In a bid to boost representation in the coaching workforce – and less than two months on from announcing a partnership with inclusion and digital innovation at its heart – British Cycling and Official IT Partner, Total Computers, are now accepting applications for their newest coaching scholarship – with a particular focus on people from underrepresented groups.
Currently, just 1.7% of the coaching workforce is from an ethnically diverse background, 26% are female, 10% have a life limiting illness or disability and 5% are under 30-years-old.
The two-year scholarship programme will provide up to 14 individuals who are committed to a career in talent or performance coaching with the opportunity to work closely with British Cycling’s performance staff and Education team in order to broaden their understanding of cycle sport and further their personal development.
Scholars will have unlimited access to British Cycling education awards, workshops and personal development opportunities, complemented with exclusive money-can't-buy coaching experiences in a range of high-performance settings.
Scholars will also receive mentoring from an industry expert who will co-ordinate a personalised learning and development journey.
Prospective Scholars have until Sunday 31 October to apply for the scheme before the first intake is announced later this year. Each cohort (starting on an annual basis in January 2022, 2023, 2024 and finally 2025) will have a different focus, meaning any budding candidate will have at least three further opportunities to apply for a Total Computers Scholarship.
British Cycling’s Head of Education, Simon Hibbert, said: “Cycling should be a sport and activity for everyone, and we hope that our commitment to inclusion comes across clearly.
“We’re passionate about using our partnership with Total Computers to improve inclusivity within cycling, and we know that making our coaching workforce more representative will show the people they coach and others in our communities that there are pathways open to them in our sport. We're encouraging applications from disabled people, people from diverse ethnic communities and LGBTQ+ people.
“We look forward to announcing the latest intake of scholars later this year and of course continuing to work with Total Computers for the next four years.”
