25 April 2024
Throughout 2024 we will once again shine a spotlight on the brilliant effort volunteers make for all forms of cycling. We want to acknowledge the huge contribution volunteers make to cycling and recognise the wide variety of roles undertaken to activate, support, lead, and deliver at all levels.
Each month, we are taking nominations from across the regions and home nations. If you think someone deserves a mention, get in touch on social media, with your respective regional or national teams or via @BCLearningHub on X, formally known as Twitter.
This month we have a range of roles being featured, a Limitless lead and coach and a coach and commissaire.
Name: Stephen Newton
Region: North East
Role: Limitless lead and coach at Stockton Wheelers
Stephen has been instrumental in driving Limitless in the North East. He has taken the ethos and vision and created a highly successful programme for disabled riders at Stockton Wheelers through his sheer dedication and commitment. He leads the programme expertly and passionately and will always get behind a new Limitless initiative. His commitment and support for Limitless has seen the club showcase Limitless at the National Road Championships and at a ParalympicsGB Discover Your Paralympic Potential Day.
He provides ongoing case studies to Limitless, with images and videos of their successful cycling sessions and will always be the first club to provide their quarterly Limitless data, making programme in delivery in the North East an absolute breeze.
Lyndsey Hollands, National Disability Manager says "Not only does he inspire riders, but he inspires other volunteers! If we had Stephen in every region - Limitless would be flying."
The video below shows one of Stephen’s regular riders, Mel, at Stockton Wheelers where she speaks about riding the tandem with him, you can also spot Stephen helping Mel out at our 1 year celebration of Limitless
Thank you to Stephen for all the great work you are doing in the North East and to promote the Limitless programme.
British Cycling Values: Unity, Passion, Integrity, Innovation
Name: Malcolm Cross
Region: South
Role: Coach and Cyclo-Cross Regional A Commissaire
Malcolm runs Wednesday Cyclo-Cross sessions for youth and adults and Thursday off-road rides for youth. Helping to improve technical skills for experienced riders and motivating new-comers to participate in races. This in turn helps develop CX sport in the region with a lot of passion and love!
Malcolm is an active coach with Velo Club Venta supporting the club to deliver the club's go-ride programme when needed but with a very particular interest in coaching cyclocross. Delivering a weekly coaching session either in a structured skills session or alternatively on the trails around Farley Mount near Winchester, Malcolm has an enthusiasm and passion for cyclocross which he willingly shares with riders of all ages within the club. In addition to coaching and developing other riders, Malcolm is a regular racer in the Wessex League when he is not undertaking official duties as a Cyclo-Cross Commissaire. It is evident that Malcolm is in his element when seeing young people developing and progressing as riders. A huge part of this is down to Malcolm and his knowledge, encouragement and constant good nature.
David Martin the chairman of Velo Club Venta says about Malcom: “I am just back from the Venta off-road training ride and the patience and enthusiasm Malcolm has for developing the younger members is quite special. He takes the time to coach, encourage and support them, and as a result, they come back week after week. The cyclocross sessions or the more general off-road sessions are treated with the same level of care and attention, so everyone gets the most out of them”.
Thank you to Malcom for all your work as a coach and commissaire in the South region.
