British Cycling West Midlands Regional Board launches new facilities fund to help grow racing landscape in the region

British Cycling West Midlands Regional Board launches new facilities fund to help grow racing landscape in the region

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In collaboration with British Cycling’s facilities team, the West Midlands Regional Board has launched a new funding stream.

The Bob Maitland Fund aims to support clubs, sustain and grow cycle sport participation, and the number of opportunities to compete in the West Midlands, with organisations able to apply from £5,000 to £50,000 for their project.

The fund has been made possible thanks to the late Bob Maitland, an Olympic silver medallist. The British cycling great left his estate to British Cycling, and requested that it be used to benefit the development of cycle sport in the West Midlands.

The Birmingham-born cyclist, was a lifelong member of Solihull Cycling Club, joining after winning a junior road race in 1939. From there he went on to set several national time trial records, before becoming part of the silver medal winning team in the road race for Great Britain at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.

His achievements didn’t end there, as he went on to become part of the first-ever British national team to ride the Tour de France in 1955. 

Bob won multiple national road championships throughout his career and was also an avid volunteer. Known for being a quiet and unassuming gentleman, the passion he had for cycle sport was evident to anyone that knew him.

Now, reflected through the funding he left to develop the sport he loved - as part of a legacy in the name of his late wife Muriel Maitland and himself – the Bob Maitland Fund aims to develop high quality, traffic-free cycling facilities to support the growth and development of cycle sport and racing opportunities in the West Midlands.

Amy Gardner, Cycling Delivery Manager for the West Midlands, said:

“This funding will create a lasting legacy for Bob - whether that is supporting future Olympians and Paralympians, or providing more regular and accessible opportunities for people to get involved in cycling across the West Midlands.  

“By investing in facilities in the region, we will be able to introduce more people to the excitement of cycle racing, and ensure cycle sport is accessible for all those who wish to discover the thrill of competition.” 

Applicants must be based within the West Midlands and can request from £5,000 up to £50,000 for their project. The fund is open to all disciplines but priority will be given to road and track-based projects. Application forms can be requested from British Cycling’s Facilities team: facilities@britishcycling.org.uk

For clubs looking to develop a facility to support the rider development pathway from grassroots through to competition, the Places to Ride funding programme is also available for applications.

Places to Ride looks to support organisations that are developing cycling activity in their community and can be used for anything from equipment packages to activate your local space, through to a brand new cycling facility.

Funding from the Bob Maitland Fund can be used, to match Places to Ride funding, should the project align with the objectives of both funds and further information about this fund can be found here.