RAK is an Australian youth cycling development team established in 2003 to help promising young cyclists fulfill their potential. The program provides coaching, training, equipment, travel expenses and aims to develop junior cyclists for professional cycling careers. In 2012, RAK will select 4-6 athletes aged 15-17 to participate in domestic and international races and training camps. The document requests expressions of interest from industry partners to support RAK and the development of future Australian champions through brand exposure and sponsorship.

1. An Australian youth road cycling
development team.
C YCLING TA LE N T E NGIN E E RING
SUPPORT OPPORTUNITY
2 012 >
1 September 2011

2. AUSTRALIAN CYCLING IS ON TOP OF THE WORLD
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3. ...and it’s thanks to the parents, clubs,
development squads and the cycling
community that continues to embrace
a sport so taxing on the body as well
as the resources.
Cycling is as much a passion as it is
a sport. It’s through this passion that
champions emerge from defying the
Welcome to RAK, gruelling intensity attributed to the
sport of cycling. A victory in any
cycling event is fuelled purely by a
an independent sense of achievement. So, it is this
utopic moment of achievement that
inspires kids to pursue cycling as
talent engineering a career.
Unlike mainstream sports, cycling
powerhouse.
is funded mainly by parents and
communities and the occasional
junior development team.
Introducing RAK (Real Aussie Kids)
Cycling Talent Engineering, an Australian
youth development team established to
create future Australian road cycling
champions.

4. The Real Aussie Kids Development Program (RAK)
was the initiative of Businessman, David Morton and
Olympian & Cycle Coach, Graham Seers, who saw a
need to assist promising young cyclists who may
have been overlooked by the State Cycling bodies,
or, for financial reasons, may not have otherwise
been able to fulfill their ambitions in the sport.
RAK is a non-profit organisation based in NSW that
was set up in 2003. It gives talented junior cyclists
Where RAK began access to professional training and elite racing at
a state, national and international level.
and where it is The aim of the program is to move junior cyclists
into the feeder system to professional cycling by
instilling in young athletes an understanding of
headed. the disciplines, commitment and independence
required to pursue a career at an elite level
in cycling.
The goal is not simply to focus on racing but also
to experience the broader aspects of living the
life of a professional athlete, personal organisation,
self discipline, independence, living in a team
environment, dealing with the media and importantly,
to provide for life after the sport through ensuring
academic and personal development as part of
their credentials.

5. T H E R E I S N O B E T T E R T I M E TO G E T I N V O LV E D I N C Y C L I N G
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6. RAK is in the business RAK does this through
of harnessing the athletic an engineering process
potential of Aussie kids that refines latent talent
into seasoned cycling into athletic results.
professionals.

7. Coaching
Mentoring
Counseling
Education
Training
Equipment
Consumables
So what does Sustenance
Travel
it take to turn Accommodation
Apparel
kids into pro’s? Licensing
Race Fees
Insurances
Accessories
Entertainment
Inspiration
Lucky they are just kids!

8. In previous years 10-15 riders are selected
annually to participate in the RAK Program.
In 2012 we will be selecting between 4-6
athletes aged between 15-17, who may not
currently be the best in their age groups,
but display potential and commitment to
their sport. RAK members usually remain
in the program until they reach the
U23 age category.
Riders are provided with coaching advice,
Getting with training camps, assistance with bikes and
equipment, team uniforms, various information
and skills seminars (eg. public speaking,
the program. diet advice, sports psychology, core strength
training etc.), assistance with travel expenses.
How RAK does it. Team members are required to fulfill training
and racing commitments, maintain academic
achievement and participate in community
service activities throughout the year.
The Program includes both domestic and
international components. The centre point
of the program calendar is the annual six
week overseas training camp, traditionally
based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado,
USA. RAK has a two tiered rider program
allowing for development of riders at their
relative level.

9. WE BELIEVE IN MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE
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10. RAK operates autonomously and is funded by
private enterprise and the cycling industry.
Every year that RAK operates, it produces results
in the form of state and national level achievements
and has developed international talent from its
humble operation.
For the 2012 season, RAK is seeking expressions
How to support
of interest from industry partners who are willing
to help drive the commitment to cultivating
Australian and world champions.
RAK and future Through a structured / tiered support program,
RAK is offering supporters the exciting opportunity
to be part of something meaningful.
Australian The following page provides a support matrix that
can deliver appropriate brand awareness across
champions. the RAK livery and involves the supporters
throughout the season.
Through your support, RAK will be able to grow its
talent base and include Australia’s best coaching
and mentoring resources.

11. B D C
B B
A Primary Supporter - 45%
A
B Major Supporter - 30% C D
C Supporter - 15%
D Supporter - 10% A s
L Legacy - Morton Enterprises L
B B
C D C D
A
RAK are exposed to a national audience
when competing at state and national C D
level races. Through the support of apparel B B
partner Babici, your brand awareness will
feature to scale as indicated on the above
matrix.
Whilst RAK serves as a talent feed to
pro-continental and next tier professional
ranks, your brand will be highly visible
amongst key industry bodies and future
commercial partners in the domestic and
international market.

12. RAK strives for as much racetime as possible, giving the team
and its supporters maximum exposure to competitive racing
and media coverage through the domestic and international
events. With RAK’s legacy of top placing and wins, supporters
are exposed to significant brand awareness and coverage.
Proposed Event Schedule 2012
Being involved
Mandatory Events
NSW Hill Climb Championships, Bathurst April
Blayney to Bathurst April
in RAK exposes
Mersey Valley Selection Race, Tasmania April
Optional Events
Australian Mountain Climb, Mt Buffalo March/April
supporters to Australian School Cycling Cup
Canberra Tour
Cronulla Criterium / Series
March
May
December
major race
Junior Canberra Tour July
Glen Innes to Inverell October
Goulburn to City September
coverage. Selection Events
Oceania Track Championships, New Zealand
Oceania Road Championships, New Zealand
November 2011
March
Junior World Track Championships, NZ August
Junior Road Championships, Netherlands September
Colorado Training Camp June – July

13. The RAK team members are managed by their
responsibilities of upholding a professional
standard through their attitude and behaviour.
Each team member is retained through their
acceptance of the RAK code of conduct
commitment, which ensures the team
RAK riders are
members respect their personal commitments
to schooling, family, training, racing
and supporters.
groomed into RAK team members are in the limelight and
RAK understands that despite the pressure to
train hard and retain a strict guideline towards
professional
RAK’s goals, the team members are still kids
with a lifetime of learning and understanding
ahead of them. It is through this delicate balance
that RAK team management have formulated
conduct from a program that inspires kids to be their best.
As ambassadors to the team and its supporters,
day one. the RAK team members are privy to the commercial
expectations of supporters’ brands, products and
exposure. Each team member is responsible for
wearing, using and protecting the brands and
products supplied by RAK supporters.

14. Richard Lang (RAK 2007) – In 2009 Richard won several major Tom Palmer (RAK 2008) – Tom joined RAK’s major sponsor,
national classics and Tour Stages in Australia’s National Road Drapac Porsche Cycling in 2009, having won 3 Junior World Track
Series, including the Sydney to Goulburn, and stages in the Tour Championships in the previous two years. Tom is also a member
of Tasmania and Tour of Gippsland, he has also won numerous of the National High Performance Track Team with his sights set
Sprint Jerseys in 2009. Richard was selected to take up a on the 2012 Olympics. Tom is riding the 2011 as part of the
contract with the Australian Institute of Sport in 2010. He is Drapac Professional Cycling Team.
currently studying Business at the University of Sydney. For the
2011 season Richard has been riding with Team Jayco AIS Dale Scarfe (RAK 2005-2007) –In 2010 Dale secured a position
in a Dutch Team, Wielerploeg de Mol and spent six months living
Lauren Kitchen (RAK 2007-2008) – Lauren has attended two in Dordrecht, Holland, experiencing the excitement and demands
Junior Word Championships and is now a member of the NSW of European racing. He has returned to Australia and is part of the
Institute of Sport and the National Women’s Road Team. Lauren Bikebug.com team in 2011.
competed throughout the USA and Europe in 2010. Lauren is also
A few
studying Town Planning at the University of NSW. For the 2011 Lachlan Morton (RAK Graduate 2009) – After being spotted by
season Lauren is a member of Team Jayco AIS. John Vaughters from Team Garmin at the USA Junior Nationals in
2008, Lachlan has been on their radar every since. He spent the
Sarah Kent (RAK 2008) – Sarah is a member of the AIS Women’s 2010 season riding with the Holowsko Partners Team ( a feeder
Endurance Program and has competed extensively throughout team for Garmin) with great success. He achieved wins in the
success Europe in 2009. Sarah won a gold medal and two silver medals at
the Junior World Track Championships and followed it up with a
Bronze in the World Track Cycling Championships in Poland in
2010. Sarah is also studying at University.
U19 Tour de L’Abitibi in Canada as well as finishing in the top ten of
the Tour of Utah (open). In 2011 he continues to make his mark
riding with the Chipotle Development Team, with success in the
Tour Langkawi 6th GC, Tour of Gila 3rd GC and taking the Young
stories
Rider Jersey in the BMC Cascade Cycling Classic, Oregon USA.
Chris Jory (RAK 2005-2006) – Chris joined the Italian Continen-
tal Team, MG Kvis Norda Pacific in 2009 and spent the year living Sam Spokes (RAK Graduate 2010) – After competing in the
and Racing in Italy, where he competed in the Baby Giro d Italia, Junior World Road Championships last year, Sam continued on in
from RAK.
among other notable races. He hoped to return to Europe again in Europe being offered a ride with a junior Belgium Team. In 2011
2010 to build on the solid results he achieved this year. In 2011 Sam has returned to Europe riding with EPC Quickstep in Belgium.
he is part of the bikebug.com road team.
Ethan Kimmance (RAK Graduate 2010) – Ethan is currently
Brendan Brooks (RAK 2004-2005) – Brendan spent 2009 riding for the Isorex junior team based in Gavere, south of Gent in
helping as manager and rider for a new cycling team with the Belgium.
backing of sponsors. With some very talented riders from all over
Australia and New Zealand, Shortis Tri and Cycle Avanti Plus is
making it’s mark on the Australian cycling scene, with some solid
results in the National Road Series.

15. Introducing the JARED TRIGGS
(17 yrs) Living in
Sydney, Jared is
completing Year 12
JACK BECKINSALE
(17 yrs) Living in
Sydney, Jack is
completing Year 12
NATHAN BRADSHAW
(15 yrs) Living in
Sydney, Nathan is
in Year 10. As the
TOM APTHORPE
(16 yrs) From Inverell,
Tom is in Year 10. Tom
is a new development
BEN FOX
(17 yrs) Living in Inverell,
Ben is in Year 11. Ben is a
first year U19 rider and will
2011 RAK team.
this year. Jared is the over 2 years through youngest rider rider in the team this be looking to Jack & Jared
old man of the team, the Pathways System venturing to Colorado year and will work with to help him step up into the
this being his 4th year. to allow him time to in 2010, Nathan gained Nathan in the the U17 next age category. He had a
Whilst he is continuing combine cycling and valuable racing and age category. Tom won very successful season in
his passion for cycling, school work. training experience. Silver in the 2009 U15 Colorado in 2010, winning
he is very focussed on Moving to U23 Junior Men U17 Road Nationals. several races.
doing well in the HSC Junior Men U17 Junior Men U19
Moving to U23

16. RAK is on a mission to excel at every event in
the 2012 schedule. RAK’s history to date has
been exceptional and it is through these results
that puts RAK team members in a highly desirable
position to be fed into a pro-continental or pro-
recruitment program.
The following mediums will be utilised to promote
the results of RAK:
What exposure 1. RAK website
2. RAK social media (Facebook, Twitter)
will supporters 3. RAK newsletters (Digital)
4. Race results and coverage
5. Local media
receive from being 6. Published media (Magazine)
7. Shared online media (Cycling NSW, Aus etc)
8. Television
involved with RAK?
9. Radio
10. Word of mouth
Whilst RAK team members are busy training to WIN
races, team management are committed to leveraging
the team program, results and news. It is through this
salient media strategy that supporters will benefit
from exposure and brand awareness.

17. IT DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS
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18. To be involved in RAK, please contact:
RAK team manager - Gary Bradshaw
0408 678 803
gjbrad@bigpond.net.au