Developing the first formalised coaching framework for BMX freestyle

The Source had their sights set on international expansion, and to support their journey they wanted to access sport coaching development expertise from the University of Brighton. Coaching expertise was essential to the development of formalised BMX training programmes, because no recognised training provision existed for BMX freestyle or skateboarding sports, which have an informal following and related ‘street culture’.

The development of this unique training provision required sport business management, destination branding and sports marketing expertise. The project aimed to enhance the learning aspects of BMX and skateboarding, encouraging greater levels of participation in both these sports and driving business to the skate park and to Source's retail store and e-commerce site. 

Activity fell into two key areas; the first was to develop a nationally recognised and formalised coaching programme for BMX freestyle, and the second was to link the coaching offer to further diversification and innovation in the existing retail business.

The company were able to access multidisciplinary university expertise to guide the design of a coaching framework from scratch, in a creative, but not rule-bound sport, laying a blank canvas for a training programme.

The Source team found out about the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme and quickly established a three-way partnership project (a KTP) with an academic team from the University of Brighton's School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences. The project offered a new insight into sports pedagogy, which the Source were keen to understand more as a business.

As freestyle BMX is creative in its nature, developing a coaching framework held intrinsic challenges, however, the academic team had a particular interest in junior coaching at grassroots level and the promotion of physical activity, which this project gave a unique entry point to. 

Expertise from the University of Brighton School of Sport and Health Sciences and Centre of Sport, Tourism and Leisure Studies (CoSTaLS) included:

• Dr James Wallis, Knowledge Base Supervisor – expertise in the theoretical basis of physical education and sport pedagogy, the coaching of junior athletes, learning theories and reflective practice 
• Harvey Ells, Lead Academic – specialises in teaching and researching SME branding, consumer behaviour and supply chains. He has experience of managing business diversification, project management, succession planning and training and development in both the retail and hospitality sectors 
• Adam Jones, Supporting Academic – expertise in sports business management and destination marketing.

The KTP outcomes exceeded the company’s expectations. Business outputs include:  

• Certified REQ status for the Coaching Pathway for freestyle BMX and skateboarding as part of the coaching framework developed in the KTP 
• Development and set up of the Facilitator Course and Level 1 course for freestyle BMX coaching 
• Production of all teaching and learning materials associated with freestyle BMX coaching and skateboarding 
• Consultation on retail aspects within the Source store and across operations and business decision making processes 
• Utilising University of Brighton Broadcast Media expertise for global live streaming of BMX and skateboarding events. 

In addition to the KTP, two student projects ran alongside the project to support its goals. The Source were awarded with the Queens Award for Enterprise in 2018, in the field of international trade.   

The success of The Source also made them subject of a 2018 film, The Source Park Documentary.