British Cycling, in partnership with Official IT Partner Total Computers, is pleased to announce the awarding of 23 coaching scholarships for 2023.
Following a huge number of applications, a diverse group has been selected to help us grow cycling in Britain, with the aim to increase participation amongst all communities. This year, a huge increase in applications from women has led to 14 scholarships being awarded (61% of total), with 26% from an ethnically diverse group, 26% identifying with a disability, and 8% from the LGBT community.
The group will now begin their two-year journey with British Cycling in January 2023, starting with an induction event at the National Cycling Centre, closely followed by a coach development day at the National Track Championships.
Rose Sakutombo, a new scholar from London, said:
“Cycling is my hobby, passion, and lifestyle. I first learned to cycle on a Brompton bicycle two years ago and since then, I have immersed myself within the world of cycling, opening myself up to different cycling experiences over various disciplines.
“I am so excited to embark on this scholarship programme with British Cycling, which adds a new and exciting dimension to my cycling journey. Through the new experiences, mentorship, and development opportunities that this scholarship offers, I hope to develop myself as a coach whilst encouraging and supporting others in their cycling journeys too. I am both humbled and grateful for the opportunity afforded to me by British Cycling and Total Computers. I cannot wait to start this new next chapter.”
Manchester-based scholar Paul Pryce, 56, said:
“I am excited to have the opportunity to develop my ability to share the joy and freedom of cycling with people who may not otherwise get the opportunity to engage with quality cycle training and experiences. I look forward to learning new skills that will enable me to build on the ones I already have, and I hope to establish an inner city cycle club and regular event that can give people the opportunity to try different disciplines.”
British Cycling’s Education Delivery Manager and Project Lead for the Total Computers Scholarships, Robbie George, said:
“Following an exhaustive process, I am so pleased to offer the scholarship opportunities to a really exciting group. Not only is it a diverse group in terms of gender, background, and age, but also cycling discipline and development outlook. We have some scholars who want to develop communities, others looking to develop within the talent and performance space, and others from BMX freestyle. Scholars will have the opportunity to link in with our team at British Cycling, into local projects and programmes, as well as develop as a group together.
“Many of the scholars have already shown great initiative and innovation to develop and support existing cycling opportunities and I’m excited to see how the Total Computers Scholarship programme can take them to the next level.”
The 2023 cohort will join up with the existing group of 17 scholars, who began their journey in 2022.
George continued: “The group that started with us in 2022 have been phenomenal, diving headfirst into all the opportunities on offer – from supporting at grassroots, to Talent ID days with our Talent team, or assisting Great Britain Cycling Team coaches at events. Watching their enthusiasm for developing themselves and others has been a great pleasure and is providing ideas for how we develop all coaches moving forward. It’s incredibly exciting to see how they now support the 2023 intake to grow each other and opportunities in cycling together.”
Information about applying for the 2024 will be available in the summer of 2023.
