Performance Pathway

Written by Paul Taylor

Sunday, 15 April 2007

Article Index Performance Pathway Page 2 Page 2 of 2 Current situation The success of the London bid to host the Games in 2012 has produced a major uplift in funding and the development of the 'Pathway Programme' developed on 'no compromise principles' by UK Sport during 2005/06.  Shooting has met the funding standards demanded by UK Sport and the 'Pathway Programme' started on 1st April 2007.   The Pathway Programme incorporates and unifies all previous funding streams and shooting has been awarded £4.8m of funding through to 1st April 2009.  Funding after this date will, in large part, depend on results obtained in Beijing 2008.  As at 1st April 2007, GBR has won three Olympic Quota Places and is seeking to double this by the end of the qualification period in September 2007. Elena Little   The programme specifically funds up to 6 'Podium' (previously 'Performance') level athletes and up to 28 'Development' (previously 'Potential') athletes with both programme funding and an Athlete Personal Award (APA).  These personal awards are graded on performance criteria ranging from a maximum of £25k for Olympic or World Championship medallists down to £4,800 for an athlete on level D3 funding.  Athletes are expected to commit significantly to sporting activities as part of the contractual arrangements and an increasing number are now full-time shooters.   Underpinning these athletes are 'Talent and ID' athletes, who are those identified for the future and are supported by Programme funding.  Individual 'Talent' shooters do not receive an APA.  This pool of athletes is akin to a performance 'nursery' and exists to replenish and improve the quality of programme athletes on a continual basis.   The increased programme funding has meant an expansion in direct support staff and coaches to cope with the increased numbers of athletes.  GBR now has two foreign world class coaches in Trap and Rifle.  The rifle coach is supported by the Home Country coaches working together as a team and this principle is being expanded into all disciplines.    This expansion of the Programme has also meant an increase in administrative support staff including a Business Operations Manager, currently being recruited, who will be responsible for programme logistics.  The Programme is overseen by an Olympic Steering Group (OSG) comprising an advisory panel of former Olympians in all disciplines working with the Performance Director to ensure that the Programme delivers 'world's best practice'.     Junior Men's Prone Team World Champions As a consequence, Olympic level shooting has and is undergoing a period of rapid change towards professionalism that is challenging to all those involved and the discipline governing bodies.  Part of this change has been a thorough review by UK Sport of GBTSF, now renamed 'British Shooting' who are now developing the Pathway Programme through to 2012 and beyond. UK Sport is funding further modernisation and development of British Shooting.   'Performance' is a challenging environment for all concerned but it is encouraging to see that we have athletes rising to the challenges in a sport that see new records set at almost every major competition. << Prev - Next

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 17 April 2007 )