Discussion: Boston?
in: iansmith; iansmith > 2015-09-02
Sep 3, 2015 2:33 AM
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The one additional requirement woulda be for members of this group to have jobs that allowed them to be flexible in terms of when they worked and still paid well enough to sponsor their international adventures. This is pretty rare in the US, but much more common ing Europe.
Sep 4, 2015 5:42 PM
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I actually think something closer to the Danish model might be more practical. Put less of an emphasis on having your training center be near a diverse set of maps and terrains, and more of an emphasis on focused training camps. A lot of technique work can be done on dull or familiar maps.
But yes, the need for some flexible way to support yourself is the main thing for your hypothetical athletes. Maybe they can all work online jobs that only take 4-6 hours a day? Or be students majoring in art history or something?
Interestingly, Alaska Pacific University, arguably the best ski club in the country, offers the ability for students to take considerably more than the standard four years to earn a degree. This allows for student athletes to take five months to race on the world cup circuit, attend bi-monthly training camps, and still have access to all the facilities that a university can offer. Oh, and earn a degree at the same time. I don't know how the athletes support themselves while doing this, if I had to guess I'd say their families take the brunt of the costs.
But yes, the need for some flexible way to support yourself is the main thing for your hypothetical athletes. Maybe they can all work online jobs that only take 4-6 hours a day? Or be students majoring in art history or something?
Interestingly, Alaska Pacific University, arguably the best ski club in the country, offers the ability for students to take considerably more than the standard four years to earn a degree. This allows for student athletes to take five months to race on the world cup circuit, attend bi-monthly training camps, and still have access to all the facilities that a university can offer. Oh, and earn a degree at the same time. I don't know how the athletes support themselves while doing this, if I had to guess I'd say their families take the brunt of the costs.
Sep 4, 2015 6:13 PM
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Hope you don't mind me commenting on this. As Boris knows this training centre model is something I believe has to happen soon in North America. Actually Boris started some interesting discussion on Wil Smith's? log earlier this year asking where the best place to XC ski and O was in Canada. We unanimously chose Ottawa. Then there was a discussion where the location should be if a top 100 World Ranked University was part of the equation. That probably becomes Vancouver/Whistler for Canada. Boston was the first choice for the US in both of these. If just O (and top ranked Uni) then Hamilton came out on top in Canada (we have crap XC ski opps).
Why a Uni town? Well the 18-24 age is a critical age for both retention and recruitment for an endurance athletes. ie., when Uni students.
Orienteering Canada actually put developing 1-2 national training centres into their strategic plan. GHO (not DontGetLost) applied to make Hamilton the NTC for eastern Canada. We would fund it by having athletes assist with ARK/ARX coaching and would have kicked in time from our employees. But when we started talking to people there was no 'buy-in' from the athletes themselves. SO we pulled out and developed our ARX group instead.
Why no buy in? I don't think the concept isn't the issue but rather I think the reason is that there just isn't a big enough critical mass. Speaking of Mass, Boston (see what I did there) has shown this 'training centre' can work. When the Harvard, MIT gang were all at school together (Boris, Will, Kenny, etc). They were having fun and racing well (though I'm not sure were training together). Even though they have all moved out of Boston they still race for CSU. That speaks volumes to me anyway.
The other approach is to have the 'O' group join training groups from other sports. That would mean having an 'O' club that isnt' just an 'O' club. There are two that I know of in North America. CSU in hmmm Boston and DGL in hmmm Hamilton.
Coincidence?
Why a Uni town? Well the 18-24 age is a critical age for both retention and recruitment for an endurance athletes. ie., when Uni students.
Orienteering Canada actually put developing 1-2 national training centres into their strategic plan. GHO (not DontGetLost) applied to make Hamilton the NTC for eastern Canada. We would fund it by having athletes assist with ARK/ARX coaching and would have kicked in time from our employees. But when we started talking to people there was no 'buy-in' from the athletes themselves. SO we pulled out and developed our ARX group instead.
Why no buy in? I don't think the concept isn't the issue but rather I think the reason is that there just isn't a big enough critical mass. Speaking of Mass, Boston (see what I did there) has shown this 'training centre' can work. When the Harvard, MIT gang were all at school together (Boris, Will, Kenny, etc). They were having fun and racing well (though I'm not sure were training together). Even though they have all moved out of Boston they still race for CSU. That speaks volumes to me anyway.
The other approach is to have the 'O' group join training groups from other sports. That would mean having an 'O' club that isnt' just an 'O' club. There are two that I know of in North America. CSU in hmmm Boston and DGL in hmmm Hamilton.
Coincidence?
Sep 7, 2015 3:29 PM
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This is a great idea and would be a boon to the athletes (and probably our international results). Boston would be a logical place to try.
Home Depot has some work deal for Olympians to work there part time (?) and have flexible hours for training/competing. I don't know any of the details. Maybe we'd qualify as an Olympic C sport? Or perhaps it's for actual Olympians only. Don't know, but maybe worth looking into. Nuts & bolts are pretty fascinating to work with.
Home Depot has some work deal for Olympians to work there part time (?) and have flexible hours for training/competing. I don't know any of the details. Maybe we'd qualify as an Olympic C sport? Or perhaps it's for actual Olympians only. Don't know, but maybe worth looking into. Nuts & bolts are pretty fascinating to work with.
Sep 7, 2015 7:34 PM
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Critical mass is critical. On the one hand for enabling frequent enough training, but also for providing meaningful competition. It's much easier find the motivation to reach the next level when the next level shows up to your local events every week.
As far as accommodation, just get everyone to move in with Barb and Dave :)
As far as accommodation, just get everyone to move in with Barb and Dave :)
This discussion thread is closed.