April 20/12 16:15 pm - Cyclesmith Creates Nova Scotia’s First Junior Racing Team

Posted by Editoress on 04/20/12
 

Cyclesmith is proud to announce the creation of Nova Scotia’s first Junior Racing Team. The new team, lead by President and Head Coach Andrew Feenstra, came about quite naturally. “It all started with the kids and their parents,” says Feenstra. “Their passion and dedication has made it all possible.” What began as a bunch of kids wearing the same t- shirt has quickly grown into a group of talented and enthusiastic youths who train and compete together out of their love for the sport, while encouraging the next generation of riders to discover the fun and freedom of cycling. 

“In the past, the sport has not been easily accessible to Nova Scotia’s youth, because most of the events in the province have been dominated by senior riders,” says Feenstra. “The Cyclesmith Junior Racing Team will seek to address these issues so that young riders are motivated to participate and can do so more effectively.” 

The ultimate goal of exposing young riders to the sport of cycling is to make them “Active for Life,” continues Feenstra. “It’s our hope that they continue their involvement in cycling well past their competitive racing years by becoming coaches, event organizers, officials and volunteers. It’s important to make their experience as positive and fun as we can so that they remain involved in cycling, and pass on the same values to the next generation of riders.” Each member of the team is expected to be an ambassador of the sport on and off the track, and promote cycling to their friends and classmates by word of mouth and through their social media connections.

Team members will train based on the Canadian Sport For Life Long Term Development Strategy, which breaks down training into three phases – Learn to Train, Train to Train, and Train to Compete. Each phase targets a specific age group, giving those riders the skills and experience needed to advance to the next phase. In addition to regular training, the team also organizes monthly clinics on various topics as well as biannual “Projects”– two- day training events involving travel throughout Atlantic Canada. 

Support for The Cyclesmith Junior Racing Team starts with the riders’ parents, with many taking positions on the team’s board. “Parents play a pivotal role in the success and evolution of our team,” says Feenstra.

For learn more about The Cyclesmith Junior Racing Team, visit their website at www.cyclesmithjuniorracing.com or contact Andrew Feenstra at Andrew@cyclesmith.ca or by phone at 902- 425- 1756.