Unit 5 AO2

Describe the organisational structure for UK participation in your chosen activity Here are some of the things that I will be talking about in this assignment: Clubs and societies association structure individual participation group activities supporting organisations (eg YHA) national organisations (British Olympic Association) facilities (eg Holme Pierpoint for watersports) awards/qualification Mountain Biking

The Tribe Mountain Biking Club is an example of a club or society within mountain biking. It was set up to bring passionate mountain bikers together but has activities for beginners up to experienced mountain biker. They are then linked to the BCF (British Cycling Federation). British Cycling is the National Governing Body for cycling in Great Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, aiming to inspire participation in cycling as a sport, recreation and sustainable transport through achieving worldwide success. (www.britishcycling.org.uk). So it is similar to the FA (football Association) or the IRB (International Rugby Board) of their respective sports. They do various group events such as mountain biking in the Brecon beacons for a weekend trip.

Excellence

Performance Participation

Foundation

Mountain biking is a sport where the level of the sports pyramid continuum (Above) are clearly defined. With 1000s of people in the Foundation and Participation level of the pyramid. Who do it socially and do it because they enjoy it rather than do it in competitions and really pushing themselves. There is then slightly less in the Performance category which means they participate in regular competitions but are not amongst the very best in the world. Then the top of the pyramid would be very narrow with a few 100 in the Excellence category. The few who are in the Excellence category compete in serious competitions with huge cash prizes such as British National 4X Series. Of course there are some qualifications and awards available in the British mountain biking schemes. 2As you will be aware there are UK awards and qualifications at present that will qualify you to be a Mountain Bike guide in the UK, such as the Scottish Mountain Bike Guide Leader Award (SMBLA), the Off-road Training Consultancy Award (OTC). (www.ridethealps.com). There are little or no artificial places to go mountain biking in the UK however there are many places to go that are natural to go mountain biking within the UK, such as, the Brecon Beacons in Wales and the Hewitts in England.