YOUTH ACADEMY 2023

New youth members wanted. Please contact Austin or Mike at the addresses below.

PURPOSE

Lucan Cycling Road Club’s Youth Academy has been created to support the development of riders from under 12 to under 18 years old who have an interest in cycle racing. The club will predominantly support Road Racing, although it will also assist any rider who has an interest in the Track or Cyclocross racing.

THE COACHING TEAM

Austin O’Hagan

Austin took up cycling at the age of 14 and competed in road, track and criterium races in the under 15, 16, junior and senior categories. He has amassed a wealth of racing experience over many years of racing. Austin is a member of Lucan Cycling Road Club for the past 10 years and is the club’s Safeguarding Officer. He currently competes in the Vets (Irish Veteran Cycling Association) league and is passionate about racing and cycling. Austin has completed the Safeguarding 1 course and will be taking Safeguarding 2 and 3. He is also taking a coaching course, run by Cycling Ireland, in October 2022. Austin has been Garda Vetted.

Michael (Mike) Haynes

Mike has been a cyclist since the age of 12, developing his skills and experience through the traditional cycling club model in England. Michael started racing from the age of about 14, riding in circuit races and dabbling in cyclocross.  He competed at both schoolboy (U16) and Junior (16-18) levels before progressing to Senior Road Racing at the age of 18.  Mike currently competes in the Vets (Irish Veteran Cyclists Association) Road Race League, and has a number of wins to his credit.

Mike has Garda vetting clearance and will commence training to gain his Coaching Qualifications in October 2022.

THE ACADEMY

The Youth Academy is supported by Lucan Cycling Road Club and will provide training, coaching and guidance to U18’s.  This training is primarily aimed at preparing youths for competitive road cycling, although track and cyclocross will be supported if there is a demand. The Academy is for age categories U12, U14, U16, and U18 (junior).

The Coaching Team, with the assistance of LCRC club members, will support Academy riders to improve their bike handling skills and racing technique, whilst providing the necessary training advice which will lead to them competing in races within the Leinster Region and nationally where possible.  

All Club coaches will have Garda Vetting clearance, will either be trained as a Cycling Ireland Coach or in the process of gaining their coaching qualifications, and will have undertaken the relevant safeguarding training.

In conjunction with Stagg Cycles of Lucan, we will advise on bike set-up, gearing, and the basic mechanics of a bike.

We will partner with other Cycling Clubs in Ireland, and in particular, clubs who have their own Academy, and will provide support to Academy Riders when competing in races.

BENEFITS

• Free membership of Lucan Cycling Road Club and the LCRC Youth Academy
• Free club kit and pre/post-race casual wear (T&Cs apply)
• Free coaching from qualified coaches
• Free membership of Cycling Ireland
• Free or discounted entry to races where possible
• Training advice from current and former club members
• Nutritional advice from qualified Nutritionists
• Loan of club equipment (eg: training rollers)