Obstacle Mud Runner - issue 13

ForEliteAtheletes toFunRunners obstaclemudrunner.co.uk 20 RACE : JUNIORS The OCR Junior Development Programme UK The OCR Girls Co-Manager, Emma Waring had taken a number of the girls to train with both Dave Peters, Owner at Rumble Fitness and also with Robin French at Wild Forest Gym. She wanted to create a programme which provided the Girls, Boys & Juniors an opportunity to progress over a 9 month period. From this, a collaboration was formed between Emma, Dave, Robin and fellow OCR Competitor and Mum to 3 promising juniors; Jane Grant. Dave and Robin were already working on different ideas to attract more juniors into the sport and to develop and progress those already competing. All four founders are extremely passionate about Junior development and inclusive opportunities within OCR. In November last year they all got together and planned a streamlined and progressive approach to supporting the juniors in coaching, building confidence, obstacle techniques and efficiency, as well as bringing all teams & individuals together as a collective; to train together and support each other. The structure of the programme follows key training principles that aren’t just teaching technique to the juniors but is enforcing the key areas required by them to perform them correctly and above all else safely and within their means. The programme follows a structure based around movement control, relevant strength and conditioning and utilising the JDP team’s strengths in Sport Science, Youth Work, S&C and extensive Personal and Group Training knowledge the programme has a progressive course of action no matter which level the juniors have started at. With the support of Njuko who provide the booking platform the decision was made regarding which dates would be appropriate around the race calendar and school holidays, Dave & Robin created a coaching programme which is now known as the OCR Junior Development Programme UK . Jason Curtis & Shaun Wilde from 5S Fitness based in Macclesfield are also now on board as a training centre too. With three training centres in place, a mission statement, service level agreements, a safeguarding and welfare policy, coaching outcomes and registration open, the OCR Junior Development Programme UK was open for bookings. Almost every session has been fully booked and each and every participant has achieved their goals throughout 2019, whether that is to improve on a particular technique or to qualify and participate in a Championship event. There have been successes and podiums at the OCR European Championships, as well as qualifications for Spartan Kids WC, Spartan European Championships, Spartan World Championships and OCR World Championships. In addition to this, there have been a number of new juniors who have also grown in ability, enthusiasm and confidence. Above all, friendships have been formed and support networks created at the same time as receiving safe and effective Junior coaching which is appropriate to each of their abilities and their developmental stage. Next year the programme will expand and there are plans to add additional skills to the programme such as Parkour and a Running Programme as well as increasing our offering around the country with the inclusion of other training centres allowing us to help more juniors towards their goals. The JDP is a really special collaboration of some of the best coaches, mentors and youth participation enthusiasts that the UK OCR scene has to offer and it is surely moving on to even greater things. Our Juniors are the future of the sport in the UK… and we are really proud to be able to help them The OCR Junior Development Programme was born out of a recognised need to provide a structured and specific development platform for juniors within OCR the future of the sport... For more information, find us on Facebook @OCR Junior Development Programme UK or feel free to contact Dave Peters from Rumble on 07769 351968.