East Midlands

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Regional Academy Selection

The Midlands Academy Selection Trials are now open and will take place on;

Sunday 1st October 2023 - Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, Solihull B91 1NB.

AND

Saturday 7th October 2023 – Leicester Cycle Circuit, North Car Park, St Oswalds Road, Leicester LE3 6RJ.

Applications must be received no later than Sunday 16th September 2023.

Selection Process - Applications

We are looking for athletes who will be aged between 12-19 on 1st September 2023, and have a realistic ambition of achieving the required standards (see below) for their age on the trials day. Those applying to the Academy must be at least Youth A aged 15-16yrs, Youth B 17 and Junior 18-19 for the 2024 season – in the year of competition (January - December).

Development squad athletes must be aged 12 - 16, on 1st September 2023.

All applicants must be current members of Triathlon England with either  East or West Midlands declared as their region on the membership database. Applicants must reside in the East/West Midlands or belong to an East/West Midlands affiliated club.

A number of factors will be used to select athletes, including; performance at the trials, 2022-23 race performances, conduct, commitment and potential to add value to the Academy training environment.

Other than in exceptional circumstances, existing members of the Midlands  Academy are expected to attend the trials, and will be assessed against the same criteria, as well as their involvement in the Academy process during the 2023-24 season.

Applications will be reviewed, and selected athletes will be invited to the trials and notified by Monday 9th October 2023. If an applicant is unsuccessful at any stage of the process, they will receive some brief feedback and guidance from the Academy team regarding their next steps.

To apply please complete the application form below by Sunday 16th September 2023.  

 

Apply here

Regional Academy Selection 2022-23

Selection Day

The Selection Days will take place on;

 Sunday 1st October 2023 - Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, Solihull B91 1NB.

AND

Saturday 7th October 2023 – Leicester Cycle Circuit, North Car Park, St Oswalds Road, Leicester LE3 6RJ.

On the selection days, athletes will complete swimming and running time trials, which will be based on age on the day of the trials.

The schedule for both days are as follows:

sunday 1st  October

ACTIVITY

LOCATION

10:30 -10:45

Welcome and schedule for the day

Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, Solihull B91 1NB.

10:45 -11:30

Midlands Academy Presentations

12:00 -14:00

Run Trials – 400m Track

15:00-17:00

Swim Trials – 25m Pool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGE ON DAY

SWIM

RUN

12 - 15 years

200m

1500m

16 - 18 years

400m

3000M

 

 

 

 

 

 

All athletes will compete in time trial (individual) format. A dive start is optional in the swim and athletes may wear spikes on the run if they wish to do so. However, carbon trainers are not allowed.

 

At the Academy Leads discretion, personal best performances achieved during the 2022-23 season can be considered if performances at the selection trials are below par.  Only performances that can be verified by the 'Power of 10' or 'British Swimming' websites will be considered for this purpose.

Please be mindful that athletes will also be assessed on how they conduct themselves on the day……

 

Sunday 7th  October

ACTIVITY

LOCATION

9:30 – 9:40

Welcome and schedule for the day

Leicester Cycle Circuit, North Car Park, St Oswalds Road, Leicester LE3 6RJ.

 

 

9:45 -12:30

Bike Assessments - Skills, Time Trial, Group Riding, Transitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standards

Athletes score points based on their swim and run times in the time trials. As a guide you can calculate your points score using your short course swim (25m pool) and track run times here.

The standard of athletes selected onto Regional Academies nationally continues to rise, and the Midlands consistently develops some of the highest calibre of athletes in the country. As an indication of standard, the current Midlands Academy squad would all score a minimum of 320+ and Development squad 300+ points under the current system.

Athletes who do not meet the above standards, but are interested in pursuing triathlon further are encouraged to join their local club.

Selections are based off performances at the trials and performances in the 2022-23 season.  Following this day, the final selections will be made.

 

For 2023-24 there will be 2 levels to the Midlands Academy.

1. Full Academy member.

2. Development Squad member.

 

Full Academy members are reserved for the highest performing athletes, with full access to:

  • All training day opportunities and camps
  • Training advice and assistance
  • Race support

For the Development Squad, it is anticipated that this group will provide opportunities to those athletes who are aged 12-15 years and are either:

  • Too young for the full Academy
  • Are just below the required performance level and/or
  • Are new to the sport and require further development in order to progress to the above level

Development Squad will consist of 8 -10 training days and other opportunities throughout the year and will mainly focus on skills required for racing at an elite level.

Selection for BOTH the Academy and Development Squads will be made using the same process, so if you wish to be considered for the Development squad, you MUST complete the same application.

Places on both squads will be reviewed in March 2024, and will be conditional on commitment to the triathlon programme, progress, performance and value added to the Academy training environment.

Athletes are required to notify their acceptance of a place on either the Academy or the Development Squad to the Midlands Academy Lead within 48 hours of the offer being received.

Athletes who accept their offer are required to sign and uphold an athlete agreement; failure to adhere to conditions of the athlete agreement may result in being asked to leave the Academy.

 

East Midlands Regional Academy Coaching and Support Team

We have an excellent dedicated team of coaches at the Midlands Academy, including a range of specialist knowledge, so we are well equipped to support and develop every area of your triathlon performance.

Our coaching and support team includes:

  • Dean Hughes – Midlands Academy Lead
  • Andy Teagle  – Midland Academy Assistant and West Midlands Development Squad Lead/West Mids IRC Team Manager
  • Stephen Green – East Midlands Development Squad Lead
  • Jack Bond – Midlands Academy Coach
  • Nathan Tweedie – East Mids IRC Team Manager

If you know of anyone who would add value to the team above them please email; Dean Hughes midlandsacademy@britishtriathlon.org

Structure

 

The Midlands Academy programme consists of a series of training days , weekends and camps throughout the year. We have access to a range of superb facilities, including closed-road cycling at Leicester Cycle Circuit, Mallory Park, Open Water Swimming at Cliff Lakes & Six Hills. The camps will be run during the October and February half terms.

The Academy has forged close links with the Loughborough Triathlon Performance Centre (LTPC), and as such, come together periodically for sessions which is a fantastic opportunity for the young athletes to learn from and test themselves against some of the best senior athletes in the country. Academy athletes of an appropriate standard are also able to access sessions within the Centre to experience training at the next level.

Further Information

For more information on Academy’s please read the Regional Academy Guide 

For more information on talent identification and a points calculator please click here.

 

For any further information or guidance concerning the Regional Academy or the application process, please contact the Regional Head Coach.

Dean Hughes - Midlands Academy Lead 

Tel: 07719 386447

Email: midlandsacademy@britishtriathlon.org 

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