Cycling Australia

Introduction

The BMX High Performance Program (HPP) is an Australian Sports Commission funded athlete preparation program designed to identify elite male and female Australian athletes in the 20 inch BMX Championship classes and prepare them for success at the international level. The main aim of the program is to provide the best possible training environment, support services and competition opportunities to deliver medal winning performances at the Olympic Games in 2012. Every other year, the program and its athletes will be prepared for success at the UCI World BMX Championships, in 20" events.

Ideally, the BMX HPP will include and develop the talent from which to draw all future National BMX Team members for World Championships in the 20" class.

The partnership between BMX Australia and Cycling Australia provides the opportunity for elite level BMX to be managed by the high performance programs centre within Cycling Australia.

For HPP squad selection, the National BMX Selection Committee (BMXA) will make all selection recommendations to the HPMC for the BMX athletes to participate in the BMX HPP. This selection process will be based on the BMX HPP selection criteria. Additionally, a selection document for the National BMX Team will be made available to athletes at least 8 months in advance of the World BMX Championships each year.

All staff and athletes within the BMX HPP program are required to comply fully with Cycling Australia policies, including the Anti-Doping and Code of Conduct policies. Cycling Australia is fully compliant with Australian Anti-Sports Drug Authority policy and equivalent Anti-Doping policy at the international level (WADA/ UCI). All BMX HPP members will be required to carry a Cycling Australia international license. All members will be required to read, sign, return and comply with the Cycling Australia National Team Agreement for each calendar year. 

Where possible, the State Institute of Sport/ Academy (NTC) in each state will liaise with the Head Coach of the BMX HPP and the CA HPM to establish extent of services and support offered to BMX elite athletes at the NTC level. Joint agreements are being initiated with each NTC on a state by state basis.

Note: The National BMX Selection Committee contains the National BMX Coach, the High Performance Management Committee BMXA representative and one other nominated BMXA endorsed member. 

Measuring Success of the BMX HPP

The key performance indicators from which the success of the BMX HPP will be measured will be the results and performances achieved by athletes at identified international competitions each year.

The NPD, HPM and head BMX coach in consultation with the ASC will identify the detail of the targeted results each year.

Events

The major international events for which performances will be considered in 2012/13 are:

The benchmark competition each year will be the UCI World BMX Championships except in an Olympic year, where the Olympic Games become the primary benchmark event.

Goals

1. To provide the best possible athlete development opportunities within a program structure to targeted elite BMX athletes. The primary aim to develop athletes with medal winning potential at a World Championships and Olympic Games level.
2. Within the program budget, target a UCI sanctioned competition program with the aim to qualify Australia the maximum numbers in mens and womens divisions at the 2012 Olympic Games.
3. To pursue and implement world's best practice in coaching, training techniques, sport science and athlete support services.

Functions

1. To identify athletes through a clear selection process to qualify for the BMX HPP squad.
2. To provide coaching and training opportunities to identified athletes on an individualised and group level. The head coach to determine the level of support and assistance for all members in consultation with supervising coaches and sports science personnel.
3. To conduct training and pre-competition camps at both a domestic and international level which the goal of maximising athletic and personal development.
4. To identify and utilise the highest quality sports science services, sports medicine support, and technology for the development of athletes.

BMX HPP Squad - Athlete Benefits

A schedule of benefits will be available to athletes that are selected into the BMX HPP and these will be specific to each athlete. This schedule will be determined by the national BMX coach and approved jointly by the CA National Performance Director (NPD) and the CA High Performance Manager (HPM).

The schedule of benefits available for athletes can include some/ all of the following:

• Access to suitable training facilities and competitions provided by Cycling Australia (CA), State Institutes/ Academy National Training Centres (NTC) and any other approved agencies;
• High performance coaching and administration support under the direction of the head BMX coach;
• Fitness and strength testing/ evaluation and training programs under the direction and supervision of qualified personnel at the discretion of head BMX coach;
• Sports Medicine and Sports Science services provided by specialists at the discretion of the head coach under the direction of the CA BMX Sports Science/ Sports Med (SS/SM) coordinator;
• Personal training and competition equipment deemed necessary by the head coach and endorsed by the CA NPD;
• Full or part assistance with travel, accommodation and living allowances for events in which you are directed to compete by the head coach;
• CA and the NTC may individually or together arrange travel to national competition, camps or any other suitable reason;
• Part or full board and lodging where applicable at a location specified by CA for all specific dates or alternatively a living allowance to be determined by the national discipline coach with the endorsement of the CA HPM;
• Assistance through the NTC ACE program with career and personal development, education and employment;
• Specific allowances approved by the CA HPM to assist with the achievement of the goals and objectives of the BMX HPP;
• Any other reasonable request as approved by the respective discipline coach and endorsed by the CA NPD and CA HPM.

Funding and extent of assistance provided to each member of the squad will be determined by the National BMX Coach, in consultation with the HPM. Athletes will be expected to maintain/ achieve a required level of performance and / or progress to retain squad status and subsequent funding.

National Team Information

The National BMX Team for 20" Elite and Junior divisions will be selected by a panel of National BMX Selectors using the National Team Selection Criteria, which is posted annually on the Cycling Australia Web site (www.cycling.org.au). The selection process for BMX is detailed in the BMX selection criteria. Go to Selection Policies

• Note that JUNIOR refers to athletes in the UCI Junior category only. That is, only junior athletes turning 17 and 18 yrs of age in the year of the World Championships competition.

Enquiries and Further Information 

Danielle Gillis
BMX High Performance Administrator  
08 8360 5888
danielle.gillis@cycling.org.au