Junior athletes to be the focus in next phase of selection policy review

As part of its ongoing review of its selection policies for UCI World Championships, AusCycling will embark on a thorough consultation process and detailed review of its junior (under-19) selection criteria. 

AusCycling has engaged high-performance experts Chelsea Warr and Matthew Gilmore to lead the under-19 component of the review over the next months. Their activities will include distributing surveys and holding focus groups with key stakeholders, including athletes, parents, coaches, selectors, sports institutes and technical officials. 

To allow for sufficient consultation, the review will now extend beyond its anticipated March 2025 end date. Selections for UCI World Championships in 2025 will be made under AusCycling’s existing selection policies and discipline-specific criteria. 

The new policies are expected to be implemented in 2026 following this review. 

“In the lead-up to Brisbane 2032, it’s never been more important to ensure our sport’s most talented riders are proactively identified and expertly nurtured,” said Jesse Korf, Executive General Manager of Performance. 

“International competition, particularly at under-19 level, plays a pivotal role in that journey alongside high-quality coaching, expert training and programming, and an inspiring daily training environment. 

“As we kickstart the new Olympic and Paralympic cycle, we want to ensure our selection policies are fit for our future context.” 

Korf said a key focus of the review will be finding the right balance between multiple priorities. 

“Our existing junior selection criteria are guided by the critical role of international competition in developing future medal contenders, particularly in Olympic programs,” Korf said. 

“They also consider broader objectives, such as creating inspiring role models, rider leadership, and the ability to contribute to team outcomes.  

“These principles sometimes conflict, especially where resources are limited and in disciplines without the depth of the Olympic disciplines. This dilemma is not unique to cycling: many sports grapple with the tension between focusing on high-performance outcomes while supporting depth in the junior pathway. 

“The question we want to explore is: how can we strike a balance between upholding rigorous performance standards to drive the progression of our most talented athletes, providing developmentally appropriate competitive opportunities, and meeting the expectations of our broader community?” 

Warr and Gilmore will report to the AusCycling Board and the High Performance Subcommittee. 

Warr has held significant leadership roles in the Australian and British high-performance systems. She brings extensive knowledge and experience in the identification and development of elite sporting talent and the underlying systems needed to foster performance outcomes. 

Gilmore brings a coaching perspective as a former international rider, Olympic coach and an expert development coach who has successfully nurtured many of Australia’s junior cycling teams. 

Questions regarding the review should be directed to Warr and Gilmore at [email protected]. 

Photos: Pauline Ballet / SWpix.com, Javier Martínez de la Puente / SWpix.com, Alex Broadway / SWpix.com