Supporting the next generation of cyclists
Formed in 2011, Kingston Junior Cycle Club (KJCC) provides an amazing opportunity for young people to develop their passion for cycling and provides pathways into racing and club cycling. Many of our members are actively involved with the running of the club and children of Wheelers enjoy the weekly training sessions at the Hawker Centre.
Weekly training sessions
The club meets on Saturday mornings, with a break over Christmas and the New Year at the Hawker Centre in Ham. All sessions follow the British Cycling Go-Ride programme, giving children of ages between 5 and 16. the opportunity to develop their cycling skills in a safe, enjoyable environment. The club provides coaching for the core skills, as well as specialisms including road, TT, MTB and cyclocross.
Coach Matt says: ‘The sessions are always ‘run with fun’, by British Cycling qualified coaches. As well as the riders themselves, there is a real community spirit amongst parents and carers which really adds to the encouraging atmosphere. The coaches have as much fun as the riders too!’
Check here each week for the latest sessions.
London Youth Games
KJCC has been involved in selecting and managing the Kingston team for the London Youth Games for a number of years now. The LYG is a well organised and well attended event which takes place in the Lee Valley Olympic Park. It comprises a TT and Road race for children who live or go to school in London boroughs. Previous cycling participants have included Bradley Wiggins and Joanna Rowsell. We hold open trials a few weeks before the event with other clubs and Boroughs including Richmond, Twickenham and Hounslow.
“I’ve loved being involved with the LYG for the last few years encouraging KJCC members and other children to compete either for Kingston or their own boroughs. Some of the riders will be destined for great careers in cycling, but all enjoy their day’s riding” – Coach Geof.
Pathway to Club Cycling
Several members of KJCC have graduated into Kingston Wheelers over the years. Notably Jack Hartrey who joined his father Mike at the club where he has got into road racing and regularly competes in hill climbs. “I joined KJCC when I was first entering the world of cycling in 2012. Aged 7-8, the learning curve was steep and I quickly found myself gaining confidence, speed and skills. I loved the fun-nature of the sessions, the insightful coaching advice and the ability to make good friends – some of whom I still ride with today! As I grew older, joining KWCC felt like a natural progression, due to the close proximity of the club and the focus on long group rides. My Dad being a well-established member also made the jump less daunting. I quickly found a love for KWCC with its friendly membership, variety of rides and routes and obligatory cafe stop banter. Overall, joining KJCC fostered my love for cycling, and subsequently stepping up to KWCC felt like the perfect next step to progress my cycling journey.”
Strengthening our bonds
In our Centenary year we are looking to strengthen the bond between the two clubs and give support to KJCC, so that they continue to provide qualified coaching and equipment for future cyclists in the Kingston area. KJCC are currently updating their kit design to reflect the strengthened ties to Kingston Wheelers, and who wouldn’t when the Wheelers kit is ‘officially’ one of coolest designs in London! (ed: Matt’s words, not ours, but we don’t disagree)
KJCC is a truly grassroots club. It relies on its coaches and support staff to keep it going, and to its parents and carers to continue to bring their kids down on Saturdays to join in. The club is always grateful to those who want to help with coaching or other support (for example, James, one of the parents designed the new kit), but in particular, any help from Wheelers members in helping to encourage children of all levels to try it, and importantly to help them to continue in the sport once they reach their teens, is always appreciated.
