Irish Coach Completes UCI Level 2 Cyclocross Coaching Course
Donegal Bay Cycling Club’s Ted McCaffrey was one of six coaches from around the world who completed the UCI Level 2 Cyclocross Coaching Course earlier this month.
The course took place at the UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) in Aigle, Switzerland.
McCaffrey was joined by participants from Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Sweden and Japan. The group included National Federation coaches and former elite cyclo-cross riders, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.
The specialised coaching course took place alongside an athlete camp, where 25 athletes from 16 nations were being put through their paces.
The athlete’s training camp was run under the guidance of Ed Collins (IRL) and former international athletes Eva Lechner (ITA) and Sven Vanthourenhout (BEL).
The coaching course included theory sessions on training principles, skills, techniques, how to coach younger riders and much more. This was combined with practical training learning how to coach various cyclo-cross training sessions. The course concluded with a theory exam and a practical coaching exam.
The coaching course linked closely with the athlete camp, giving the coaches a unique experience to watch up and coming elite athletes and world-renowned coaches.
Speaking about his experience on the course, McCaffrey said:
“It was an excellent course. Our course tutor was Mark Adams, who previously worked with British Cycling and continues to coach Team GB at World Cup Cyclo-cross events. He brought a wealth of knowledge and experience. It was the first time the UCI held a Level 2 Coaching Course which specialised in Cyclo-cross.”
“I am delighted to say that I am now a qualified UCI Level 2 Cycling Coach, specialising in Cyclo-cross.”
As part of the continued commitment and investment in coaching, Cycling Ireland part-funded McCaffrey’s place on the course.
“Thanks so much to Cycling Ireland for contributing to the cost of the camp, which made it possible for me to attend. I truly am grateful for the opportunity. I intend to make full use of this qualification.
“This will help me to build on the coaching I do with our youth athletes in Donegal Bay Cycling Club.”