Images: Various
Published: Friday 12th May
The Women’s Fund was launched on International Women’s Day in 2021, providing clubs with an opportunity to apply for funding to support their efforts to increase female membership and volunteers.
With the number of women and girls cycling significantly less than their male counterparts, the Women’s Fund provided an opportunity for clubs to receive funding to support initiatives aiming to increase engagement and retention of female members, and/or to support training for female volunteers, to increase their pool of female role models, with the aim of inspiring and encouraging better representation of women and girls in the sport.
Demand for funding was high, with 17 clubs applying for almost double the amount that was available, creating a challenge for the funding panel, who had to decide how best to allocate the limited resources.
Fourteen clubs were awarded funding, with twelve clubs accepting the offer. Funding was used to pay for training, with First Aid, Mountain Bike Leadership and Coaching Courses proving popular.
Funding has supported ‘come and try and coaching’ sessions at five clubs, and led rides at two clubs, providing supportive entry-level sessions for women and girls to introduce them to a club environment. Three clubs provided an introduction via off-bike social events, whilst seven clubs supported the acquisition of valuable off-bike skills via the delivery of bike maintenance sessions. Funding also paid for marketing and cycling kit/equipment at four clubs.
Final reports indicate a 27% increase in female membership across the clubs who received the funding, demonstrating the Women’s Fund has achieved its aims. Feedback from individual clubs has recognised the increase in female membership helping to re-balance the gender scales, including one club who revealed their committee had also benefited by an increase in its female membership.
Whilst the Women’s Fund can be considered successful in achieving its aims to increase engagement and membership of females, many clubs revealed their interest in doing even more to reach more women and girls. One club expressed a desire to break down the stereotype of mum’s dropping off kids whilst dads get involved; but as this is likely reflective of wider societal expectations of different gender roles, it may be a tough nut to crack. This theme was echoed in feedback from other clubs, including this quote from a participant “I haven’t been on a bike in nearly 15 years because I’ve been too busy pushing a pram!”
Any clubs interested in growing their female membership may be interested in linking in with our Breeze programme, to provide a supportive pathway into club riding. Over the past few years, we have been delighted to see stronger links between Breeze and local cycling clubs being established, with some female club members volunteering as ride leaders, to provide Breeze rides alongside their involvement with the club.
Another tool that may be helpful is our Women and Girls in Cycling Clubs Toolkit. Packed with information, case studies and advice, the Toolkit aims to inform and equip clubs with a better understanding and approach to attracting and retaining female members.
Looking to the future, we have recently re-launched our strategy, which includes a commitment to develop, implement and resource an action plan for the growth of women and girls in cycling. It is our aspiration that our membership and community reflect the demographics of Scotland. With females make up 51% of the population, we have some work to do, but we are looking forward to making a positive change and increasing the opportunities and participation of women and girls across all areas of cycling.
Search for a cycling club in your area here.
To discuss how we can help your club increase the participation of women and/or girls, please email: clubdevelopment@scottishcycling.org.uk
More information on upcoming Breeze Champion training courses can be found here. Email enquiries to recreation@scottishcycling.org.uk
