It ’ s a very vibrant industry with a lot of exciting opportunities for graduates with the right skills . but it�s risky going into professional sport . There are lots of talented people around but very few make it through to elite or professional ranks . They are aware that they need a ‘ plan B ’ and keeping up with their education is key to that . The course offers them the possibility to study in a way that facilitates them as a developing cyclist , as it is based around the summer season and some of the teaching is compressed , so students leave at the end of �ebruary and undertake work-based learning in a variety of roles within the cycling industry until they return in September . They have seven months where they are balancing cycling and studying . The academic side � which is applied Sports Science with a strong �avour of cycling delivered by tutors with a pedigree in coaching � enriches their work in the industry . Their work-based experience is then re�ected in their coursework . �t gives it a good balance .
“ Our strength is in our collaborations . We work with local facilities such as the Velodrome in London and Hadleigh Park Mountain Bike Circuit , as well as the local clubs and teams . OnForm gives our students a further opportunity . Team riders , which include current and former world , national and regional champions , are already participating in high-profile national series events across the �� . The team gives them the chance to become involved and develop wider skills such as event management , interpersonal skills , building relationships with people and showing leadership . So , for example , WUC students are organising a road race on 24 th September . These softer skills are incredibly important . It ’ s about developing our graduates so they are ready to step into employment . Many people graduate from university and it is not a ticket to a job . Employers like to see that they have actually achieved in real-life situations and gained experience . There are also people who have heard about us through their association with OnForm and have decided to progress to a course here . So it ’ s of mutual benefit .
�We�ve offered the �oundation �egree for three years now . What makes it attractive is that it is structured around the cycling season . We have youngsters who are studying A �evels or BT�Cs and it�s their dream to pursue cycling careers . �or the well-able cyclist , this is a reality ,