Cycling mechanic Felix Laufkotter credits the LevelUp coach education programme with giving him the skills and confidence to support the coaching of disabled athletes at Nelson Track Cycling Club.
Felix, who served as a bike mechanic for the NZ Paralympic Team at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, turned to the programme after the club made a proactive move to integrate more Para cyclists. LevelUp offers online modules designed to develop skills and confidence in coaching disabled athletes.
After completing the ACC-supported course, Felix believes he is far better equipped to meet the unique demands of working with Para cyclists.
“I’m more of a mechanic than a coach, but when I was asked to help integrate disabled cyclists into the club and help run a programme for these youngsters, I felt it was important to learn more and build my understanding,” he explains.
“Having previously worked as chief road mechanic for Paralympics New Zealand for a number of years, I already had a good understanding of the different classifications within Para cycling. However, LevelUp helped put into perspective the specific requirements of athletes with different disabilities. This has enabled me to make the necessary bike adjustments so riders can perform at their best.”
The club has since welcomed five disabled cyclists, aged between eight and 25, with a range of disabilities. Felix says it has been rewarding to see such strong integration within the club, with his role focused on helping the riders adapt to the demands of the velodrome.
The knowledge Felix has accrued through the LevelUp programme has helped him make the decision to transition one emerging Para cyclist from a tricycle to a tandem bike – with Felix acting as pilot – resulting in an improved riding experience.
Meanwhile, he added: “I’m working with one young rider to help him feel more comfortable on the bike. One side of his body is slightly shorter than the other, and the LevelUp programme has helped me better understand his needs and adjust the bike accordingly.”
As a long-time bike mechanic who enjoys solving complex problems – something particularly common in the Para cycling community – Felix says LevelUp has been an invaluable resource, and he strongly recommends it to others.
“LevelUp would give anyone involved in coaching or supporting disabled athletes a much better understanding of the full spectrum of disability. We’ve used it at the club to support the integration of Para athletes.
“In the future, I’d love to see Para cycling fully integrated into every club in the country, with disabled young people given the same opportunities as others. LevelUp can play an important role in making that happen.”
About LevelUp
LevelUp is designed to help coaches build confidence, knowledge, and capability in coaching disabled athletes. It includes a series of online modules suitable for both beginners and those looking to develop their skills further. The modules are available on Sport NZ’s learning platform, Sport Tutor, allowing users to learn at their own pace, in their own time. For more info go here.
See LevelUp in action
