A PARENTS GUIDE to
Cycling
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A PARENTS GUIDE TO CYCLING
Riding a bike is part on many kids lives.
Your child may choose to learn to ride for the first time, expand to ride to school or start racing. They have the opportunity to participate in an event with other likeminded children, in a safe and social environment. The rush of being able to ride their bikes fast, competing against them and others are something many children enjoy.
Participating in cycling can lead to many positive outcomes in a child’s life; confidence, a sense of fair play, organisational skills, time management skills, a sense of community, communications, team work, health and fitness. If you are not entirely sure on every part of the sport we have developed this guide to help provide information on your child’s participation in cycling.
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YOUR ROLES AND RESPECTABILITIES
A PARENTS GUIDE TO CYCLING
You should consider three key roles when it comes to your child participating in cycling: • Encourage • Enjoy • Support
Encourage your child to participate
Enjoy your child’s participation
Children should be encouraged to participate in cycling.
If your child chooses to participate in cycling, it will become an important aspect of their lives. Actively make the choice to simply enjoy their participation as much as you can!
For children to continue cycling, they need to find it enjoyable. The best thing parents can do to help is to be open-minded and encouraging. It is important to remember it is not about the child standing on the podium at the end of the race.
Parents who acquire an understanding of cycling (basic rules, skills, and strategies) are better able to understand their children’s performance. Realize and trust that in cycling physical, technical, tactical, psychological and social development are all being worked on.
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During this process, your children’s focus should be on acquiring new skills, improving performance and, of course having fun. Cycling Victoria has a range of resources that will assist you to develop a greater knowledge of cycling. Their participation is also an opportunity for you to develop your own social networks, as well as get involved in the sport within a club, officiating, or participating.
Support your child Sport has many demands, therefore children need to fell supported by their parents, regardless of what may eventuate. Support around emotional and physical wellbeing is paramount. Young cyclists need to manage stress associated with training and competition through appropriate support regardless of the outcome.
A PARENTS GUIDE TO CYCLING
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JUNIOR SPORT POLICY
A PARENTS GUIDE TO CYCLING
The Cycling Australia Junior Sports Policy provides guidelines and regulations for bike riding and racing. The primary focus of this policy is junior cycling programs covering participants aged between 5-12 years but information on development and appropriate activities for young people up to 17+ years is also included for reference.
We recognise the importance of providing the opportunity for all young people to engage in cycling. To this end the Junior Cycling policy provides information to help you support your child.
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CA Junior Cycling Policy
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RESPECTING EACH OTHER
A PARENTS GUIDE TO CYCLING
It is critical that all participants in cycling feel welcoming and included. Whether it is in training, riding in a bunch or racing respecting each other is essential. There is also no time when a rider should be treated differently because of their ability - all participants should be included equally. Parents should always make sure that your child respect other riders.
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MEMBER AND CHILD PROTECTION
A PARENTS GUIDE TO CYCLING
Cycling Victoria is committed to treating all people with respect, dignity and fairness. These values, along with the basic right of all members to participate in an environment that is enjoyable, safe and healthy, has resulted in Cycling Victoria developing specific objectives to create a safer and more tolerant sporting environment.
Cycling Victoria is both ethically and legally responsible to prevent discrimination and more specifically harassment from occurring in Cycling. The adoption of the Cycling Australia Member Protection Policy reflects Cycling Victoria’s commitment to serving and protecting its members and participants throughout all levels of the sport. Through working together, the Cycling community can prevent discrimination and harassment and create a safe and supportive environment for all participants at all levels. Read More on the Member Protection Policy here:
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CA Member Protection Policy
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RELATING TO KEY PEOPLE
A PARENTS GUIDE TO CYCLING
As a parent, it is also very important to be able to work with other members of the cycling community such as coaches, commissaires, and other parents. Below are a few tips on the role of the parent and how they relate to coaches and commissaires.
Coaches Due to the individual nature of cycling coaches have a relationship that is different to other sports. Parents must be attentive and aware of their child’s training and this relationship to ensure a positive experience in the sport. When selecting a coach make sure they are fully accredited. This accreditation ensure that they have the appropriate training and working with children checks conducted before they work as a coach. The coach is an important person in ensuring your
child enjoys cycling and meets their goals. You may have different views on what is important. If you have concerns, discuss them with the coach to resolve the situation. It is important to no undermine the coach however work together for the best of your child. If difficulties remain, help your child use the situation as a growth experience. If the problems are serious (harassment, abuse, etc.), Cycling Victoria has a number of Member Protection Officers that can provide advice on what your options are. They are
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publicised on the Cycling Victoria website.
communities, faiths, etc.)
If you are looking for a coach some key things to consider are:
ff Are a skilled teacher, a clever psychologist, a practical philosopher, and a sensible negotiator.
ff Have a thorough understanding of cycling, and experience having worked with junior athletes,
ff Has more than just winning in sight. Long-term goals of helping young people develop physically, psychologically, and socially should take precedence over the goal of winning.
ff Understands the differences in learning styles for athletes. Some are better with visual aids, others are better listeners, whilst some require learning through making mistakes, ff Understands why children participate in cycling and what they want to achieve, ff Understands, and can deal with, differences in children’s physical and emotional maturity and appreciates each child for her or his individuality. ff The coach is inclusive of all (gender, cultural and linguistically diverse
ff Is skilled at teaching the fundamentals of cycling. ff Teaches young athletes to enjoy successes and learn from times that they did not perform as they wished ff Emphasizes improvement, competence, and striving for excellence. ff Helps children develop positive selfimages and learn standards of conduct that are acceptable to society. ff Teaches and models behavior that reflects
A PARENTS GUIDE TO CYCLING
desirable basic values
Coaches Communicating with Athletes: Coaches Communication Guidelines
Electronic Communications and Social Media Policy It is the policy of Cycling Victoria that any participant involved in any of its or our member club programs as an employee, volunteer, participant or independent contractor shall adhere to this policy for electronic communications and social media. ff All electronic communication between coach and player must be for the purpose of communicating information about training or competition activities.
ff Coaches and players must follow common sense guidelines regarding the volume and time of day of any allowed electronic communication. ff Any content of an electronic communication should be readily available to share with the public or families of the player or coach.
Facebook, Blogs and Similar Sites All posts, messages, text, or media of any kind between coach and athletes must be professional in nature and for the purpose of communicating information about team activities or for team-oriented motivational purposes. Direct messaging or private messaging between a coach and a minor athlete is only allowed when the parent (s) or guardian (s) are copied in the message.
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Twitter, Instant Messaging and Similar Media All posts between coach and athletes must be for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. Direct messaging or private messaging between a coach and a minor athlete is only allowed when the parent (s) or guardian (s) are copied in the message.
Email and Similar Electronic Communications Athletes and coaches may use email to communicate. All email content between coach and athletes must
be professional in nature and for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. Emails from a coach to a minor athlete must include a copy to such player’s parent(s) or guardian(s).
Texting and Similar Electronic Communications Texting is allowed between coaches and athletes. All texts between coach and athletes must be professional and for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. Texting should not occur after 9pm or before 6 am unless there is an
emergency situations. Text messages from a coach to a minor athlete must include a copy to such player’s parent(s) or guardian(s).
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Commissaires You and the Commissaires on on the same team - your roles are just different. The role of the Commissaire is to know the regulations and keep a safe and fair racing enviroment. Helping to support the Commissaire and working together will ensure the best possible time in cycling. Their role is exceptionally difficult and is rarely thanked. Poor behaviour does not support performance of anyone involved in the race. If you’re child feels hard done by through a decision made by a commissaire, respectfully approach the head commissaire (with your child) and ask about it in an appropriate manner. However, at the end of the day the ‘judges decision’ is final, and it can be used as a learning experience. Some key things to remember are:
ff Parents should not question the decision of a commissaire during the course of an event. If a parent needs to seek clarification they should approach the team coach or manager and apply similar guidelines to those above. ff It is never appropriate to question or abuse commissaires during or after an event. ff Remember that commissaires are doing the best they can. In most instances, commissaires have received training and have a better understanding of the rules. Commissaries make mistakes, as do players. Even commissaires aren’t perfect. Commissaires may have a different view of the sport to those of spectators and so may see something that you cannot, or vice versa.
A PARENTS GUIDE TO CYCLING
ƒƒ Most commissaires are volunteers who give up their time to do the job. ff Remember, without commissaires there would be no events.
Commissaires Communication: Parents or a suitable guardian must be present whenever you are discussing any matters with an athlete.
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KEY THINGS TO CONSIDER
A PARENTS GUIDE TO CYCLING 21
Misplaced enthusiasm Parents sometimes put too much emphasis on outcome goals (such as winning) rather than their children’s enjoyment. Remember it is best to support and foster an enjoyment of the sport. Remember to be enthusiastic, but not over the top. Remember that the world championships are not on the line.
Induced guilt Parents can spend thousands of dollars and countless hours on their child’s cycling.
It is very easy for the child to begin to notice the “sacrifice” and feel tremendous guilt and pressure to do well. Children do need to appreciate their opportunities, but should not be made, even unintentionally, to feel guilty about them.
Living vicariously through our children Parents sometimes push children in order to make up for their own past frustrations and limitations. Too much vicarious involvement by parents can become a tremendous
burden to young cyclists and may cause them to leave cycling or sport all together.
Glimmer of gold Ambition is good, but the reality is that less than 1% of children who start cycling will go on to make a living out of it. Be supportive but be realistic. A career as a professional cyclist should not be the reason your child is a cyclist.
Losing perspective Parents sometimes lose sight of what is important for
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children and themselves. Growth and development and preparation for life need to be the priority. Parents and children should regularly discuss values in sport and life. Knowing who we are, what is important in life, and how sports fit in are all part of achieving a perspective. With the “bigger picture� in place, both parents and children are less prone to youth sport problems.
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Parental Code of Conduct
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RACING: WHERE TO FIND MORE
A PARENTS GUIDE TO CYCLING 25
Racing is a lot of fun! Initially, however, the concept of racing may be intimidating. There is a wealth of information about racing, race strategy, cycling equipment and gear. Most of it can be found on the Internet. However, when you start out it is not always easy to find the right information at the right time. To help you find the information you need and to help you discover the joy of racing, we have provided this guide for first time racers in Victoria. We hope it provides the answers to some of your questions, and points you in the right direction for others. The guide should not be considered a definitive guide to racing, but a handy reference tool that you can use in preparation for racing in Victoria.
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Beginner’s Guide to Racing
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RULES AND REGULATIONS
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There are three levels of rules applicable to cycling in Victoria: International Cycling Union (UCI): These regulations are specific to UCI Sanctioned events or where the Cycling Australia/Victoria regulations may be silent. Cycling Australia (CA): These are the rules that all non-UCI events in Victoria and Australia must be conducted under.* Cycling Victoria abide by the Cycling Australia Technical Regulations however have noted the need for specific regulations regarding races that are specific to only Victoria. These are therefore specific for all State events run in Victoria. It should also be noted that a number of events have event regulations. These will be provided by the organiser in advance of the event.
More information on Rules and Regulations: Technical Regulations
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CV Social Media Policy
MORE INFORMATION Cycling Victoria P: 03 8480 3000 E: vic.info@cycling.org.au