Inside the new foundation degree allowing cyclists to combine their training and education
Beeston CC and the University of Derby have launched a new FdA that lets budding racers juggle morning chain-gangs with afternoon lectures, earning a degree without shelving their dream of turning pro.
A new foundation degree centred on cycling is set to offer young riders a solution to the increasingly common dilemma they face on leaving compulsory education. The programme will allow them to continue their studies without compromising their sporting ambitions.
Beeston Cycling Club – the organisation behind the BCC Race Team – and the University of Derby have joined forces to deliver the unique FdA Athlete Professional Development programme, giving talented riders from any club or team the chance to focus on their cycling while simultaneously working towards a recognised qualification.
What we have created is a course aimed at those who are looking to continue pursuing an elite athletic career and how we can facilitate education alongside that in a meaningful, noticeable way
“What we have created is a course aimed at those who are looking to continue pursuing an elite athletic career, in this case cyclists, and how we can facilitate education alongside that in a meaningful, noticeable way,” said Dr Andy Hooton, Head of School of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Derby.
Image: supplied
Placing cycling at the centre of their studies, riders will train under the tutelage of Bryan Steel, the University’s Head Cycling Coach and DS of the BCC Race Team, as well as having access to workshops surrounding the different aspects of life as an elite athlete.
Steel’s vision is to create a dedicated, tight-knit training group out of the small cohort, capitalising on the University’s state-of-the-art sports facilities, the Derbyshire lanes situated within a stone’s throw of the campus, and the University’s partnership with the Derby Arena velodrome, with a focus towards the National Team Pursuit Championships and BUCS Track Championships.
It’s not solely for GB-level riders or elite-level riders; it’s mainly riders who are probably aspiring to be that but not quite at that level yet
“It’s not solely for GB-level riders or elite-level riders; it’s mainly riders who are probably aspiring to be that but not quite at that level yet,” said Steel. The training is tailored around the academic side of the course, which is scheduled over two to three days of the week.
Focused around personal and professional development, Dr Andy Hooton says the academic side of the course allows a degree of flexibility, working on transferable skills such as planning and communication, with the onus on the student to decide the direction of travel, maximising its appeal to a wide range of riders. “The way we’ve developed the programme is not necessarily the standard, ‘this is the knowledge base you need to acquire’. It’s very much around personal and professional development at the centre, with knowledge layered around that,” he explained. “It’s about supporting the athlete’s journey, where their interests lie, and where they want to go with things.”
Now expanding into cycling with Beeston Cycling Club, the course has been running with football as its focus for the previous two academic years, the first cohort due to graduate this summer.
Image: supplied
“A lot of people, in football and cycling, sacrifice a lot in the pursuit of elite sporting endeavours and don’t necessarily have the associated qualifications to fall back on, and I guess this has been praised as an appropriate balance to fall back on to make sure people are able to progress the two equally, I guess,” said Hooton, pointing out that the vast majority of the first cohort will be going on to further study or have gained a professional contract or trials.
“Potentially, a lot of those wouldn’t have looked at university without that athletic offering. Now they’ll be studying for a BA Honours degree and it opens up so many more opportunities for them alongside their athletic pursuits.” He continued, pointing out that the entry requirements for the FdA course are set much lower than for other courses in recognition of the potential for the programme to widen participation, with a review process for those who don’t directly meet the requirements, including mature students over the age of 21.
The course is born out of what both parties describe as an alignment of their values, Beeston Cycling Club labelling their academy structure as a sustainable alternative to the traditional team model, with Steel himself realising the importance of such initiatives, having retired from the sport at 35 with no qualifications. “We know not all the riders are going to be able to make a professional career out of cycling, so one thing we’re both passionate about is having that plan B. When I retired, it was almost like ‘what do I do now?’” he reflected.
A new foundation degree centred on cycling is set to offer young riders a solution to the increasingly common dilemma they face on leaving compulsory education. The programme will allow them to continue their studies without compromising their sporting ambitions.
Beeston Cycling Club – the organisation behind the BCC Race Team – and the University of Derby have joined forces to deliver the unique FdA Athlete Professional Development programme, giving talented riders from any club or team the chance to focus on their cycling while simultaneously working towards a recognised qualification.
“What we have created is a course aimed at those who are looking to continue pursuing an elite athletic career, in this case cyclists, and how we can facilitate education alongside that in a meaningful, noticeable way,” said Dr Andy Hooton, Head of School of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Derby.
Placing cycling at the centre of their studies, riders will train under the tutelage of Bryan Steel, the University’s Head Cycling Coach and DS of the BCC Race Team, as well as having access to workshops surrounding the different aspects of life as an elite athlete.
Steel’s vision is to create a dedicated, tight-knit training group out of the small cohort, capitalising on the University’s state-of-the-art sports facilities, the Derbyshire lanes situated within a stone’s throw of the campus, and the University’s partnership with the Derby Arena velodrome, with a focus towards the National Team Pursuit Championships and BUCS Track Championships.
“It’s not solely for GB-level riders or elite-level riders; it’s mainly riders who are probably aspiring to be that but not quite at that level yet,” said Steel. The training is tailored around the academic side of the course, which is scheduled over two to three days of the week.
Focused around personal and professional development, Dr Andy Hooton says the academic side of the course allows a degree of flexibility, working on transferable skills such as planning and communication, with the onus on the student to decide the direction of travel, maximising its appeal to a wide range of riders. “The way we’ve developed the programme is not necessarily the standard, ‘this is the knowledge base you need to acquire’. It’s very much around personal and professional development at the centre, with knowledge layered around that,” he explained. “It’s about supporting the athlete’s journey, where their interests lie, and where they want to go with things.”
Now expanding into cycling with Beeston Cycling Club, the course has been running with football as its focus for the previous two academic years, the first cohort due to graduate this summer.
“A lot of people, in football and cycling, sacrifice a lot in the pursuit of elite sporting endeavours and don’t necessarily have the associated qualifications to fall back on, and I guess this has been praised as an appropriate balance to fall back on to make sure people are able to progress the two equally, I guess,” said Hooton, pointing out that the vast majority of the first cohort will be going on to further study or have gained a professional contract or trials.
“Potentially, a lot of those wouldn’t have looked at university without that athletic offering. Now they’ll be studying for a BA Honours degree and it opens up so many more opportunities for them alongside their athletic pursuits.” He continued, pointing out that the entry requirements for the FdA course are set much lower than for other courses in recognition of the potential for the programme to widen participation, with a review process for those who don’t directly meet the requirements, including mature students over the age of 21.
The course is born out of what both parties describe as an alignment of their values, Beeston Cycling Club labelling their academy structure as a sustainable alternative to the traditional team model, with Steel himself realising the importance of such initiatives, having retired from the sport at 35 with no qualifications. “We know not all the riders are going to be able to make a professional career out of cycling, so one thing we’re both passionate about is having that plan B. When I retired, it was almost like ‘what do I do now?’” he reflected.
More information on the course available here.
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