The 2012 Go-Ride Conferences came to a close at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester last weekend with a further 100 volunteers attending from clubs in the North West, North East and across Yorkshire.
In all, over 400 club volunteers attended one of six Go-Ride Conferences throughout the country in March and while areas of rider progression, club development and best practice were discussed, the key focus of the day’s activities was on how clubs can best maximise the impact of the Olympics through the Go-Ride Games programme.
These exciting Olympic style events will offer inspired young participants a taste of competitive racing in the two weeks immediately after the games.
British Cycling will provide both practical resources and guidance to clubs who sign up to stage Go-Ride Games, as we look to ensure the next crop of racing cyclists are well catered for long after the Olympic flame has left the capital.
“For us at British Cycling, the Go-Ride Games programme is not just about getting new, young participants interested into the sport, but also into clubs as there is no better place for a young riders’ ability and passion for the sport to progress,” said Andrew Chaston, British Cycling’s Development Manager for Clubs and Volunteers.
“With nearly 100 clubs having already signed up to deliver a Go-Ride Games event, I am hugely excited that young people left inspired by the efforts of our elite athletes will have an obvious avenue for trying cycle sport.
“Our focus will now be to support clubs to make events as high-profile as possible to ensure everyone who wants to try cycling, has an opportunity to do so. Not only this, we want to ensure that our clubs are embedding such opportunities for new riders so as to maximise the legacy of the London Olympics.”
With six locations covered over three weekends, it has been a busy month for the Go-Ride team, but Andrew admits the response from the delegates has made it all worthwhile.
“British Cycling’s continued growth could not be sustained without the ongoing support and dedication of an incredibly enthusiastic network of club volunteers,” said Andrew Chaston, National Development Manager for Clubs and Volunteers.
“Their tireless determination was once again evident in abundance and I am left not only humbled by their efforts, but also extremely confident that they are in a good place to maximise the potential that London 2012 will provide as a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
More information regarding the Go-Ride Games will follow next week.
Further information:
Phone: 0161 274 2070
Email: go-ride@britishcycling.org.uk
