Principal Partner
Be Active Training Squad - BEATS
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THE HISTORY The “Be Active Training Squad”/ BEATS cater for a talented group of young male and female Equestrian WA members between the ages of 12 and 16 years. The squad has been in existence since 1994, being continuously sponsored by Healthway and their various healthy messages over the many years. Over time BEATS has also been supported by other sponsors and from 2007, we have been very proud to have Prestige Loans as a major sponsor. Emphasis is not only placed on furthering the riding talents of these young people, but on giving them an all round education in all aspects of equestrian sport ; organizational skills, judging and stewarding, course building, sports psychology skills, horse management, as well personal health, exercise, and diet regimes. The riders come from all four equestrian sports: Eventing, Dressage, Jumping and Show Horse. Throughout their training, great emphasis has been placed on attitude and realistic goal setting. From 2008 and continuing in 2010, the members of the squad are assessed on each training day, with coaching staff carefully tracking their ability, attitude, sportsmanship, punctuality and turnout/presentation. The riders are then given mid-year and end-of-year ‘report cards’ to give an idea of the areas in which they excel, and any areas they need to improve on. It is a requirement that riders attend all training sessions; should the need arise to miss a training session, written notice must be given to the organizer at least a week in advance. No more than 3 training sessions may be missed throughout the year; if this occurs, the rider will forfeit their place on the Squad. The “Be Active Training Squad” has proved so popular that when twenty new places were first advertised, there were over fifty applications for them. In 1996 the scheme expanded to the country and catered for twenty young riders in Geraldton. Since then the group has expanded to up to 42 riders in the Perth squad and 20 riders in the Geraldton squad. In 2009, the BEATS Perth Squad was lowered to 32 riders, allowing increased one-on-one attention and thereby amplified learning opportunities for all riders. Other changes to the Program can be read below, under “Changes Initiated from 2009”. The Geraldton BEATS Squad was introduced in 1996 and caters for twenty talented young riders. The basic programme as above is the same for these country members. Assessment techniques are the same. The budget allows for one Level 2 coach to be flown to Geraldton each month and an assessor every six months. Local instructors and experts are used for various subjects. All the lectures and theory material have been made available to the entire Equestrian WA High Performance Squads. The overall plan being that the members of the BEATS squad will move on to the High Performance training squads allowing the formation of a pathway to National Competition and ultimately International and Olympic competition for our young riders. In 2006 the addition of the NCAS Introductory Riding and Horse Management Certificates were introduced into the BEATS program. This not only improved all squad members’ knowledge and skills in equestrian, it also provides them with valuable opportunity to enter into the coaching field at a later stage – thus providing job opportunities. Assessment days were offered early in 2008, where 2007 BEATS riders were provided the opportunity to become certified. All BEATS members are now encouraged to register for the package of resources containing the Introductory Horse Management workbook, and the Introductory Riding Dressage and/or General level. All Horse Management lectures will follow the activities within this resource and we aim to offer assessments on the second day of each 2-day training clinic, thus allowing as many BEATS members as possible the opportunity to progress through these levels and begin their coaching careers. TARGET GROUPS The target group for the Perth squad for 2010 will be 32 talented young riders. The minimum age of any rider accepted is 12 (during the calendar year in which they turn 13) and the maximum age of any rider is 16 (during the calendar year in which they turn 17). The majority of these young riders will have been, or still will be attending Pony Club and therefore have a basic knowledge and skills in most areas. The criteria are that riders must be competing in at least one of the four major disciplines; please see “Criteria” under “Changes initiated from 2009”. They have to show a positive attitude towards competition and a willingness to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Prospective members must have a suitable, reasonably experienced mount. All applicants are made aware that they must become financial members of the Equestrian Federation of Australia, to be able to be a member of the squad. SELECTION PROCEDURE and ASSESSMENTS For 2010, riders will be invited to submit applications forms as of mid-December through to mid-January. It is necessary that all applicants ensure they meet at least one section of the detailed competition criteria (please see below, “Competition Criteria”). Following the submission of applications, the coaching panel will review applications and invite a selection of suitable candidates to a mounted assessment day held at the State Equestrian Centre. The mounted assessments will be divided by sport. Each group will be observed by one member of each State Selection Panel for the High Performance Pathways, and coached by a current BEATS coach. Following the assessment, the coaching panel & selectors will be to decide the final selections. In addition to the mounted assessment, the rider will be asked to sit down to a 10 minute interview, also held on the assessment day. CHANGES INITIATED From 2009 The changes which have been initiated are as a result of discussion with DSR, WAIS, Healthway, and the EFA National High Performance Program, as BEATS further aligns with the Equestrian WA High Performance Pathways. Changes include: Competition Criteria for all combinations (horse/rider combinations must meet at least one aspect of the following criteria to be considered to the Squad) including: Eventing – must be competing at Intro 1 Jumping – must be competing at 80cm Dressage and Show Horse – riders are asked to provide best results from the year Final selections to BEATS will be determined following the interview & ridden assessment. Case Management – athlete tracking and pathway development whereby coaches submit assessment forms following each training day, allocating marks to each rider based upon ability, attitude, punctuality, turnout/presentation, and sportsmanship. Each rider will then receive a mid-year and end of year ‘report card’, detailing areas that have improved or need improvement. Further alignment to EWA High Performance Pathways – competition criteria, NCAS certificates, WAIS support, EFA support and all other aspects of the 2010 BEATS program therein provide BEATS athletes utmost encouragement and support to allow them to attain status on WA and National High Performance Squads Inclusion of WAIS Gifted Athlete Program (GAP) – allowing BEATS riders to meet twice yearly with WAIS professionals, and receive on-line mentoring of the various topics. Proposed modules include: Understanding your Sporting Pathway; Sports Nutrition; Time Management and Goal Setting; Injury Prevention and Recovery; and many more. Further inclusion of sport specific skills – 2010 will see the BEATS rotation of activities include a variety of equine-based sport specific skills, including (but not limited to): The Training Scale; Lunging the Horse; Rules, Regulations and Protocols (specific to each sport); Course Building & Walking (Eventing & Jumping); Presentation of Horse and Rider; and Writing Applications – how to put your best foot forward. More two-day clinics – following 2008 and 2009, it became apparent that many of our country-based families found it hard to get to Perth for early mornings throughout the year. In addition, having back-to-back training days will allow for further team building and development of each athlete’s knowledge as their progress is observed and worked upon two days in a row Further emphasis on NCAS Coaching Pathways – all 2010 BEATS members will be strongly encouraged to purchase the NCAS Introductory Riding & Horse Management resources and begin their coaching development. These resources will remain the primary curriculum for the BEATS Horse Management classes, and members will have the opportunity to be assessed throughout the year during the second day of two-day clinics. THANKS AND ACKOWLEDGEMENT Following a meeting with the previous BEATS coaches, lecturers and stakeholders we have set the program for BEATS for 2010. Over the years, BEATS has been able to progress and develop through the continued support of specific key persons who have improved and added value to the outcomes. Special thanks must be made to the following persons whose contributions to the success of the 2008 program are paramount: Felicity Perry, Nellandra Henry, Hazel Hikins, Jan Jankowski, Philippa Collier, Dinah Fleming, and the UWA Sports Performance Psychology Team and past co ordinator Jenine Dilts. Thanks must also go to our sponsors, Prestige Loans and Healthway “Go for 2&5” as without them we could not offer the program to you. BEATS members are encouraged to thank sponsors frequently, and will be asked to write letters of thanks throughout the year to show their appreciation. COACHES FOR 2010 In 2010 we hope to welcome back many of our past BEATS coaches, along with some new faces as well! Note: at time of print, this list is not complete. The completed list will be available in early 2010. In addition, we plan to offer BEATS members discounted clinics with International and Interstate High Performance coaches brought over for the State Squads whenever possible! DATES FOR 2010 2010 again offers its BEATS Squad riders 10 training days throughout the year. Each BEATS family will receive a newsletter via email at least one-week prior to the training date providing further details. Although we aim to hold these clinics on the dates listed, they may be altered if circumstance requires. Training days will be held at the State Equestrian Centre, and therefore Ground Service fees will be collected at each clinic. BEATS members in 2010 will have the option of paying their Ground Service fees at the time of their 2010 BEATS payment, although this is not a necessity (please note that if GSF’s are paid up front, reimbursements will not be offered if the combination becomes unable to attend a training day) Parents are required to stay throughout the duration of the BEATS day and are asked to assist coaches (ex: set up for Jumping, assisting with rails during lessons) whenever possible. Should a parent be unable to stay for the duration of a BEATS training day, the must ensure a guardian is appointed in case an emergency should occur; this must be communicated with the Equestrian WA office. All training days are mounted and will include a BEATS lecture to begin the day, followed by group rotations of 2 mounted lessons (rotation of flatwork, jumping, cross-country) and 2 un-mounted lessons (horse management and 1 other). Riders MUST attend training days on their BEATS nominated horse; exceptions will ONLY be made in case of illness or injury of the nominated horse. Should a horse become unavailable due to injury, the rider is still expected to participate in an un-mounted capacity. 2010 Dates: TBA Wednesday 20th January – Ridden assessment @ SEC Wednesday 20th January – Ridden Assessment Day @ SEC Saturday February 20th – Initial training and welcome (half day only) Saturday March 20th Tuesday April 6th & Wednesday April 7th - two day clinic & first NCAS assessments Saturday May 8th Saturday June 19th Tuesday July 13th & Wednesday July 14th - 2 day clinic & second NCAS assessments Saturday August 14th Tuesday October 5th, Wednesday Oct 6th & Thursday Oct 7th – 3 day clinic & final NCAS assessments Saturday November 20th – End of year Luncheon and Awards Presentations
2009 APPLICATIONS CLOSE December 18th at 4pm Questions or comments should be directed to: Jennine Smith Development Manager, Equestrian WA (08) 9296 1200 development@equestrianwa.org.au
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