Celebrating Progress

Why celebrate progress

It's important to reward riders and recognise their achievements. It's also a great way to incentivise riders, wether they are just starting out on balance bikes, or tackling advanced skills on the road or BMX tracks.

Ways to celebrate progress

There are many ways to celebrate progress.

As coaches, we try to offer positive, encouraging words to riders during sessions. Sometimes a simple well done or high five in the moment is the best form of immediate feedback and encouragement.

Some clubs like to offer tangible incentives, such as water bottles, jerseys, cycle shop vouchers or a round of ice creams (or hot chocolate in winter months!).

The Youth Development Framework contains three opportunities to celebrate progress.

• Levels - When a rider completes a level, for example the Balance Level
• Rewards - When a rider completes a certain skill or experience (see all Rewards)
• Awards - When a rider demonstrates certain attributes. You can award young riders for their performance, attitude and contributions (see all Awards)

For more information on the framework structure, see our guidance on how to use the framework.

Issuing level certificates

Each level contains a level certificate. These are likely to work best at Balance and Pedal level, when the riders are a bit younger. However, you know your riders best, so we'll let you decide.

You might hand out certificates as riders complete levels. Or you might choose to set up a sort "graduation" and celebrate all together. Your club will need to decide the best way to do this.

Issuing Reward certificates

You'll find that some skills and experiences across the levels contain optional Rewards certificates.

These are to celebrating achieving something. Such as riding to a new place or understanding the ABC check.

Your club will need to think through which rewards you plan to give to riders on their developmental journey.

Issuing Award certificates

Some skills and experiences contain optional Awards certificates.

Racing awards are tied to performance at races. Other awards are not tied to a particular achievement. Instead they recognise positive attitudes and behaviours across different themes:

• Safety & Awareness
• Fitness & Endurance
• Personal Development
• Supporting Others
• Participation & Leadership
• Community Engagement
• Innovation & Creativity

You might want to issue awards at different times, for example:

• Weekly
• Monthly
• End of year celebration

Your feedback and questions

We'd love to hear what your club does to celebrate progress, or if any questions you have. Just email us.