Aled Davies, Wenvoe Wheelers and Laura Jeremiah win Inspiring Young Person, Club and Coach of the year award at the 2019 Welsh Cycling awards.

The Inspiring Young Person award sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University recognises the younger generation who are intent on making a difference in the sport at the grassroots level.

Tonight’s winner, Aled Davies, a 13 year-old Welsh Cycling Young Ambassador joined Gower Riders in 2015 and has regularly competed in races as well getting involved in volunteering, coaching and helping at Welsh Cycling events.  

During his time as a young ambassador Aled has thoroughly embraced this role, he has volunteered as a bike marshal at Swansea Half Marathon, and has assisted with several club events.

Aled has also taken his first steps towards coaching, assisting with the balance bike sessions. His joyful nature and infectious enthusiasm encourages the club’s youngest members to participate, delivering instructions bilingually to ensure everyone is comfortable taking part.

Wenvoe Wheelers are 2019 Club of the Year

After forming three years ago Wenvoe Wheelers have strived towards making their club open to all ages and all abilities, making their Club of the Year award sponsored by Primal well deserved.

The club has been instrumental in making sure all members are involved in the club from organising rides for experienced riders, right the way through to new people who are getting on the bike for the first time.

Wenvoe also organised their first sportive this year and along with the ever increasing rides for various age groups, Wenvoe have also been heavily active in raising money for local charities.

The success of some of Cardiff JIF’s youngsters can be attributed to the time and effort that Laura has put in over the years and winning the Coach of the Year award sponsored by Frog Bikes is recognition of that.

Laura Jeremiah rewarded for inspiring the younger generation at Cardiff JIF

Described as the ‘driving force’ behind setting up the successful youth side of JIF, which has seen Ella Maclean-Howell win the British MTB title in 2018, Laura has not only been instrumental in Ella’s growth but also other youngsters who are taking up the sport at JIF.

The growth of youngsters wanting to get involved at JIF has meant they have had to move to bigger venue, so they can cater for the twenty to thirty 6-16 year-olds that come every Saturday. Laura has also helped identify and encouraged 5-6 new coaches. Laura’s passion covers multiple disciplines and her passion for cyclo-cross is evident in the amount of youngsters who line-up for JIF throughout the winter at the Welsh Cycling cyclo-cross events.

Laura’s dedication and enthusiasm to seeing people develop in the sport is a driving force behind her win, and with youngster continually developing at JIF a lot of that success is down to Laura.  

Aled Davies said: "I just feel so happy for myself and it will motivate me to do more volunteering in the future."

Wenvoe Wheelers said: "It's amazing really, it's not something we went out looking for but it's nice to be recognised. 

"We are just making fun for people, and having a good time. We have got such a range of ability and that's the great thing and see the club grow in three years has been fantastic."

Laura Jeremiah said: "I'm just delighted for our and club and it's great to be honoured at this evening."