Academy Camp | Inverclyde

The National Sports Training Centre Inverclyde played host to a busy and inspiring Academy camp for the weekend beginning 26 September, where 11 athletes came together for a packed programme of training and development. For six of the participants, it was their very first Academy camp experience.

The weekend began on Friday evening with bike fit checks, ensuring each athlete was set up correctly before diving into the sessions ahead. Academy coaches Kev MacArthur, Kev Watson and Dom James led the programme across the three days.

Saturday morning saw the squad board the ferry to the Isle of Cumbrae for a group cycling session. Riders split into smaller groups to complete different numbers of laps around the island, giving them both a physical challenge and a chance to build connections with teammates. The day started with bright conditions but ended with a wet finish as the rain set in.

In the afternoon, the athletes embraced the wet weather with transition practice, focusing on speed and efficiency. This was followed by movement analysis work, looking closely at the quality of fundamental movements and how they transfer into swimming, cycling and running performance.

Saturday evening brought a special visit from Lauren Dickson, fresh from her victory at the Scottish Cycling Hill Climbing Championships earlier that day. Lauren shared insights into her own approach to goal setting, before guiding the athletes in applying these techniques to their own sporting journeys.

On Sunday morning, the focus returned to cycling with an indoor session, before revisiting and further developing the goal-setting work from the previous evening. After lunch, parents were welcomed for an informative session led by the Academy coaches, exploring the role of the Academy and, aligned with the Athlete Development Framework, the best ways to support young athletes within the development pathway. Meanwhile, the athletes rounded off their weekend with conditioning exercises centred on foot and ankle stability.

The combination of structured training, skill development, and motivational input made for a highly productive and enjoyable weekend – leaving athletes, coaches, and parents inspired for the season ahead.