Inspiring future generations
Ilkeston Youth Academy is fun and inclusive, offering structured coaching ages cater for all abilities.
Our mission is to build on a successful youth academy centered around fun, learning & improving. This, together with encouraging more kids to enter and remain in our sport from different backgrounds & abilities. Within the
next decade we will see one or more of our young cyclists reach the highest levels in competitive cycling.
The youth academy is open to all riders from 5 years through to 18 years and no prior experience is required.
If you’ve got a young person that’s interested in bikes, we’re here to help!
Youth Academy Dates
Thank you to everyone who attended our Youth Academy Open Evening.
Our first Group of our Creche & Development Sessions will be starting later this month:
Week 1 – 23rd March (Braking & Cornering)
Week 2 – 6th April (Group Riding & Position on a Bike)
Week 3 – 20th April (Gears & Pedalling Technique)
Week 4 – 4th May (Group Riding & Race Drills Practice)
Week 5 – 18th May (Cafe Ride around Shipley Park)
Monday Group Rides Coming
Our Monday night Roller and Strength & Conditioning Sessions have been awesome this winter. Thank you to everyone who came along and got involved. Definitely one for us next winter.
However the nights are getting longer so from the 1st April we’ll back outside hitting the trails around Shipley Park
Academy Race Team Group Ride
Sunday 10th March
Starting from the market place in Ilkeston we are holding the first of our regular group rides. These are aimed at 12yrs and over (competent younger riders welcome) and will be 2-3 hrs riding around quiet roads in Derbyshire. Keep an eye out on TeamApp
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely!
We have trained coaches present at all Youth Academy sessions but we always welcome some extra support from parents.
Encouragement drives results!
Our sessions are advertised via TeamApp and our Facebook page. Busy racing schedules mean they are planned to miss races so keep an eye out on the Socials for the next session. We use a number of venues including Kirk Hallam College, Rutland Sports Park and Shipley Park.
There are also weekly group rides every Monday evening during the summer months, meeting at the Pewit Club house car park on West End Drive, Ilkeston for prompt 18:30 start. Ride duration is around 60-90 mins and various paces depending on ability.
In the winter months we head to Derby Arena for Roller and Strength & Conditioning sessions.
Membership is just £10 per child for the calendar year (Jan-Dec)
Youth training sessions are £3 each and payable on the night
The Youth Academy family ride is available at no additional cost to all and is included in their membership.
A serviced bike in good working order.
Gravel, mountain or CX bikes are ideal for the sessions, but in dryer weather a road bike is also okay but we’d recommend grippier tyres.
Lights/reflectors highly recommended for evening rides where rides may extend into dusk.
A well fitting helmet and repair kit ideally containing a spare inner tube & tyre levers to fit the tyres on the bike and a drink / snack.
We’d recommend cycling specific clothing however this is absolutely not required (albeit, they will look the part in ‘ilson kit!)