Is there any real purpose to the Start squad?
In younger age classes (14/15/16) they aren't ever called upon to represent anything, they only go on a couple of long weekends training and for one week in the summer, get a flashy gb top (is this only because they are in a gb squad, even though they dont actually represent gb in any competitions till they are older) (and some money to go towards development?)
OK they are termed 'devolpment' squadies but whats the Start Squad doing to develop them that regional squads aren't? For example a number of those in the squad come from the West Midlands - who this summer went on tour to scandinavia - is the Start Squad doing anything for younger squadies apart from giving them a flashy gb top and a [temporary?] boost of confidence?
In older age classes (17/18) they travel to Scandinavia for a week - definately giving them extra experience which wouldn't be gained in the UK, despite some may have already been to events like the O-ringen when they were 14/15/16. The purpose of the Start Squad in the older years is to prepare these elite few for international competition - but what about in the younger ones where preparation for international competition is not strictly necessarily needed?
Start Squad?
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hmmm interesting....
for a start is the funding from UK Sport for the top level squads (the Senior and Junior Performance groups) dependent on their being a national scheme to develop the talent of those in this age group.
for a start is the funding from UK Sport for the top level squads (the Senior and Junior Performance groups) dependent on their being a national scheme to develop the talent of those in this age group.
nope it i still have the coolest hat in school
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eddie - [nope] cartel
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I was originally really anti start squad and I still think that it has it's downfalls - mainly for the damage to confidence of those not in it as I don't believe you can necessarily tell who's going to be "world class" at that age. However, the coaching side is a huge benefit. Fair enough, it's 'only' two weekends (plus the summer tours which happen anyway) but thats two more weekends in top quality terrain than they'd get otherwise. The regional squad system is great but isn't necessarily of the same standard in all the regions - the start program guarantees those on it access to top level advice and coaching, wherever they're from.
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There are international competitions available for M/W 16 and 18 like the European Youth Champs http://www.eyoc2005.com/
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Aren’t we wasting an opportunity here
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David - white
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Without the start squad you might lose some of the best juniors from the sport though. If they feel like they're not getting anywhere in orienteering they might just turn to some other sport.
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J.Tullster - diehard
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Re: Start Squad?
Anonymous wrote:Is there any real purpose to the Start squad?
is the Start Squad doing anything for younger squadies apart from giving them a flashy gb top and a [temporary?] boost of confidence?
I totally disagree with what you're saying here..the start squad has done a lot more than just give people flashy tops, its the first step on the ladder to becoming an international athelete. The start squad shows juniors how to plan training, peak for races and get the most out of themselves. I think that this is really important to get used to and to know about before being thrown into the exsisting British squads, JWOC etc without a clue about how to be a world class athelte; it makes the transition easier. The start squad also make you realise how much can be done relatively easily and means you can start working hard at an earlier age if you want to..although there is not real compulsion to do so in the start squad (also a good thing)
I know that it might not be fair that not everyone gets these oppurtunities, but its all down to funding and lack of...
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ruth - red
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Well said Ruth.
and to counter our anonymous guests idea that the Start squad should do internationals - I totally disagree.
The start squad should focus creating the foundations for a top class orienteer; the training, skills, and techniques. The basics need to be learned before they can be applied in competition, they should be leaned through the Start squad before progressing to the Junior squad where they are translated into effective competetive ability.
There are lessons in history to support this.
Way back when, the junior squad covered 15 - 18 year olds and focussed on technical training not competition.
people of that generation gained good international results at 18 - 20 years old
Then it changed to be 17 - 20s and was more focussed on competing at JWOC. It is my impression that JWOC results fell back during this time.
There was then a return to providing technical training opportunities for younger juniors which has seen JWOC results improve in recent years. The Start squad is the organisation which provides the opportunity to build a sound technical background to be carried forward to international orienteers. To turn its focus onto competion would distract and detract from this.
And a tracksuit is not about showing of or being flashy, it has the effect of makeing people feel part of something, when people feel part of something their involvement, enthusiasm and commitment increases, as a result their achievements increase.
This is immensely apparent in the British Squad at the moment.
and to counter our anonymous guests idea that the Start squad should do internationals - I totally disagree.
The start squad should focus creating the foundations for a top class orienteer; the training, skills, and techniques. The basics need to be learned before they can be applied in competition, they should be leaned through the Start squad before progressing to the Junior squad where they are translated into effective competetive ability.
There are lessons in history to support this.
Way back when, the junior squad covered 15 - 18 year olds and focussed on technical training not competition.
people of that generation gained good international results at 18 - 20 years old
Then it changed to be 17 - 20s and was more focussed on competing at JWOC. It is my impression that JWOC results fell back during this time.
There was then a return to providing technical training opportunities for younger juniors which has seen JWOC results improve in recent years. The Start squad is the organisation which provides the opportunity to build a sound technical background to be carried forward to international orienteers. To turn its focus onto competion would distract and detract from this.
And a tracksuit is not about showing of or being flashy, it has the effect of makeing people feel part of something, when people feel part of something their involvement, enthusiasm and commitment increases, as a result their achievements increase.
This is immensely apparent in the British Squad at the moment.
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Kitch - god
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...its the first step on the ladder to becoming an international athelete. The start squad shows juniors how to plan training, peak for races and get the most out of themselves. I think that this is really important to get used to and to know about before being thrown into the exsisting British squads
so your screwed if you dont get in a squad then
i think that it is pointless at the level it is being provided at, at the moment. for example, in my age, theres 4 girls who are going to become better due to this technical training and the rest of us.....wont? or have to work alot harder to get in similar training....
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Jene - addict
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Jene wrote: in my age, theres 4 girls who are going to become better due to this technical training and the rest of us.....wont?
those 4 aren't automatically going to get a lot better overnight,they're just given more opportunities if they want to. The rest of the people who aren't selected should see it as a very realistic target for the next year. This should result in the whole of british orienteering improving, as everyone is pushing each other on.
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pyrat - [nope] cartel
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Jene wrote:
No that is just a really defeatest attitude. If you really wanted to be in the squad and didn't get in that should give you more motivation to work harder and get in. I only got in the start squad on my last year and other people have done the same as well, Dan Halliday, and others as well probably. What's the point in going "oh, they got in the squad, we may as well just give up then." The start squad gives a great oppotunity to develop technique and advice on training, and the ones that really want to will get a lot out of it, but that doesn't mean to say they will become unbeatable, and some people won't nessecarily go and train well either. Also people improve at different rates, it took me ages to get my technique half decent, but it's not going to happen if you don't stick at it, listen at training sessions, concentrate on what you're doing. There's nothing to stop anybody doing physical training and regional squad trainings and local events are ideal to work on your technique.
so your screwed if you dont get in a squad then
No that is just a really defeatest attitude. If you really wanted to be in the squad and didn't get in that should give you more motivation to work harder and get in. I only got in the start squad on my last year and other people have done the same as well, Dan Halliday, and others as well probably. What's the point in going "oh, they got in the squad, we may as well just give up then." The start squad gives a great oppotunity to develop technique and advice on training, and the ones that really want to will get a lot out of it, but that doesn't mean to say they will become unbeatable, and some people won't nessecarily go and train well either. Also people improve at different rates, it took me ages to get my technique half decent, but it's not going to happen if you don't stick at it, listen at training sessions, concentrate on what you're doing. There's nothing to stop anybody doing physical training and regional squad trainings and local events are ideal to work on your technique.
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Although the people in the squads perhaps get more opportunities than those who are not, it does not mean that they will automatically achieve more. I think it all depends on how those respective people use their situation. If the people in the squad make the most of the support they get then they will of course get better. But at the same time the people who are not in the squads can to a certain extent achieve just as much if they want to. It may take a little more work but at the end of the day if they want it enough, they can get it.
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