We aim to provide quality safe secure cycle coaching for young people of all abilities aged from 4-16.  All our coaches have undergone British Cycling coaching courses and are CRB checked.

Our history

The Youth Section of Stockton Wheelers cycling club began when Colin Leckonby, club president, and Kevin Kilcullen, lead coach, offered cycling coaching at St Gregory’s Roman Catholic primary School in Stockton.  The initial eleven children came to regular Saturday morning training sessions beginning in March 2007.  Success was such that Kevin decided to run a series of morning sessions during the school holidays and asked two of the then club’s youth riders Ethan Conlin and Matthew Woods to help out.  Within a space of a year the cycle sessions moved to Our Lady and St Bede’s Secondary School in Stockton primarily as our popularity was such that we needed a bigger area.  Thus our youth section found its current format; two sessions each of an hour with a good ratio of qualified club coaches to riders and plenty of young volunteers to help out.

This year we moved our sessions to our current home at Middlesbrough Cycling Circuit, Prissick Park and continue to go from strength to strength.

Where you can find us

The youth section meets every Saturday morning at Middlesbrough Cycling Circuit, Prissick Park.  We currently run two sessions.  From December 2011 the only Saturdays that the sessions won't be held are at Christmas and Easter.

Session 1 - 9:45 to 10:45am.

This session is designed for young children with no or very little riding experience.  We use balance bikes for those who have yet to master riding and often operate a ratio of one coach to two riders, where possible, for the very beginners.  Our success rate is high with many of our riders progressing on to the more advanced groups and representing the club in regional and national youth racing competitions.  In this session we concentrate on bike handling skills. A new and popular addition this term has been the introduction of adult sessions during session one (9:30 to 10:30am).  These sessions concentrate on bike handling skills aimed at novice riders and those wishing to improve their skills and confidence.

Session 2 - 10:45 to 11:45am.  This session is designed for older children who have mastered the basic skills of cycling and wish to develop their skills further and perhaps develop some racing techniques.  Within this session we have at least two groups so that specific individual development of all cycling skills can be taught..

The Coaching Team

Colin is President of Stockton Wheelers Cycling Club and the other founder member of the club youth section.  He is the club Welfare Officer and supports the club coaches in their coaching sessions.  He is brilliant with a toolbox and will adjust many of the children’s and or adult’s bikes.

Carl has been a club coach for two years   He holds a British Cycling Level Two Certificate in Cycle Coaching and is just about to embark on a second British Cycling  level two course specifically for the coaching of road cycling and time trialling.

Jayne has worked with the youth section for about three years, initially as a club welfare officer before training to become a cycle coach and also holds a British Cycling Level Two Certificate in Cycle Coaching.  She is often seen helping the other coaches out on the track, preparing refreshments or sorting cycling kit.  Indeed if you are interested in purchasing any Stockton Wheelers club kit then please see Jayne.

 Callum is a British Cycling Trainee Level 2 coach and has been with us in this capacity for the last 6 months. Although he has been in the club for the last 3 years as a helpful parent whist his 2 sons participated in coaching and racing with Stockton Wheelers. He has become more involved this year and has participated in club time trials after many years absence with the aim to better his oldest son’s times.

Jaime is a British Cycling Trainee Level 2 coach and has been with us in this capacity for the last 6 months. Jaime was also recruited to coaching through her son starting to race for Stockton Wheelers. She has also participated in sportives including the Northern Rock Cyclone.

Alice is a young volunteer and has been with the club as a youth rider for the last few years. Although she has only been involved in cycling for a short time she has represented the club at national youth races. She has also been a part of the North East team at last years School Games where she put in a very strong performance. She has also recently represented the North East at the Inter Regional Track Championships.

Declan is a young volunteer and has been with the club as a youth rider for the last few years. He has represented the club at local and regional level races and is looking forward to racing at junior level next year.

Bradley is a young volunteer and has been with the club as a youth rider for the last year. He has performed very well at local youth races recording some very notable wins. He is relishing the prospect of racing at junior level for the club.

Michelle is the club secretary and has been with the club for the last 15 years. She has in the past participated in time trials and would dearly love to have the time to do more rides. She can often be found helping out on Saturdays when her work schedule allows and also deals with the various enquiries that the club receives along with the day to day tasks. Michelle deals with the notice board which is usually at the sessions with the latest news. If anyone would like anything added to the notice board please contact her.

Contact us

If you would like to come along and join us feel free to drop in to any Saturday session.  One of us will be there to answer any questions you may have.  Alternatively please contact Kevin Kilcullen.