Development Programme 2004

The SE Region organises through its Regional Coordinator, Gill Measures, a programme of coaching, training and assessment. The sessions are held at the Royal Albert and Alexandra School, Reigate during school holidays. In addition Gill runs regular sessions at the Chessington Equestrian Centre for the riding. This programme is funded from Sport England through the governing body for the Sport, the Modern Pentathlon Association of GB (MPAGB). The programme has a professional Manager, Stuart Mason MBE and the selected athletes are funded. Opportunities are available for non funded athletes at these sessions to help them to progress towards funding. This programme is known as the Start and Potential programme (SPP). The programme has been running since late 2002. During 2004 the funding will change to UK Sport and an athletes charter will be introduced. In addition to this programme the Region supports an epée fencing group that meets every Tuesday at the RAA school. This group attracts not only pentathletes but also members of fencing clubs that are gaining valuable practice to promote their fencing careers. The MPAGB operates a UK Sport funded World Class performance programme at Bath University. This programme coached Gold and Bronze medal performances at the 2000 Sydney Olympics (Steph Cook and Kate Allenby). The SPP programme will provide the Olympic athletes of the future.

Georgina Harland, from the SE Region is a member of the World Class Performance programme at Bath University. She won a bronze medal at the 2002 World Chamionships and a gold medal at the 2003 European Championships. Sarah Langridge from the SE Region is also a member of the WCPP squad at Bath University.

In the SE Region professional coaches of proven ability are used to coach in all five disciplines of the sport. The current programme is: