Hetton Hawks CC was formed in 2002 by two coaches from the region's coaching workgroup, Cycle Coaching North, as a way of providing more structure to young riders in the North East region. In the South of the region, two clubs provide excellent support for young people in the Tees area through "League 2000", but this was lacking around the Tyne and Wear areas. The chance to use the facilities at Hetton Lyons Country Park meant that coaches could provide training sessions for young riders in safety, away from the main roads.

Hetton Lyons Country Park is a purpose-built facility owned by Sunderland City Council and currently managed by the Springboard training organisation. The site is a former coal mine, but now contains the North's premier cycling facility, providing both on and off-road facilities in an attractive parkland environment. (Go to Gallery for Hetton Lyons Country Park pics)

Providing coaching to young riders is a major investment in the future of cycle sport. In 2004, Hetton Hawks CC formed a partnership with Sunderland City Council and British Cycling to bid for Sport England development money. As a result, a grant in excess of £150,000 has been made to improve the cycling facilities at the park.

The facilities have been improved by the addition of a link road to provide either a open circuit where riders can remain in view, or a small circuit taking in the main climb and descent. Normally, the whole circuit is used for events at just over one mile long. Off-road cyclo-cross barriers have been erected to give even more choice of courses to organisers. The country park is one of the main off-road race venues in the North East.

The jewel in the crown of the facility improvement is the national-standard BMX track, which is due for completion in July 2005. This track will attract a new kind of rider to the park and arrangements are already in place to provide BMX discipline coaching