Kids Club

Improving bike handling skills - important!

Improving fitness levels -important!

Improving bike maintenance skills - important!

Socialising in groups of like minded riders - important!

Race preparation - important!

Learning about trail etiquette and trail maintenance - important!

Having fun on bikes - ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL!

• All of the coaches leading our sessions are volunteers. Any payments made for sessions go towards buying various important items such as spare inner tubes, first aid kits and (perhaps most importantly) the odd coffee for coaches!
• All of our coaches have recognised guiding qualifications from the Scottish Mountain Bike Leader Association. Some coaches also have Scottish Cycling coaching qualifications. They also hold valid first aid certificates and are PVG checked and have undergone child protection training.
• Most ( but by no means all!) of our coaches are the parents of children taking part in the club. We are always keen to get more parents qualified as coaches. If this is of interest to you then please get in touch. Generally, the club will pay for any courses that you need to do- all you need to volunteer is your time!..

• Parents are very much encouraged to get involved in running the club. Either going out with groups or helping out in a non cycling capacity such as keeping a register of attendees or being a central point of contact in the cafe. Please ask how you can best help out!
• All participants must be members of the West Highland Wheelers and parents must have completed a parental consent form and informed key organisers of any medical conditions/allergies that their child has. This information will be shared on a need to know basis.
• Parents/guardians must be easily contactable and able to collect their child at any time during a session if need be.
• Children need to be wearing a properly fitting helmet ( less than three years old), full fingered gloves and appropriate legwear ( i.e. nothing baggy that might catch in a chain!). We recommend that children wear glassses or goggles to protect their eyes from branches/mud etc.We encourage children to come along with a small snack and drink to have during the session.
• Bike checks will be done before each session, but to help things go more smoothly it is important that children and parents are confident that  bikes are working well on arrival. Properly functioning brakes, pumped up tyres and no metal showing at the end of the handlebars are essential things to have checked.

What is the youngest age that my child can take part?

Kids are able to take part from P3 onwards.It is possible to put your child on the waiting list from P2 onwards.

What is an appropriate bike for my child?

One that is the correct size and in good functioning order. All of our coaches are quite happy to give advice about this as are both of the local bike shops.

Can I hire a bike for the sessions?

Both Nevis Cycles and Off Beat Bikes have bikes to hire.If need be, we can also use Active School's bikes for a small charge.

Do parents/guardians need to stay at Nevis Range for the whole sessions?

It is important that parents/guardians are easily contactable and available to pick up children at any time during a session.

Where is the best place to get a new bike for my child?

Off Beat Bikes and Nevis Cycles are your obvious first stops for buying bikes. The club also holds an annual bike sale every year (normally in November) which is a great opportunity to grab a bargain.

Kids Club Subs are due each term, currently £10 per child.

Code of Conduct for Young People

West Highland Wheelers

WHW is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its users. LWSS believes that it is important that members, coaches, administrators and parents associated with the facility should, at all times, show respect and understanding for the safety and welfare of others. Therefore, users are encouraged to be open at all times and to share any concerns or complaints that they may have about any aspect of the club with Gregor Muir, child welfare officer or Doug Little, chairperson.

WHW strives to offer a positive cycling experience.

As a user, you are expected to abide by the following junior code of practice:

CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO:

• Be friendly and particularly welcoming to new users
• Be supportive and committed to other riders, offer comfort when

required

• Not get involved in inappropriate peer pressure and push others into something

they do not want to do

• Keep within the defined boundary of the riding area
• Behave and listen to all instructions from the adults
• Respect the volunteers and their decisions
• Take care of equipment owned by the facility.
• All users must respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, race, cultural background religious beliefs or sexual identity
• Refrain from the use of bad language or racial references
• Refrain from bullying (this includes bullying on social media, etc.) or persistent use of rough and dangerous behaviour
• Challenge or report the bullying of your peers
• Users should keep to agreed timings for sessions and inform the club if they are going to be unavoidably late
• Users must wear suitable kit – helmet and gloves are mandatory
• Users must pay any fees for training or events promptly
• Show respect to other youth members/leaders and show team spirit
• Keep themselves safe
• Report inappropriate behaviour or risky situations
• Participate fairly and be trustworthy
• Respect officials and accept decisions
• Show appropriate loyalty and be gracious in defeat
• Make thew Bike Park a fun place to be

CHILDREN/YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO:

• Be safe and happy in their chosen activity
• Be listened to
• Be respected and treated fairly
• Privacy
• Be protected from abuse by other member or outside sources
• Participate on an equal basis, appropriate to their ability
• Be believed
• Ask for help

Any misdemeanours and general misbehaviour will be addressed by the immediate coach and reported verbally to the designated person (club child welfare officer). Persistent misbehaviour will result in dismissal from the club. Parents will be informed at all stages.

Welfare officer – Gregor Muir

E mail gregormuir@me.com

Tel 07710721800