Our Junior Development Process

The Junior Development Process (JDP) is an evolving development pathway for Mountainbike Tauranga junior riders.

The aim is to support riders with relevant platforms to boost their love and development within Mountain Biking. The process encourages and guides riders through their school years. There are even options for assistance moving on from school into the world.

Since 2016 when the first piece of the puzzle was put in place, the JDP has grown to accommodate the needs of our young riders. It is designed so riders and their families can be as involved in the process as much they desire. The JDP focuses on four key areas. Each area is focused on at different ages and stages of a child’s development.

The four key areas include Skill Learning, Social Development, Physical Development and Mental Development. These four areas are developed across a range of platforms. These platforms include the Junior Academy, Youth Academy, Academy Camps, ImPASS, Tauranga Development Squad and Fulltime Training Program. Every single one of these platforms have lessons that can be applied to enhance life outside of Mountain Biking.

Junior Academy

The Junior Academy is our Primary School program during term 1 & 4.

The Junior Academy is built to encourage new riders into the sport of Mountain biking. Starting as young as year 3, the Junior Academy provides a fun environment for social interaction, physical development and skill learning with a safe and supportive culture.

Junior riders are supervised by a knowledgeable, experienced & responsible team of older riders who are their coaches for the term, during sessions as they explore the park, build their skills, create friendships and more!

The sessions are structured so riders have freedom to be themselves and explore their limits while still playing, learning and having fun with our support. Sessions include adventure riding, riding challenges, skills sessions, bike games, teamwork activities, informal races and the most common request… Jumps!

Session Specific info

Where: Summerhill MTB Park and now Oropi MTB Park

Who – Club Riders Year 3 to 6.

Time of year – Term 1 and 4 (your registration is for one term only).

Time of week – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday*

Time of Day – 4:45pm to 5:45pm.

Grading? There is no grading for the Junior Academy.

The first session of Term 1 will be on the 1^st of February.

*For Term 1 2021 we are going to have sessions at Oropi MTB park Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in addition to the classic Summerhill sessions on a Monday. All Junior Academy sessions start at 4.45pm and finish around 5.45pm. (We need at least 8 riders to register per session for the Oropi groups to go ahead, if we do not meet this requirement we will need to shuffle your day or could offer a refund.)

Registering

All Junior Academy riders must be a Member of Mountainbike Tauranga to register.

Registrations for the Junior Academy can be found on this page. Check back here from the 17th of December

Cost (10 weeks):

Early bird (December 17^th to December 25^th) – $80

Standard (December 26^th to 15^th January) – $90

Late (16^th January onwards) – $100

Open evenings

We will be having an open evening to try out the Junior Academy on Monday 25^th January at Summerhill between 4:45pm and 5:45pm.

For more information Contact: [email protected]

Registrations for Term 1 2021 are now Shut

Sorry. This form is no longer available.

In 2021 we are hosting our first ever holiday program on the 18th to 20th January 2021. The holiday program is an opportunity for rider’s year 5 to 7 in 2021 to attend a fun filled action packed three days of riding, skill learning and games! We will have a mixture games and activities throughout the day. These include trail riding, jumps, skills courses, on bike games, off bike games and challenges.

The holiday program will be hosted at Oropi MTB Trails from 8.30am to 5.00pm. We require a minimum of 8 riders and have capacity for up to 20 riders for the January 2021 program.

The Holiday program will be delivered by Tristan Haycock along with a mixture of Youth and Junior Academy coaches the that kids have come to know and love throughout the Term 1 and 4 Junior and Youth Academy programs. Our aim is to promote stoke amongst the kids, have an epic three days riding, playing, exploring learning!

Riders camp Code of Conduct – MUST READ

Parents/Guardians Camp Indemnity – MUST READ

Registrations can be found here on the 17^th December.

Youth Academy Intermediate & High School

The Youth Academy plays a central role in the Junior Development Process. There is a huge demand for quality skills coaching and the Youth Academy targets exactly that. With over 100 different riders last summer we have yet again rebuilt the structure to meet the demand. The Youth Academy is a massive opportunity for Skill Learning for rider’s year 7 to 13.

All returning riders will be issued a colour at the end of the previous term. This is your grading for Term 1 2021.

For new riders you must attend one of the 5 free open/grading evenings to gain a grading colour so we can put you in the group that is best for you! Once you’ve been issued your colour you can select a time slot that suits your families schedule.

For returning riders you will be issued a grading colour at the end of Term 4 2020. This will be your provisional grading for Term 1 2021.

Riders are placed into groups no larger than nine, these groups consist of other kids with similar ability to your child. All session plans are designed by Tristan Haycock MTB, each group is assigned a coach for the term so the riders can develop a trusting relationship with their coach.

Throughout the progression of different groups, riders learn a range of different skills encouraging safe, efficient, and even competitive riding skills. It is up to the individual what they choose to do with these skills. To deal with large numbers of new riders over the last few seasons we have setup free open days to try out the Youth Academy, and this gives the coaches an opportunity to grade riders to find the group of best fit.

Session Specific info

Where: Oropi MTB Park.

Who: Club riders Year 7 to 13.

Time of year: Term 1 and 4.

Time of week: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday evenings.

Time of day: Sessions are from 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm and last one hour each.

Registering

All Youth Academy riders must be a Member of Mountainbike Tauranga to register.

Registrations can be found on this page. Check back from the 17^th of December for registrations

Early bird (17^th to 25^th December) – $120

Standard (26^th December to 15^th January) – $135

Late (16^th January onwards) – $150

New riders to the Academy are required to attend an open evening to gain grading for correct group placement.

Open Evenings/Grading

We have a few options of open evenings & Grading for Term 1 2021.

4:30 to 5:30pm Oropi MTB Park Friday 11^th December.

4:30 to 5:30pm Oropi MTB Park Sunday 24^th January.

4:30 to 5:30pm Oropi MTB Park Friday 5^th February.

4:30 to 5:30pm Oropi MTB Park Friday 12^th February.

Contact: [email protected]

Registrations for Term 1 2021 are now Shut

Sorry. This form is no longer available.

Camp Objectives

In 2021 we are hosting overnight camps at Summerhill! The camps are designed to develop well rounded riders. There is so much more to mountain biking than just riding bikes! The camps dive into a deeper level of learning which riders can apply throughout the sport and other areas of their lives! Throughout a rider’s time in the Junior Development Process at Mountainbike Tauranga riders will learn a wide range of skills and make great memories through awesome experiences. We have designed camps for riders to attend up to one per year. As a rider progresses there is a camp there to support learning!

Cost

The cost for each of the three-day camps is $350. This covers education expenses, equipment usage, some meals/food (you will be advised after registration), accommodation and planning. We are confident the price is fair for the experiences and learning your child will receive from camp! The knowledge gained from the mechanical sessions alone will save significant money long term as riders are able to identify issues and better maintain their bike(s).

Sprocket Camp

We have four progression camps for riders aged year 7 onwards! Starting with our first progression ‘Sprocket Camp’ which aims to give riders Teambuilding and teamwork task, age appropriate leadership challenges, bike skills including pumping, skills courses, flow riding, as well as exciting rider lead skill development activities, basic health and wellbeing, basic bicycle maintenance and education of different cycling codes.

School of Dirt

The second camp in the progression is ‘School of Dirt’, it is designed to be progression two. The School of Dirt is targeted at but not limited to rider’s year 8, 9 and 10. It has a big focus around introducing riders to racing, the race calendar and what it means to be a competitive mountain biker. We investigate the Race Calendar at different events and discuss pathways within the club and within the sport. There is plenty of practical lessons on the camp with the mechanical session, teambuilding tasks, leadership tasks, in addition to learning mental techniques to overcome fears or execute best performance, strength and recovery sessions, along with bike skills of course. For confident riders who are looking to take the next step in MTB this camp will be a great fit.

School of Carbon

The ‘School of Carbon’ Camp is the third progression. This camp encourages riders to be independent and take ownership of their learning. There will be multiple sessions that are rider led allowing for a unique style of peer-led learning. There will be some hugely valuable theory lessons around sponsorship, communication, nutrition, and recovery and plenty of engaging practical sessions over a wide range of areas both on and off the bike. School of Carbon is a great opportunity for competitive riders to upskill their knowledge and apply this on the regional stage in their chosen discipline.

Gold Prospectors

The Gold Prospectors camp is the final progression in the Academy Camp format. With a range of learning topics, most of the education occurs off the bike but is all relevant to performing on it. From real world crash scenarios to the application of knowledge learnt in previous camps and covering plenty of new information, the Gold Prospectors camp will equip our riders with knowledge that only a fraction of mountain bikers in New Zealand have. Therefore, giving them confidence going forward in high school and through the next stages of life with a head start to important riding knowledge that they’ll need. The content in this camp will allow riders to take on the national stage of racing competitively and confidently with a vast network of support and knowledge backing them. Content covered includes helping athletes understand their purpose in riding, leadership, communication, accident response simulation, injury prevention, recovery nutrition, professionalism mindfulness, high stress race simulation, advanced mechanic, strength training and physical recovery.

Summary

Riders are taught by a mixture of presentations, theory work, team discussions and practical activities specific to each groups’ stage of development. We have developed many techniques over the years to engage riders and we utilise this knowledge when teaching content to riders.

General information

Location – Summerhill MTB Park

Duration – Three Day Camp

Cost – $350 per Camp

Grading – Yes, camp gradings are emailed at the end of the previous year. Contact [email protected] if you are unsure.

Numbers – We require a minimum of 10 registrations two weeks prior for the camp to proceed. Camps are capped at 15 riders.

Camp Staff – We have Tristan Haycock delivering camps with assistance of experienced Youth Academy coaches. We also request for one or two parents to join for the camp!

Sleeping – Riders will need to bring their own tents and equipment.

Riders camp Code of Conduct – MUST READ

Parents/Guardians Camp Indemnity – MUST READ

Registrations can be found here from the 17th December.

ImPASS Program

The ImPASS Program is strictly for riders attending high school. For a rider whose only physical activity is riding bikes it can be limiting the diversity of their Physical Development. Balance and diversity are required for healthy Physical Development and the ImPASS program aims to help this area. Improving Power, Agility, Strength & Speed (ImPASS) both on and off the bike is a fun way to achieve this goal in a group environment. While the Youth Academy allows for social interaction over summer, ImPASS does so over the other seasons.

The ImPASS program gives riders’ the ability to further develop over winter with a a focus that isn’t skill based. Riders can join the mailing list to hear about all the training opportunities ImPASS can offer. Riders can then purchase an ‘ImPASS pass’ which allows them to attend sessions. Sessions do not have a set timetable and change each week. Some sessions are on bike, some are on foot. Riders are emailed each week and choose which sessions they want to attend.

Where: Tauranga area.

Who: Academy club riders Year 9 to 13.

Time of year: Term 2 and 3.

Time of week: Varies.

Time of Day: Varies.

Cost: $60 for ten sessions.

Grading? No.

Tauranga Development Squad

As riders move towards the end of high school some decide to race in the many disciplines Mountain Biking has to offer. This can be hugely challenging financially and logistically. The Tauranga Development Squad aims to reduce financial and logistical stress in the short term supporting those riders wishing to pursue Cross Country and Enduro racing. Additionally, the team encourage Social Development of the competitive riders. This helps riders to build networks for their future which can lead to international opportunities after they leave school and enter the elite racing world. This is a unique opportunity to Mountainbike Tauranga riders which no other club offers in New Zealand. Tauranga Development riders are always representing the club as an ambassador to their peers and younger riders.

Who: A rider must be a club members between year 10 and year 12 to apply.

Time of year: All year.

Selection Required: Yes.

Cost: $0

Apply to: [email protected]

For more information check out the Tauranga Development Website

Individual Support

There are multiple options for individual support. All of which are able to customised to the demands of each individual.

Packages

Holistic Rider Support

The Holistic Rider Support package allows for the coach to work closely with the rider to support their journey. This gives the athlete access to the coaches’ support on specifics such as goal setting, attaining sponsorship, race targeting, bike/life balance, identifying strengths and weaknesses, sustainable participation in cycling, growing a leadership mindset, awareness of self and rider specific demands.

Cost: $100 per month ($50 startup fee)

Structured Training Program

A focused approach to training with specific goals, dynamic coaching support and guidance. The athlete will get out as much as they put into their training and the coach/athlete relationship. The coach encourages the athlete to revise their current thought processes and help rebuild their approach to the sport.

Cost: $100 per month ($50 startup fee)

Gold Package

The most popular package is the Gold Package. This package is a combination of the a the Holistic Rider Support and Structured Training Packages. And allows for maximum support of each riders journey. There is also a number of perks which allow for discounts on other programs such as camps and ImPASS sessions.

Cost: $140 per month ($50 startup fee)

One off Sessions

Skills session

Under 18 1:1 sessions are delivered using a method which makes the rider think, engage and lead the learning. This method allows for a deeper understanding of the processes required to perform a skill. Whether the rider is wanting to learn the basics like gear shifting, bike setup, braking through to kids who are looking for a skills advantage for riding with their family and friends or even competitive kids who are looking for the skill advantage on their competition.

Cost: $60 per hour