Ribble riders’ Academy

A performance academy for aspiring young riders is to be created by Bondholder Derby College Group (DCG) in partnership with the HUUB Ribble Performance Academy sponsored by fellow Bondholder HUUB.

The HUUB Ribble Performance Academy, based at DCG’s Broomfield Hall near Derby, launched a pilot programme last September with five riders studying Sport at Derby College.

DCG retained its Ofsted ‘Good’ grading recently and Broomfield Hall has both sports facilities and residential accommodation which has been graded as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

Recruitment is underway for more Ribble youth squad members and other 16-year-old riders at clubs across the UK to join the Academy in September 2020.

The goal is for performance academy members to secure a place in the HUUB Ribble performance squad with opportunities to compete in national competitions at weekends.

Members of the performance academy combine further education qualifications with expert coaching, training and mentoring. Each rider has 1-2-1 coaching from elite track and road racer, Jacob Tipper, and an individualised daily training programme which are both road and track based.

DCG Sports and Public Services Team Manager, Nick Ramsden, explained: “Derby is fast becoming renowned as a centre of excellence for cycling – not least with the velodrome facilities at the Arena and the international success of the HUUB/Wattbike track cycling team.

“Our aim is to develop well-rounded athletes with coaching and education that is much needed to prepare the riders not only to compete at national junior level, but also to allow them to explore the possibility of a future career in the sport.”

Keith Atkinson, Academy Manager, added: “The number of riders taking up cycling as a sport in the UK is growing exponentially and opportunities for the junior (16 to 18) category and then progression into senior squads is exciting.

“The HUUB Ribble Performance Academy will support some of these talented juniors and allow them to continue to grow and evolve as bike racers in a fully supportive environment, and potentially pursue careers as professional cyclists.”

For more information about the HUUB Ribble Performance Academy, please click here to visit DCG's website.