British Cycling, in partnership with Official IT Partner, Total Computers, has awarded 18 budding coaches with a prestigious sports scholarship for 2022.
With 27% of the intake from a diverse ethnic group (against a coaching workforce statistic of 1.7%) and 50% female (against a coaching workforce statistic of 26%) focusing on eight cycling disciplines over the two-year programme, the 18 scholars revealed today are:
Asma Amla (30; East England)
Lizzie Winton (20; Scotland)
Shahina Chandoo (18; Central England)
Rebecca Trinity Jones (20; Yorkshire)
Chris Dallas (29; Scotland)
Nathaniel Martin (29; South East England)
Kate Mingay (21; Wales)
Rob Rogers (24; North West England)
Hannah Paice (18; South East England)
Tom Cullen (22; Yorkshire)
Henry Latimer (28; Central England)
Meg Chard (23; Wales)
Ben Skaife (18; North East England)
Junaid Ibrahim (29; Eastern England)
Oliver Allen (19; South West England)
Max Holgate (21; East Midlands)
Meg Smith (22; East Midlands)
Henrietta Colborne (23; North West England)
The Total Computers Scholarship programme, unveiled this September - just months after the publication of British Cycling's first long-term strategy for equality, diversity and inclusion, Our Ride - will see each scholar receive access to British Cycling education awards, workshops and personal development opportunities, complemented with exclusive money-can't-buy coaching experiences tailored to the aspirations of each scholar.
Candidates were invited to submit video applications, sharing their stories and what the scholarship would help them to achieve. These submissions were then reviewed by British Cycling staff from the education department and relevant regions before being shortlisted for interview. The interviews offered a chance to learn more about each candidate and their learning aims, but also which qualities they could bring to the programme to broaden the coaching landscape.
British Cycling’s Cycling Delivery Director, Danielle Every, said: “We were really pleased with the level of interest in these scholarships and are delighted with the diversity of the first intake, who are young, hungry and ambitious and from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines.
“Coach development is an incredibly important part of our plans for the future, and we recognise the importance of having a skilled coaching workforce who can create the best possible environment for everyone receiving it.
“I’m so excited to see how this group develops together and with our support. We did, sadly, have to turn down applications from some brilliant people and coaches as there was a limited number of scholarships to offer, but we will have a new intake each year for a further three years.
“I’m really impressed by the makeup of our first 18 scholars, and although a small step towards diversity, we know that changes like this will show the people they coach and others in our communities that cycling is for everyone.”
Aidan Groom, Managing Director, Total Computers, added: “At Total we’re strong believers in helping people to develop their skills and capabilities. So, we’re delighted that the Total Computers Scholarship programme will not only be helping develop some of British Cycling’s future coaches, but that our Total Computers Scholars will be increasing diversity of participation and, we hope, helping to bring new groups to cycling."
