GRASSROOTS
(based loosely on the south east, south
west, north east and north west regions
of England with feeder clusters serving
local schools and clubs.
The first of these centres to open
serves the north west of England (from
Gretna down to Crewe, and from West
Kirby across to Colne) and is based
at Bolton School.
According to Pentathlon GB’s north
west regional co-ordinator, Dr Richard
Cox, Bolton School was chosen because
of its central location to serve the whole
of the north west area. “The locally-
based Horwich Modern Pentathlon Club
also has a tradition of producing tal-
ented young athletes and a willingness
to support the venture in Bolton,” he
explains. “The school has a very positive
and supportive attitude and when the
PE staff saw this opportunity, they
rallied together and galvanised all
relevant staff into action to make it
happen with the minimum of fuss and
in the quickest time feasible.”
According to Cox, outside a few large
urban conurbations, it’s unlikely that
Above and below: Sam Weale fencing and winning the Bath International 2009
clubs will be able to cater for three, four
or five of the sports locally. But where
National coaches at the regional performance centres share
they do, children will be encouraged to
join and clubs to be receptive to the chil-
coaching knowledge to help develop workforce skills
dren’s interests and aspirations.
“Some problems do arise however Cox adds however, that junior clubs other established athletes training at the
when training within competitive swim- are invariably more flexible, athlete fo- centre. When these children are ready
ming squads, for example,” says Cox. cused and therefore supportive of the to join the elite groups they will already
“As these may not be willing to make modern pentathlete who needs/wants be known by other coaches and athletes
an exception for pentathletes, who are to swim maybe only twice a week. and be familiar with the surroundings
expected to train like other swimmers The regional centres will provide for and the logistics of getting there.
of similar ability. If the squad trains 10 those aspiring athletes residing in areas In towns and cities where clubs do ca-
sessions a week, then the pentathletes without a fencing club, for example, to ter for all five sports, the performance
need to do the same and if a Pentathlon come to the centre for fencing training centre will help bring those interested
GB event clashes with a swimming event, on a weekly basis, or if beyond commut- in the sport together, both to promote
they are expected to forgo the Pentath- able distance, on occasional training a sense of identity and belonging to the
lon GB event.” weekends. Here they will be able to re- modern pentathlon fraternity, to organ-
ceive quality training provided by one of ise events and to offer more focused
the national coaches who is a specialist training in preparation for the Pentath-
modern pentathlon coach and will pro- lon GB regional and national events.
vide an agreed level of service. “It’s intended that the national coach
The North West region is also fortu- at the centre will invite local coaches to
nate in having a Sport England Club and share intelligence, information and ideas
Coach award and some of this fund- and outreach into local clubs to help
ing will be used to subsidise travel for with workforce development,” says Cox.
groups attending the centre on a regular As well as Pentathlon events, Pentath-
basis. For example, Blackburn Centurions lon GB also organises national biathlons,
Swimming Club and Blackburn Harriers, triathlons and tetrathlons and it’s up to
both of which actively encourage their the individual to do as few or as many
members to do multi-sport events, will disciplines as they wish – although the
attend the centre at Bolton School for full pentathlon does demand compe-
regular shooting and fencing coaching. tence in riding before an entry can be
Specialist coaches will hopefully inspire accepted. Some athletes actually never
and recognise potential new talent and get to that standard but enjoy the sport
develop children through exposure to on a more recreational basis. ●
52 Read Sports Management online
sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 3 2009 © cybertrek 2009
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