World Class Performance Pathway

On 1 April 2006, UK Sport assumed full responsibility for all Olympic performance-related support in England, from the identification of talent right the way through to performing at the top level to help improve performance and drive success in the future.

In taking on this new responsibility, and remaining focused on a 'no compromise' approach, UK Sport will operate a World Class Performance Pathway at three key levels:

World Class Podium Programme
World Class Development Programme
World Class Talent Programme
The West Midlands has 4 athletes on the World Class Performance Pathway:
World Class Podium Programme

This Programme supports sports and athletes with realistic medal capabilities at the next Olympic Games (i.e. a maximum of four years away from the podium). 

Nick Woodbridge from Wellington, Shropshire has been selected for the World Class Podium Programme.  Nick was introduced to Modern Pentathlon in 1999 and is now based at the University of Bath where he undertakes a rigorous training regime in his quest for an Olympic gold medal. Nick considers his major achievements to date to be:

2006 - World Cup #1 Bronze Medal;
2004 - Youth World Champion;
Selected for Youth A World Championships for 4 consecutive years;
Selected for Junior Europeans when still a Youth B athlete;
Winning National Championships
 
 
World Class Development Programme (WCDP)

Charlotte GrandfieldThis Programme supports the stage of the Pathway immediately beneath the Podium Programme.

Charlotte Grandfield hails from Market Drayton in Shropshire and has been selected for the World Class Development Programme.  Charlotte was introduced to Modern Pentathlon in 2002 through the Pony Club and is still an active member of the North Shropshire Branch.  Charlotte is now based at the High Performance Centre for Modern Pentathlon at Bath University and considers her major achievements to date to be:

8th individual at the Junior World Championships (whilst still Youth A);
Team Bronze World Championships, Italy 2006;
Team relay Bronze, World Championships, Italy 2006;
Team Relay Gold, Europeans Poland, 2006;
Individual 13th World Championships, Italy 2006;
1st Millfield International, 2006;
8th International Swiss Championships, 2006;
1st Millfield international 2005 Pentathlon and 3rd Tetrathlon;
Youth B European team 2003 and 2004;
2nd Pentathlon Championships 2004;
British Pentathlon Champion 2003;
2nd British Tetrathlon Championships 2004

 

World Class Talent Programme (WCTP)

This programme is designed to support the identification and confirmation of athletes who have the potential to progress through the World Class Pathway with the help of targeted coaching through centralised training.

It is expected that these athletes will have the right attributes to go on and effectively compete effectively on the world stage.

Courtney Hyde from Alvechurch in Birmingham has been selected for the World Class Talent Programme.  Courtney is another athlete who was introduced to the sport of Modern Pentathlon in 2004 through competing in Pony Club triathlons and tetrathlons. Courtney is an active member of the West Warwickshire Branch of the Pony Club.  Courtney considers her major achievements to date to be:

2nd British Tetrathlon Championships, 2008
3rd British Tetrathlon Championships, 2007
1st British Triathlon Championships, 2006;
3rd British Tetrathlon Championships, 2006;
3rd British Pentathlon Championships, 2006;
1st British Pentathlon Championships, 2004;

 

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS)

TASS is an additional scheme working alongside the World Class Performance Pathway.

The intention of the scheme is to help talented athletes who wish to progress with a formal academic programme but maintain an involvement in performance sport.

Robert Flack from Whitchurch, Shropshire was introduced to Modern Pentathlon in 2002. Robert considers his major achievements to date to be:
1st British Triathlon Championships, 2005
5th at the British Tetrathlon, 2005 - it was my first ever tetrathlon;
Competing in the GB Youth International at Millfield 2005 and coming 2nd in the relay;
Winning the Olympic Hopes competition, 2005