Inspiring future generations

Ilkeston Youth Academy is fun and inclusive, offering structured coaching ages cater for all abilities

Our Mission

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!

Monday Group Rides

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 be back outside hitting the trails around Shipley Park

Academy Race Team Group Ride

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!


Upcoming Events

Frequently asked questions

Can parents get involved?

Absolutely!

We have trained coaches present at all Youth Academy sessions but we always welcome some extra support from parents.

Encouragement drives results!

Where and when do you meet?

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.

How much does it cost?

Membership is just £10 per child for the calendar year (Jan-Dec)

Youth training sessions are £3 each and payable via the website
The Youth Academy family ride is available at no additional cost to all and is included in their membership.

What equipment do I need?

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!)

Youth Academy News

When we were approached by our friends at Derby Arena and asked whether we’d like to lead out the peloton of the Tour of Britain Stage 4, you can imagine how we reacted… It looked a bit like this 👉 Well, writing this after the day […]
Yesterday marked our annual Cyclocross event at Shipley Park and what a huge success it was. Over 270 riders of all abilities turned up and gave it their best and getting a little bit muddy in the process! For those who missed them, here are the […]
I hope you have all enjoyed the World Championships as much as I have over the last week. Some of the racing has been epic and truly inspiring. We have a real chance for one of our own riders reaching the highest level in the sport. […]