Bath Performance Centre

Background

In 1998, as part of the MPAGB World Class Performance Plan, it was identified that there was a need for a high class training centre with world class coaches for Modern Pentathlon if the athletes were to compete with the best in the world.

Following a review of the athletes’ individual training programmes, support services, various sites and locations in the UK , the National Performance Director submitted a draft planning document to UK Sport and Sport England.

Within the plan it was recognised that there would be limited resources available from UK Sport and Sport England and therefore a decision was made to concentrate these resources in one location.

University of Bath and its Department of Sports Development who have had a long history of involvement in Modern Pentathlon, invited British Pentathlon to become one of the founder sports of the English Institute of Sports Training Village project in early 1999.

High Performance Centre for Modern Pentathlon

State of the art Fencing Hall and Electronic Shooting Range for Modern Pentathlon were designed and built alongside an existing 50m Swimming Pool and Athletic Track. This centre, in one location, formed an ideal training base for top British Modern Pentathletes.

Sports Training Village is located on the University of Bath Campus comprising world class training venues for fencing, shooting, swimming, running and conditioning. English Institute of Sports and the University have been continuously developing athlete support area which include applied sport science, sports injury and medicine, with a support team that includes. world class physiotherapists, masseurs, physiologists, sports psychologists, strength and conditioning coaches and video analysts, who have worked with the UK's top athletes and coaches to improve performance

University of Bath is one of the highly recognised educational institutions in Great Britain. Athletes eligible for the World Class Performance Programme have the opportunity to combine their academic preparation with a professionally managed training programme.

The Future

National Training Centre in Bath regularly hosts British competitions and UIPM International Qualification competitions. The Modern Pentathlon Association of Great Britain are aiming to host World Cup events and major championships in the future at the facility.

Training and competition facilities of the Pentathlon GB National Training Centre based at the University of Bath will improve substantially with the completion of the currently built Combined Event venue. Combined Event has been newly introduced to the sport in January 2009 transforming fundamentally the classic Modern Pentathlon competition format created by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern era Olympic Games. Open air facility for air pistol shooting and running has been designed in close collaboration and partnership with the Estate Development Department of the University of Bath.

UK Sport's leadership and its Performance Directorate support has been pivotal in negotiations to release the University of Bath land - former live ammunition shooting range - which is being converted into a contemporary training and competition Combined Event facility.

Sport England has been investing in development of our sport for longer than a decade helping Pentathlon GB find its home in the state of the art Fencing Hall, an integral part of the University Sport Training Village which has been open since 2004. Most importantly Sport England provides funding for complete build of the Open Air Combined Event training and competition facility for Pentathlon GB in Bath.

We are thankful for support generously provided by the British public and via Sports Lottery and Exchequer funding in preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games staged in London. British Modern Pentathlon teams will benefit greatly from this initiative hopefully finding so much needed edge over the opposition. Once completed later this year, the Combined Event facility at the University of Bath is likely to be the first dedicated open air venue in the World.

Update April 2010

The open Air Combine Event training and competition facility is in advanced stage of development. The range will comprise 18 sheltered shooting positions and safe target area suitable for various types of capture devices. Concrete shooting platform covered by plastic carpet will enable alternative use of cross-country spikes.

Spacious double access gate will connect the Range with adjacent green field ideal for running. Surface of the facility will be grassed reinforced with plastic floor mats will allow for all weather use.

I am glad to inform you that construction works continue on schedule. We are hopeful that the end of April 2010 completion date will be met.

Academy

Established in 2003 the Pentathlon GB Academy is situated in Gloucestershire at Hartpury College which is an Associate Faculty of the University of the West of England. Modern Pentathletes and athletes with potential can join the Academy to combine academic study on a range of courses.

The Academy is run by the National Development Coach Bernie Moss, who is responsible for the delivery of the specialist coaching. Riding takes place within the Hartpury Equine facilities overseen by the Chief Instructor. Members of the Academy join the Gloucester swimming club at reduced rates. Running training is within the grounds of the College and at the track in Gloucester. The shooting and combined event training takes place on a brand new purpose built outdoor range. There are opportunities to fence at the National Training Centre (NTC) on some evenings during the week.

As a Pentathlon Academy student you have access to the Hartpury Academy of Sport's sport science support. This includes fitness testing, sports medicine and strength and conditioning resources.

There is a regular and structured training programme with the aim of getting the best out of each individual athlete. Regular assessments and feedback on progress are given as individuals and groups.

There are opportunities to access the AASE programme that allows study and training to be adapted to the benefit of the individuals. There is also the possibility of scholarships. Further details and an application can be downloaded here.

The Academy currently acts as a feeder to the NTC at Bath University. For more information about the exciting prospects available at Hartpury Modern Pentathlon Academy and the further and higher education courses available to study please visit their website.