Nicole Rochefort, the new High Performance and Events Assistant at Cycling BC recently sat down with Richard Wooles the National Track Team Coach before he headed off to Melbourne to answer a few questions.
Q: Richard, how did you end up in Vancouver BC Canada?
A: Andrea, my wife, and I met at the 1994 Commonwealth Games. I was very luck to meet Andrea then. The rest is history and two kids later, home is Canada now!
Q: As you lead Canadian Cycling Association’s Track Cycling Programs for Youths to Elites from BC, what does the next 12 months look like for you?
A: This year is full on – we need to win Olympic medals. This is always the goal in year 4 of an Olympic cycle. The Games is our showcase to the world, local government, and sponsors. We are building our youth programs; therefore this will be my main focus after the London 2012 Olympic Games. We keep building Cycling as a Sport, it’s on the up, and we need more kids taking up cycling. Our focus is to build for a better tomorrow.
Q: You have been doing this 26+ years right? What drives you?
A: PASSION! It drives us all. We need a better pathway for kids and riders coming into the sport. I want to be able to say I helped a little in someone’s life so they can be the best they can be in sport and life. THIS IS WHAT I FEEL HAPPENED TO ME, I had support from some really special people back in Wales when I was coming into the sport and pursuing it as a career.
Q: The Canadian Track Team is currently in Melbourne getting ready for the UCI Track Cycling World Championships, what’s it like?
A: It’s a great place! They love cycling, and the level of intensity around sport is fabulous. We are focused and ready for battle. Bring it on!
Q: People say you are obsessive and are too focused on cycling and results, what are your thoughts on this?
A: I love this and thrive on it. I feel it is a mindset, an attitude, a way of thinking and behaving. It’s our sport, our business, and we are here to make it better for the kids that take up cycling so we have a healthy sport in the years ahead.
Q: What’s one thing that will make Cycling better for the riders of today and future riders?
A: Our key is small daily improvements – look at yourself each day and say “what can I do to help, not get in the way?” Cycling is the best sport ever.
Q: How have you changed since getting into the sport?
A: I now take responsibility for making things better and improving the sport. Before I was blaming others. If you don’t like something, make it better or “on your bike” as they say in Britain (sort of “move on”) and I am 20 lbs bigger 🙂
Q: What are the keys to building a great team?
A: Surround yourself with “A” players and set the tone. I have been lucky to have great people help me build something special.
I have been very lucky to meet some great people like Bernard Leroux & Haywood, the Adera group and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory among several others. Can’t forget to mention my family and many other great people who know who they are. THANK YOU! And bring on the next 5 years…
Q: Socialmedia do you use it?
A: Just starting – look for me on Twitter and Facebook – slow to start, but great way to follow what’s going on!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Richard-Wooles/100002323428228
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/RichardWooles
Q: A few parting words of wisdom?
A:
- “If you try you might, but if you don’t you won’t.”
- “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say”
- The way to build a team isn’t to worry about your competitors.
- The back of the medal is for everyone that helped out .
- Don’t settle, keep making things better.
- Under promise and then over deliver.
- Aim high – There can only ever be one winner.