The Go-Ride Conferences 2015 will come to a close this weekend, with the final two events taking place in Dartford and Reading. Hosted across the country, the conferences have already been attended by nearly 300 volunteers with another 200 delegates due to attend this weekend.
Workshops were held throughout each of the conferences for coaches, Go-Ride contacts, new and existing young volunteers and club welfare officers. Here, volunteers had the opportunity to get expert advice from British Cycling and contribute to shaping the future of the sport.
During the workshops, British Cycling staff led discussions exploring the ways that coaches can challenge and improve rider performance, how clubs can look to recruit volunteers, the integration of young people in the decision making processes at clubs and opportunities available to young volunteers.
Les Barker from Cyclewise Academy in Cumbria attended the Go-Ride contacts workshop in Durham:
“The workshop gave us the confidence to provide our young people with additional responsibility when it comes to volunteering at our club. This will certainly help when it comes to ensuring that our club is sustainable as we continue to develop.”
British Cycling’s Director of Coaching, Education and Development, John Mills, said: “The workforce of volunteers continues to grow, both in size and in levels of enthusiasm, and this is demonstrated by the number of attendees at this year’s Go-Ride conferences.”
“Club volunteers have done an amazing job in supporting the growth of our sport and the conferences are a great opportunity for us to celebrate what we have achieved and to thank them for their continued commitments.”
In recognition of this dedication over 25 awards were presented to volunteers in recognition of the hard work and commitment demonstrated at their Go-Ride Club, with awards for Club of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Coach of the Year and a Special Recognition Award.
Laura Trott, a world champion who first started cycling at Welwyn Wheelers Go-Ride Club, said: “Without support from the volunteers at my Go-Ride Club, it’s possible I wouldn’t be where I am today. Volunteers are all doing a fantastic job and making a real difference to the sport!”
