ACADEMYGB SHORT TRACK

PROSPECTUS

OUR VISION

Our aim is to create a world class programme that nurtures performance

and development. The GB Short Track Speed Skating (GBSTSS) Academy

allows us to identify, confirm and prepare the best young athletes for

transitioning onto the full-time World Class Programme (WCP). The

Academy will give athletes the opportunity to develop the skills and

characteristics required to be a World and Olympic champion. We believe

our Academy programme will provide the best opportunity for athletes to

learn about themselves as skaters, competitors and people.

I wish you all the best of luck on your journey to Beijing 2022 and beyond.

I look forward to seeing you on the podium wearing our national colours

in the future.

Stewart Laing

Performance Director - GB Short Track Team

UNDERPINNING THE WCP WITH POTENTIAL

The Challenge There are currently 9 Short Track Speed Skating clubs in Great Britain, training 2-3 times per week on ice. The centralised

World Class Programme (WCP) is based in Nottingham, and skaters here train up to 10 times per week on ice, and also have

up to 10 off-ice sessions session per week. Currently, skaters have to make a significant jump from club skating to

full-time timing when they become eligible for the WCP.

The Solution Creating sustainable performance pathways requires consistent identification, confirmation and development of athletes.

Therefore, the GBSTSS Academy will underpin the World Class Programme, allowing skaters a transition period to develop

before entering the World Class Programme.

WCPWCP

ACADEMY

CLUBCLUB

SPEED SKATING PATHWAY

SKATE UK CLUBS ACADEMYPODIUM

POTENTIAL PODIUM

EXPLORE EXPOSE EMBED EXCEL

NISA ‘Learn to Skate’ Programme

Ice Rinks Nationwide9 x Clubs

All ages and abilitiesCentralised WCP in Nottingham

18 years +

Camp-based in She� eld & Clubs 2 year Transition Programme

15 years +

The Journey Whilst the pathway is shown as a linear route, development is an evolutionary process. This means a skater’s actual journey may differ, with opportunity, education and injury being just some of the factors that will shape an athlete’s unique path.

There will be periods of transition, adjustments and stepping out of the comfort zone into the unknown. Re-evaluating this journey along the way will shape the athlete’s future and allow them to move forward with clear purpose.

The most important thing is that a skater makes the most of the resources available at any given time and remembers that no one route to the top is ever the same as another.

ACADEMYThe Academy is a camp-based programme, which will operate between individual skating clubs and Ice Sheffield .

As members of the GBSTSS Academy programme, athletes will be an ambassador for the sport and we will be looking for them to lead by example. It is a programme that will provide a stimulating environment which will help developing athletes to understand the requirements, expectation and principles of what it is to be a World and Olympic champion.

Our aim is to continue to build on the foundations provided by the clubs, furthering the skater’s development within a culture built on teamwork, respect, trust and continuously striving for excellence. Selection onto the Academy will be through a multi-phased recruitment process - identifying athletes that show commitment, determination and headroom for development.

Whilst skating is important, we also know how crucial development off-ice is. We aim to provide the athletes with access to World Class coaching, individualised training programmes and regular athlete profiling opportunities. Throughout an athlete’s time in the Academy, there will be plenty of opportunities to learn and develop, both as a skater and as an individual.

We have high expectations that athletes from the GBSTSS Academy will progress onto the centralised World Class Programme. When doing so, the transition will be a step-across and not a step-up.

ENTRY ROUTE TO THE ACADEMY

Application The application will be open to any athletes with skating experience (short & long track, hockey, figure and experienced general session skaters), who are aged between 15yrs and 18yrs.

Identification Athletes will be invited to take part in a multi-phase ‘talent identification process’ (TID), where skaters will be tested against a number of benchmarks. Tests may include: sprints, jumps, aerobic fitness, and upper and lower body-strength tests. The selection process also includes an in-depth analysis of each athlete’s training and competition history, and exploration of the Winning Habits.

Application

Tracking

Confirmation

Selection

Identification

Tracking and ConfirmationAt this stage of the process athletes will embark on a 3 month confirmation phase to further assess their suitability for the programme, and better equip them for the journey ahead. The athlete’s pathway from identification to World Class performance is also outlined. Tracking of athletes will be performed via: functional movement screening, medical screening, performance lifestyle workshops and psychology and behavioural assessments. During this period the athletes are exposed to a carefully constructed developmental experience and their rates of progression are tracked to further assess their suitability for the Academy. Unsuccessful athletes are provided with opportunities to continue the sport through the club system.

SelectionOnce confirmed and selected, athletes will be inducted into the Academy, where membership will generally last 2-3 years, however each athlete will be reassessed on an annual basis.

OPPORTUNITY FOR COACH DEVELOPMENT

The vision of the Academy is to provide athletes with the ultimate accelerated development experience. For this to be achieved, we believe the pathway needs to be better aligned.

Therefore, the Academy will work with Club Coaches to develop their athletes and also provide the chance for coaching CPD. The Academy will offer coaches the opportunity to join Academy camps, including on and off ice training and educational seminars. Coaches will be provided with the GB Short Track development curriculum and the understanding of the WCP’s ‘What It Takes To Win’ model.

We believe this will provide the coaches with additional resources and understanding, in order to play a vital role in supporting their athletes’ journey into and on the Academy.

Coaching Opportunities

• Joining Academy training days

• Provided with Development Curriculum

• Educational seminars

• Development of skills and knowledge

• Playing a vital role in athlete’s journey

• Link to the WCP and its coaches

• Access to coaching resources

• Increased contact time with World Class Coaches.

SUPPORT FOR PARENTS & GUARDIANS

For skaters progressing through the Academy, the support network around them will have a significant influence on their development and performance.

We acknowledge the important role of parents and guardians in this network, and aim to run specific parent and guardians support sessions at the Academy camps.

Supporting your athlete

• Encourage non-dependence

• Allow the athlete to explore their own experiences

• Challenge the athlete to see things from different perspectives

• Reward effort and persistence

• Encourage the athlete to think about the processes – not just the result

• Be part of training and races

• Explore different ways to nurture learning

• Time management - make time for all aspects of the athletes’ lives, including rest and school work

• Try to ask questions rather than giving your opinions

• Supporting the learning from failure and mistake-making

• Help the athlete deal with setbacks: they will happen!

• Help the athlete to adjust if reality doesn’t meet expectation.

The GB Short Track Academy is a brilliant

opportunity for young athletes to join the World

Class Programme. The Academy staff are totally

committed to supporting athletes in every

aspect of their development. Becoming multiple

World Championship medallist and European

Champion isn’t easy, and it requires years of hard

work and commitment. I have always believed in

going above and beyond what is expected and

the results will be more than worth it. This is an

exciting time to be part of GB Short Track and I

wish all athletes the best of luck on the journey,

but most of all, ENJOY IT….

Elise ChristieWorld Championship Medallist & European Champion

THANKS

GB Short Track Performance Programme are thankful for the funding and support received from the National Lottery, UK Sport, English Institute of Sport and National Ice Skating Association to our National Team and Academy. We would also like to thank our stakeholders, who share our vision, and our skater’s families and their clubs, who provide the programme with the talented athletes that sustain our success at international level.

GB Short Track Speed SkatingUnit 2A, 26-30 Stoney Street

Nottingham NG1 1LL