Great Britain Cycling Team’s female coaches share their insights into how they’re changing the game.
Great Britain Cycling Team coaches Kaarle McCulloch, Helen Scott and Emma Trott have an impressive track record between them, with 33 years of combined professional cycling experience and 10 years of coaching so far.
Each of them has racked up countless achievements, including numerous Olympic and Paralympic medals and eight track and para track world championship titles. In their combined 10 years of coaching so far, they have supported riders to achieve four junior world titles and two world championship medals, with plenty more to come.
As part of International Women’s Day, these game-changing women discuss their coaching philosophies, what drives them as coaches, and how they are helping to shape the next generation of female cyclists by taking a people-first approach to their athletes.
Junior Women’s Endurance Coach, Emma Trott, who coached Zoe Backstedt to five world champion titles in 2022, discusses what she sees as being successful in her role:
“I’d like to hope that when they leave our set up, they’re well-rounded people and that they go and be successful in the world. Some will go and be Olympic champions, some will go and be really successful in the big world and that for me is why it’s my favourite part of the job - because there’s success whichever way you look at it.”
Helen Scott, Paralympic Foundation Coach, who was on the GBCT Paralympic programme herself as a tandem pilot for 12 years, describes her coaching philosophy as: “To create informed, consistent, passionate athletes who are really enjoying what they’re doing.”
Having joined the Great Britain Cycling Team as a podium coach less than a year ago, Kaarle McCulloch has already made a substantial impact on the trajectory of the women’s sprint squad, who medalled at the World and European Championships. For the first time since 2012, the women’s team sprint squad are on track to qualify at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
She said: “For women in particular, having a really clear strategy is something that’s just been so empowering. Everybody’s on the same page and that power of women supporting each other is something really special and I really feel strongly that this women’s sprint team will produce something that’s pretty special in Paris and beyond.”
You can watch the full video here:
If you have been inspired to get involved in cycling, either participating, coaching or volunteering, you can find helpful information on how to get involved on the British Cycling website.
