Athlete Performance and Development
BNL offers an Athlete Performance and Development program to encourage excellence in sport and help our provincial athletes develop to their full potential.
The Coaching Staffs of these teams aim to provide training plans, races, and travel opportunities to further develop their athletes skills and prepare them for National Events including the Canada Summer Games!
Cycling Activity
Athlete Development is for all ages and abilities. In NL, there are so many different types of cycling activities which include, but not limited to:
Cycling Activity Categories
| Cycling Activity | Description |
| Youth Cycling | As the provincial governing body for the sport of cycling, BNL is focused on developing lifelong recreational and competitive riders across the province. Through our affiliation with Cycling Canada, we assist people who would like to work with children and youth through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Certifications, Can Bike, Hop In, iBike Camp and other Canadian cycling programs. Whenever possible, we offer guidance, networking and liability insurance for groups offering youth group rides, camps, races and other programs. |
| Women’s Cycling | BNL is promoting cycling as a sport and as a means of transportation among girls and women in NL. We know that more women will ride bikes when they feel it is safe to do so in their communities. BNL advocates for community efforts that will promote safety on our roads through active participation in the community, cycling-specific events, and engagement with the media. |
| Older Adults – Healthy Aging | Canadians are living longer and healthier lives. NL has one of the most rapidly aging populations in the country. Just as the number of older adults is growing, the number of older adults in NL involved in cycling is also expanding. Physical activity is one of the five key determinants to healthy aging identified by Health Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/seniors.html. Cycling fosters healthy aging. As an aerobic activity, it offers many health benefits (https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/cycling-health-benefits) such as better health, strength building, weight control, and decreased stress. Cycling is also easy on the joints, and it promotes social well-being. |
| Group Rides | The objective of a group ride is to attract participants who wish to improve their cycling skills in a relaxed atmosphere, socialize and make friends. A coffee break, held partway through each ride, is a time for lively, fun chats. Participants must be a member of BNL. All participants must wear a helmet and appropriate cycling apparel. An approved activity has the approval of BNL and is on record.For more information about how to organize an “Approved” group ride anywhere in the province, please contact info@bicyclenl.com. |
| Para-Cycling | Para-cycling is the sport of cycling which has been adapted for cyclists who have physical disabilities. It includes athletes who have a visual impairment, cerebral palsy, amputations and other physical impairments. In the sport of para-cycling, tandem bicycles are used by visually impaired individuals. Other para-cycling events involve the use of tricycles or hand cycles. As is the case at the Olympics, competition at the Paralympics is held on a track (velodrome) and on the road (https://paralympic.ca/sport/para-cycling/). Cycling has been part of the Paralympic Games since 1992. Every four years, premier Canadian Paralympic athletes have the opportunity to represent Canada at the Paralympic Games (https://cyclingcanada.ca/national-team/para-cycling/). BNL works with ParasportNL to help promote participation in cycling by persons with disabilities. For more information contact ParasportNL at parasportnl@gmail.com. |
Canada Summer Games
BNL’s High Performance Teams
BNL’s High Performance Teams are made up of athletes and coaches from across the province who have the potential and desire to train and work towards competing at provincial and national competitions (including the Canada Summer Games). Athletes will be provided with training plans, travel opportunities and racing opportunities to increase their skills, foster sportsmanship and build the NL cycling community. We are looking to make our NL athletes stronger, faster and more competitive on the Atlantic and National stage.
Both Teams are overseen by BNL’s Director of Coaching, John Hancock, coach@bicyclenl.com
Road High Performance Team Head Coach
Eric Stock – nlroadcyclingcoach@bicyclenl.com
Mountain Bike High Performance Team Head Coach
Nick Ryan – mtbcoach@bicyclenl.com
Canada Games (https://www.canadagames.ca/)
The Canada Games brings together more than 2.000 able-bodied athletes and athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities for the largest amateur multi-sport event in the country. Alternating between winter and summer, they span over 30 different sports to showcase the very best in Canadian sport and spirit. The next Canada Summer Games are to be jointly held between the cities of Moncton and Saint John, New Brunswick, tentatively between July 27 and August 12, 2029.
The following Athletes represented TEAM NL at the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s, NL. These athletes earned their spots through hard work, dedication and consistent performances:
Road Team
- Courtney Abbott
- Portia Curone-Afanassiev
- Lincoln Harris
- Cass Parsons
- Mick Cutler – Head Coach
- Amber Critch – Assistant Coach
- Gillian Russell – Manager
The Road Team competes in the following races at the Canada Games:
- Road Race
- Time Trial
- Criterium
Mountain Bike Team
- Sophie Cote
- Lydia Parsons
- Rory Greene
- Ian Organ
- Austin Whelan
- Connor Carrigan (alternate)
- John Hancock – Head Coach
- Nick Ryan – Assistant Coach
- Laura Edwards - Manager
The Mountain Bike Team competes in the following races at the Canada Games:
- Cross Country
- Sprint and Relay.
Team Expectations
Your selection as a member of the High Performance Team requires you to be an ambassador for BNL at any sanctioned cycling event you compete at as a member of the High Performance Team. You are to hold yourself accountable for your attitude and performance as you represent NL and BNL. You will be expected to follow the training plan prepared by your coaches (and remain in constant contact with them to determine if it is at the appropriate level), attend team meetings and events, attend the NL cycling races in an attempt to improve racing skills, and attend off-island training and competition the coaching staff plan for each year. You need to hold a UCI license annually to be able to compete off-island and in national competitions.
Contact
For any questions on athlete performance and develpment - coach@bicyclenl.com
