February 21, 2014 (Aigle, Switzerland) – The World Cycling Centre has restructured its Coach Development Programme (CDP), dividing the former eight-week course into two shorter modules: four weeks to obtain the Level 1 and Level 2 coaching certificates and a separate four-week course for the more advanced UCI Coaching Diploma.

“The shorter courses will be more accessible,” explains WCC Education and Training Coordinator Belinda Tarling. “After the success of our four-week Level 1 and 2 course for women last year, we have decided to apply the same formula for all our courses in 2014. It will give participants a better learning experience and provide an improved development pathway.”

Four of the women who completed the first exclusively women’s coaching course last year are planning to return to the WCC in May for the Diploma Course. Meanwhile, a graduate of the 2013 Diploma course will arrive at the centre in March as part of the WCC’s three-month internship programme.

Belinda Tarling: “raising the standard of coaching worldwide”

“These are fantastic examples of how coaches can progress through the different levels and benefit from the expertise provided at the World Cycling Centre,” adds Belinda Tarling. “With more and more coaches obtaining our qualifications we are raising the standard of coaching, and consequently cycling, worldwide.”

The 2014 CDP gets under way with a Diploma Course for road and mountain bike from May 6th to June 1st.  Some places are still available for this course, which is open to holders of the Level 1 and 2 certificates or an equivalent qualification. A second Diploma Course, for the track and BMX disciplines, will be held in September.

Another exclusively women’s course (Level 1 and 2) will be held in August, followed by a Level 1 and 2 course open to men and women in November. All courses will be delivered in English, with a Spanish option also available for those aiming for the track and BMX Diploma in September.

Theory and practical experience

Participants benefit from a mixture of theory sessions in the classroom and practical experience alongside the professional coaching staff at the World Cycling Centre.

In addition three-month coaching internships are organised for road, BMX and track. The first internships for each of these disciplines have been filled, and applications are open for second internships for each discipline later in the year. More information about internships is available on the UCI website.

Further information about the 2014 Coach Development Programme is also available on the UCI website. Applications should be sent to coaching@uci.ch